Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Freelancer
Contact:  http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733
Author: Rosemary Austen, Editor, Mayerthorpe Freelancer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

MP MERRIFIELD CALLING FOR EARLY ELECTION

"This Will Be a Key Election in Our History"

Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield swept the constituency last week giving 
the electorate fair warning that a federal election is likely on the horizon.

"I believe that this is the direction we are heading," he revealed.

The local MP says a non-confidence vote may come as early as Tuesday 
and maintains a Christmas election is very probable.

"I predict sooner rather than later, the Prime Minister said he would 
call a election 30 days after the Gomery Report was made public and 
we are holding him at his word," Merrifield exclaimed.

He believes the sponsorship scandal will be a pivotal issue at the polls.

"This is the worst corruption in the highest level of government 
we've seen in our western democracy," he says.

Merrifield believes that over $100 million dollars went missing in 
the wake of the Liberal ad scam known as the sponsorship scandal.

"They stole money from the electorate and funneled it directly into 
the Liberal coffers," he exclaimed.

Merrifield even went as far as to say the Liberal won the last two 
elections on 'dirty money.'

"The Liberals will do anything to cling to power, they are desperate."

He questions if Canadians will stand for a fraudulent government.

"No matter what happens in the election, it will be a turning point 
in Canadian History," he says noting a vote for Liberals is a vote 
against honest government.

Shifting away from the election Merrifield made a point to brush on 
the key issues facing the Yellowhead constituency saying "our riding 
has been put on the map in a very significant way."

He then pointed to March 3.

"I watched as the nation mourned," he said.

He believes the tragedy shows how important it is that the criminal 
justice system has "teeth."

"The justice system failed the families of these officers. In the 
wake of this tragedy we (Merrifield and the families of the slain 
officers) want changes to the criminal justice system in a more partisan way."

He concluded saying justice reform will be a big issue heading into 
the next election.

Merrifield also talked about BSE and softwood lumber.

"It is clear these issues are not about health or safety or dumping 
they are about protectionism," he maintains.

He says it is time the Federal government played hardball with the Americans.

"It is in our best interest to start to diversify," he exclaimed, 
noting that Canada must look for more reliable trading partners such 
as China. He also believes oil will be a key bargaining tool in trade 
negotiations, pointing to oil and gas reserves such as the northern tar sands.

Crystal meth abuse also emerged as a key issue in the Merrifield 
dialogue. He pointed to a number of statistics and said it's "scary." 
"This is a big issue in this constituency. Users are becoming 
addicted to this stuff the first time they try it."

He believes Meth is an issue that affects every single individual.

Hoping to curtail this trend he is working to pass stricter laws that 
will help RCMP prosecute meth offences. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake