Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2003
Source: Orillia Today (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/sc/orillia/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1508
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

FORGET POT AND PROTECT KIDS, MINISTER URGES OTTAWA

Ottawa should pay more attention to implementing a national sex registry 
and less on reforming pot laws, says Ontario Public Safety and Security 
Minister Bob Runciman.

In a media statement Thursday, Runciman crowed about provincial steps taken 
against sex offenders, while accusing the federal government of dragging 
its heels "for years."

"It's absolutely mind boggling - decriminalizing marijuana is more 
important to the federal government than the safety of innocent children," 
he said.

Ontario's sex-offense registry, established in April 2001, requires sex 
offenders living in Ontario to register their addresses with local police 
within 15 days of leaving custody.

Runciman slammed federal proposals, which he says fall far short of the 
Ontario model.

He pointed out that federal proposals would not require rapists convicted 
before the law takes effect to register, and would not allow police to 
identify past offenders in areas where new crimes occur.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager