Rising policing costs are prompting Esquimalt councillors to call for a meeting with their counterparts in Victoria. "It's giving us a real budget problem. In order to reduce the 9.9 per cent to something more manageable we're going to have to do something about it: either cutting services or delaying projects that we want to do," Esquimalt Coun. Hy Freedman said. Esquimalt's budget for 2007 could result in a 9.9 per cent property tax increase, largely driven by an increase of just under $425,000 for its share of police costs. [continues 316 words]
If Keith Martin had his way, the Capital Region would become home to a safe-injection site for intravenous drug users. "I've been pushing for a safe-injection site like the one in Vancouver," the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca said in recent interview. Both new and earlier evidence has shown that safe-injection sites are beneficial, Martin said. The more recent evidence essentially corroborates earlier evidence showing that safe-injection sites reduce crime in areas such as break-and-enters and auto theft. [continues 245 words]
Esquimalt has secured funding along with other municipalities to tackle the ongoing problem with crystal methamphetamine. The municipality is receiving $10,000 from the Union of B.C. Municipalities, part of a provincial government plan to address the crystal meth problem. Esquimalt has so far received $7,500 and the balance will be handed over once a report is compiled for the Community Responses to Crystal Methamphetamine program. The money Esquimalt receives will be pooled together with cash received by other Greater Victoria-area municipalities and treated as a region-wide program, said Esquimalt Mayor Chris Clement. [continues 456 words]
Esquimalt has secured funding along with other municipalities to tackle the ongoing problem with crystal methamphetamine. The municipality is receiving $10,000 from the Union of B.C. Municipalities, part of a provincial government plan to address the crystal meth problem. Esquimalt has so far received $7,500 and the balance will be handed over once a report is compiled for the Community Responses to Crystal Methamphetamine program. The money Esquimalt receives will be pooled together with cash received by other Greater Victoria-area municipalities and treated as a region-wide program, said Esquimalt Mayor Chris Clement. [continues 465 words]
It's not a good time to get busted for marijuana possession now that Stephen Harper is the prime minister. When the Liberals held power in Ottawa, they drafted legislation to decriminalize possesion of small amounts of marijuana. But the Conservative Party and Harper have indicated an intention to scrap that planned legislation. Harper recently expressed that position at the annual Canadian Professional Police Association conference in Ottawa. "Harper adheres to this notion that society should morally sanction people who use illegal drugs," said Keith Martin, the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. [continues 405 words]
It's not a good time to get busted for marijuana possession now that Stephen Harper is the prime minister. When the Liberal Party held power in Ottawa they drafted legislation calling for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. But the Conservative Party and Harper have indicated an intention to scrap planned legislation. Harper recently expressed that position at the annual Canadian Professional Police Association conference in Ottawa. "Harper adheres to this notion that society should morally sanction people who use illegal drugs," said Keith Martin, the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. [continues 510 words]
It's not a good time to get busted for marijuana possession now that Stephen Harper is the prime minister. When the Liberal Party held power in Ottawa they drafted legislation calling for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. But the Conservative Party and Harper have indicated an intention to scrap planned legislation. Harper recently expressed that position at the annual Canadian Professional Police Association conference in Ottawa. "Harper adheres to this notion that society should morally sanction people who use illegal drugs," said Keith Martin, the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. [continues 504 words]
According to Statistics Canada, more than 4.5 million Canadians smoked marijuana in 2004. The Conservative Party and Prime Minister Stephen Harper intend to scrap legislation decriminalizing marijuana. Harper recently expressed that position at the annual Canadian Professional Police Association conference in Ottawa. "Harper adheres to this notion that society should morally (penalize) people who use illegal drugs," said Keith Martin, the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. Martin has called for the decriminalization of marijuana since he was an MP for the Reform Party. [continues 468 words]
It's not a good time to get busted for marijuana possession now that Stephen Harper is the prime minister. When the Liberal Party held power in Ottawa, it drafted legislation calling for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. But the Conservative Party and Harper have indicated an intention to scrap planned legislation. Harper recently expressed that position at the annual Canadian Professional Police Association conference in Ottawa. "Harper adheres to this notion that society should morally (penalize) people who use illegal drugs," said Keith Martin, the Liberal MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. [continues 508 words]
Wrestling And Boxing Come To The Legion Learning boxing or wrestling is much more productive than getting involved with gangs or illegal drugs. While that idea is a no-brainer for most youth, some young people don't always see it that way. That's why Victoria City Wrestling, Olson's Martial Arts and the Rock Solid Foundation are teaming up to promote boxing and wrestling events on Friday and Saturday at the Esquimalt Legion. "The idea is to provide some positive some positive alternatives to drug use and gangs," said Trevor Davis, professional wrestler and owner of Victoria City Wrestling. [continues 553 words]
The Vancouver Island Compassion Society doesn't restrict its activities to providing medicinal marijuana to people suffering from various illnesses. The non-profit organization held its first annual winter coat drive to help keep the homeless population safe from the cold weather. The society's membership of more than 500 who use medicinal marijuana for various illnesses participated in the winter coat drive. "We always seem to be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to cold weather... so we decided in November to start collecting for this winter drive," said Phillipe Lucas, the society's director. [continues 201 words]
Fred Mallach wants to go to Ottawa. The federal Marijuana Party candidate for the Victoria riding is convinced that he has a shot at winning in the riding in the Jan. 23 election. The reason Mallach said he thinks he has a chance of winning the Victoria riding because more and more Canadians think that marijuana should be either decriminalized or outright legalized. Malloch cited the "paradox of pot" as his reason for running. "What I mean by that is something that's so insignificant in the grand scheme of things can occupy so much time and completely cause our justice system to grind to a halt," he said about how marijuana-related charges clog up the courts. [continues 146 words]
Some people might be shocked at the idea of pregnant women smoking marijuana to deal with nausea. But a U.K.-based medical publication, Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, has taken the idea seriously and published a study by the Vancouver Island Compassion Society. The Victoria-based society, which provides medicinal marijuana to people suffering from various illnesses, recently completed the study, which examines the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. The study argues that marijuana is an effective method to deal with nausea and vomiting with pregnant women. [continues 428 words]
Some people might be shocked at the idea of pregnant women smoking marijuana to deal with the nausea that comes with pregnancy. But a UK-based medical publication, Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, has taken the idea seriously and published a study conducted by the Vancouver Island Compassion Society on the topic. The Victoria-based society, which provides medicinal marijuana to people suffering from various illnesses, recently completed the study that examines the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. The study argues that marijuana is an effective method to deal with nausea and vomiting with pregnant women. [continues 440 words]
