NICHOLSON SAYS NO TO LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson came to Kelowna to give a
colleague a hand and to make it clear that the Conservative Party has
a tough on crime agenda.

Nicholson was the guest speaker for Conservative Kelowna-Lake Country
MP Ron Cannan's fundraising dinner Saturday at the Coast Capri Hotel.

"Ron Cannan is an outstanding member of parliament," Nicholson told
the roomful of Conservative party members and supporters.

"It's not just a coincidence I am out here. I appreciate the support
that he has delivered."

Cannan and Nicholson, who hails from Niagara Falls, both represent
regions with vibrant wine industries.

Nicholson credited Cannan for helping do away with the federal excise
tax on Canadian wine. He also praised Cannan for helping with the
government's crime agenda.

"He has been consistently supportive of what we have been trying to
do to get tough on violent crime in this country," he said to loud applause.

Speaking with reporters after his speech, Nicholson said the recent
gang violence in the Lower Mainland has got politicians of all
stripes focusing on crime.

He expressed his hope that as a result, the government will be able
to get its recent crime bills passed.

"This is a terrible tragedy what is taking place in the Lower
Mainland. At the same time we seem to have had the attention of all
political parties now. I hope it sustains. We have to get it passed
not only the House of Commons but in the Senate as well and that's
always a challenge," he said.

The Conservative government has tabled legislation which would
mandate automatic first degree murder charges for gang-related
killings and introduce stiffer penalties for drive by shootings,
attacks on police and the production and distribution of illegal drugs.

Nicholson also rejected the notion that legalizing marijuana would
eliminate the incentive for criminals to grow and distribute the
drug, and in the process reduce gang violence.

"We won't be legalizing marijuana. We believe that previous
governments sent out the wrong message on this," he said.

"We're going to be taking some very firm measures against people who
produce drugs, manufacture drugs, people who ship drugs out of this
country or import drugs into this country. We're sending a very clear
message to them that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated."

The B.C. government has asked Ottawa to make further changes to the
law, by eliminating the two for one credit suspects get for time
spent in jail while awaiting trial, and to make it easier for police
to intercept electronic communications.

"I listened to them very carefully," Nicholson said of the changes,
while being careful not to say whether his government is willing to
implement them.

"I pointed out to the attorney general for British Columbia that in
the previous parliament, when we had five bills there at once, it was
very hard to get anything done, so I'm taking it one step at a time."

For his part, Cannan acknowledged that economic concerns are probably
at the top of his constituents worries but said being protected from
criminals is still very important to them.

"Right now obviously the economy is the biggest issue," he said. "But
combined with not only having a strong economy is having safe communities."