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Paul's note: In past elections I encouraged and received submissions from
various parties. This time round, the only election messages sent to
sust-mar came from the Green Party (hopefully not an indication that the
environment is not an issue for the others). For a less partisan view, the
Sierra Club press release (#3 below) analyzes and rates the environmental
performance of federal political parties.
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1. Frank de Jong: GREEN PARTY TO TAKE MARIJUANA OUT OF CRIMINAL CODE
2. Joan Russow: GREEN PARTY LEADER ARRESTED IN QUEBEC
3. Sierra Club of Canada: GREEN PARTY WINS EC0-OLYMPICS
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From: fdejong <fdejong@greenparty.on.ca>
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 18:40:56 -0300
THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
LE PARTI VERT DU CANADA
244 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2G2
1-888-6GREEN6 Fax: 416-929-7709 gpc@green.ca
MEDIA RELEASE COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREEN PARTY TO TAKE MARIJUANA OUT OF CRIMINAL CODE
Russow clarifies Drug Policy
VICTORIA -- October 27, 2000 -- Green Party of Canada Leader Joan Russow
today clarified the Green Party of Canada's drug policy. In doing so, she
hopes that it will encourage a public discussion on these issues during the
election.
The Green Party sees a clear distinction between marijuana use and the
other so-called "recreational" drugs. Elected Greens would work with others
to take marijuana out of criminal code and manage distribution in much the
same way as beer or wine. Public distribution and consumption would be
regulated, while small-scale production and possession would be allowed.
As with other intoxicant, operation of machinery on public roads while
under the influence would remain a criminal offense.
Green Party Leader, Dr. Joan Russow, recalls the Party's long time support
for industrial hemp. "Current marijuana laws create needless red tape which
impedes a growing industry." She added that industrial hemp should be
handled by the government more like wheat and barley is today -- without
the red tape and expense enforcement of strict limitations on production.
Possession of other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy,
etc. would be decriminalized, while distribution would remain a criminal
offense. Addiction to these substances will be dealt as a health rather
than a criminal matter. The focus of Green Party policy is to encourage
treatment for addiction, rather than to punish addictive behavior. This
"Harm Reduction" approach is consistent with other progressive
jurisdictions such as Great Britain and Holland.
Russow said, "Current Canadian drug policy is both ineffective and results
in enormous social and fiscal expense. 'Harm Reduction' results in lowering
overall health costs on health care, as well as eliminating costs
associated with criminal enforcement -- policing, espionage, courts,
incarceration."
Canadians are reminded that while the Green Party has advocated reform of
Canadian drug laws since 1984, these policy proposals are only a small part
of the Party's overall platform which also address the environment,
economic justice, equitable distribution of resources, peace, health and
human rights.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Joan Russow,
Cell: 250-415-7004
Ottawa: 613-722-3485 (October 24 to 29)
David White, Press Secretary,
Phone: 250-598-0071, Fax: 250-598-0994
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 01:21:38 -0800
From: era@pinc.com
Subject: [GPC-COUN]: GREEN PARTY LEADER DETAINED
MEDIA RELEASE COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREEN PARTY LEADER DETAINED
"Time to Consider the Real Issues," Says Russow
QUEBEC CITY-- November 18, 2000 -- Joan Russow, Leader of the Green Party
of Canada, was arrested 3:30 PM EST, Saturday November 18, 2000, and was
detained for 3/4 of an hour. Russow was visiting the jail which is being
emptied to accomodate the anticipate protesters against the Free Trade Area
of the Americas (FTAA) meeting in April, 2001.
It is anticipated by the organizers of the FTAA meeting that this Quebec
City jail will be needed to detain the peaceful protesters expected at the
FTAA meeting.
Quebec police said it was against the law to take a picture of the jail.
The police also took away the film from a Le Soleil photographer who was
present.
"My arrest and the Quebec City jails show that the Chretien Liberals are
preparing to turn Quebec City into a battle ground against its own
citizens," said Russow.
The FTAA is a major step in expanding corporate control and subsequently in
reducing our sovereignty and control over our economy. It means
deregulation and devolution of powers to corporations. It will be another
blow to the environment as these corporations promote waste, contribute to
climate change, and produce toxic and hazardous materials. A Green
government would dismantle the WTO and abrogate NAFTA and the Free Trade
Agreement.
"Corporate control of the government should be the Number One Issue in this
election," Russow added. "Chretien acts as a corporate lackey with his
trade junkets all around the world, selling Candu reactors to regimes with
gaustly human rights records. Canada's human rights record was tarnished by
Chretien at APEC. The Canadian Alliance has accepted vast amounts from
corporations too, with $25,000 a plate dinners. The NDP has done nothing
when given the chance to speak out as provincial governments."
"That is why we are the only real alternative for voters," Russow said.
"Unlike the other previously elected parties, we don't accept corporate
political donations and consider these donations as being corruption. I
challenge the other parties to come out and say where they stand on these
vital trade issues."
Russow was accompanied by Jean-Claude Balu, the leader of Parti Vert du
Quebec, and other Party officials and Green Party of Canada candidates.
Russow had also taken a photograph of the jail and when the police
aggressively demanded the photograph from her, Russow refused and put the
photo in her pocket. The police then detained Russow and placed Russow in a
detention cage for 45 minutes.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Joan Russow, Leader
Cell: 250-415-7004
David White, Press Secretary,
Phone: 250-598-0071, Fax: 250-598-0994
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Frank de Jong <fdejong@greenparty.on.ca>
Subject: [GPC-AN]: Green Party wins Eco-Olympics -- Sierra Club
Sierra Club of Canada - Media Release
First Round of Eco-Olympic Medals Awarded to Federal Political Candidates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2000
OTTAWA: Environmental groups issued the first round of Eco-Olympic Medals
awarded to those who are both standing Members of Parliament and challengers
based on personal achievements.
“We went the route of Eco-Olympics, because traditionally it is hard to
gauge a party by its election promises. On the other hand, many individuals
within Parliament make huge efforts to improve the fate of environmental
legislation and push for change, but go virtually unnoticed”, explained
Elizabeth May of the Sierra Club of Canada.
The only Team (ie Political Party) GOLD medals went to the Green Party and
the Canadian Action Party. BRONZE team medals went to the New Democratic
Party and the Progressive Conservatives. The other parties did not merit
medals, although many individuals within the parties were winners of
numerous medals. In all, 39 federal candidates received medals. Two were
disqualified.
As well as rewarding MPs who have been strong environmental champions, the
groups, organized by Sierra Club of Canada, also acknowledged those who were
disqualified from competition through preliminary DRUG screening — with DRUG
an acronym for “Dreadful, Regressive, Un-Green.”
The top Gold medallists were those from the Standing Committee on
Environment and Sustainable Development. Veteran member and former
Environment minister Charles Caccia was the run-away winner, streaking
across the Eco-Olympics with four gold medals. Coming a close second with
three Gold medals each were Liberals Clifford Lincoln and Karen Kraft-Sloan
and Progressive Conservative Environment critic, John Herron.
Those with the worst environmental records, eliminated from competition,
were Alliance Party environment critic Rahim Jaffer and Prime Minister Jean
Chretien.
The medal standings were as follows:
GOLD Medals
NDP— 9
Liberals — 8
Progressive Conservative — 1
Bloc Quebecois – 1
Natural Law Party –1.
SILVER Medals
Liberals – 7
NDP – 3
Progressive Conservative – 2
Bloc Quebecois — 2.
BRONZE Medals
Liberals — 3,
Alliance — 2 ( in a tie)
All told, Liberal MPs and new candidates topped the medal categories at 18
individual medal winners (with some receiving multiple awards), the New
Democratic Party came in with 12 Eco-Champions, again with some multiples,
Progressive Conservatives — 4, Bloc Quebecois –3, Alliance –4, and Natural
Law Party , 1. Again it should be noted that no individuals medals went to Green
Party candidates across Canada as they are all seen as Gold medal winners
through the team GOLD.
-30-
For more information:
Sierra Club of Canada, (613) 241-4611
Let the Games Begin!
Inspired by Speaker of the House, the Hon. Gib Parent’s call to open the
House of Commons with the invocation, “Let the games begin!,” a national
coalition of environmental groups is awarding medals for those candidates
for federal Parliament who have Olympic calibre-achievements in
environmental protection. In order to assist Canadians in identifying
political contenders with a strong environmental track record, medals are
being awarded for the following categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
on an individual or
team (political party) basis. As well some candidates have been rejected
from Eco-Olympic competition. In a satirical extension of the Olympic theme,
some candidates are being identified as particularly anti-environmental
through “preliminary DRUG screening.” In this case, “”DRUG” does not refer
to illegal substances, but is an acronym for “Dreadful, Regressive, Un-Green.”
None of the medal awards constitute endorsements. In fact, in some ridings
more than one candidate has been recognized for environmental
accomplishments. Nor does the medal race favour one party over others. It
is, however, an attempt to increase voter awareness of the environment as an
election issue. Those candidates who are multiple GOLD medal winners deserve
the thanks and
praise of Canadians from coast to coast for working, sometimes without
support of their own caucus, to give Canadian children a brighter, safer and
healthier future.
TEAM MEDALS:
GOLD:
Two “teams” — otherwise known as political parties — merit a team GOLD MEDAL:
1) GOLD to the Green Party. Under the leadership of team coach Joan Russow,
the Greens have strong positions on all critical environmental issues.
Beyond that, the party embraces an alternative economic vision of
sustainability and equity. While other parties are graded on performance, we
award the Green Party a GOLD medal in recognition of its persistence and
commitment. All
Green Party candidates across Canada are hereby entitled to claim GOLD in
the Eco-Olympics in their personal and team capacities.
2) GOLD to the Canadian Action Party: Paul Hellyer’s lonely long-distance
run for GOLD deserves credit for identifying the increased clout of
corporations over environmental and other domestic regulation as a result of
the Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. His
party’s call to abrogate the agreements and withdraw environment, education
and health care
from the current negotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in
Services (GATS) at the World Trade Organization merits a GOLD.
BRONZE:
3) The New Democratic Party merits a bronze medal for their performance in
opposition (although if medals were given for party platforms, as opposed to
performance, the NDP would merit GOLD). The NDP failed to reach a team GOLD,
because their focus in the House during Question Period competition was
rarely on the environment. Still, outstanding work by a number of superior
eco-competitors within the NDP team earns them a BRONZE medal.
BRONZE:
4) The Progressive Conservative Party rates a BRONZE medal in this
category. Although team coach Joe Clark has not been long in the
Eco-Olympics, his record as Prime Minister was strong on environmental
values, and the team’s environment critic earned praise for dogged pursuit
of Eco-Olympic GOLD.
It should be noted that the Liberal Caucus Olympic hopefuls in the
Synchronized Clapping competition were edged out of the medal categories.
Personal GOLDS for eco-athletes who put the environment ahead of voting
along party lines saved the Liberals from this relatively ignominious medal
category.
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The preceding message was posted on Sustainable Maritimes (sust-mar)
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