Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2005
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Bruce Campion-Smith, Ottawa Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PM'S PLEDGES ENDANGERED IF VOTE CALLED

Many Still In Parliamentary Pipeline

Marijuana Laws, Cash For Cities At Risk

OTTAWA--"Promises made, promises kept."

It was Prime Minister Paul Martin's mantra during the Liberal convention 
last month.

But if he hopes to use it as a slogan in a spring election campaign, he's 
going to need Parliament's help in turning some Liberal pledges into 
reality -- and fast.

The promise of legalizing same-sex marriage, financial help for cities, 
stiff laws to protect children, a national daycare program, relaxed 
marijuana legislation and tougher rules to help catch pot-smoking drivers 
could all die on the order paper if the government is defeated over the 
coming weeks.

High on Martin's list of endangered pledges is his vow to let Nova Scotia 
and Newfoundland and Labrador keep billions of dollars in offshore energy 
revenues -- a pledge he first made in the heat of last year's election.

The agreement, known as the Atlantic accord, is wrapped up in the budget 
implementation bill now before the House and is at risk if a snap election 
is called. However, it's almost certain the political parties would reach 
some agreement to pass the accord before they went door-knocking in 
Atlantic Canada, looking for votes.

It's less certain what happens to the Liberals' new deal for cities and the 
promise to share gas tax revenues with Canada's cash-strapped cities.

The Feb. 23 budget laid out Ottawa's intention to act on the long-demanded 
plan to give towns and cities a slice of federal gas tax revenues, starting 
with $600 million this year.

But this cash, which would provide a shot in the arm for Toronto's transit 
system, is contingent on the budget bill getting passed. Given the 
Conservatives' past reluctance to share gas tax revenues directly with the 
cities, it's not certain they would agree to get this passed with an 
election in the offing.

Another imperilled pledge is Martin's defence of the Charter of Rights and 
his vow to bring in a law that would permit same-sex marriages while 
guaranteeing no church would be forced to conduct such ceremonies. With the 
Conservatives, Canadians would find a party dead set against same-sex marriage.

Martin has promised a greater role for Canada in the world but documents 
that spell out just what the role might be -- defence and international 
policy reviews -- have been delayed for months amidst reports of backroom 
quibbling over what they should say. There's still no public date set for 
their release.

A promised overhaul of access to information legislation meant to open up 
Crown corporations and officers of Parliament to greater scrutiny has 
already stalled. Last week, the government said there's too much 
legislation already in the pipeline and instead proposed more consultation.
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MAP posted-by: Beth