Pubdate: Sat, 23 Apr 2005
Source: Tri-City News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Janis Cleugh
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MIXED FEELINGS ON KEY ISSUES, SAYS MP SURVEY

Tri-City residents are split on their support of the U.S. missile defence 
system, same-sex marriage and legalizing prostitution, according to numbers 
released last week by MP James Moore.

The Conservative MP for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam asked 
constituents eight questions in a non-scientific survey printed in local 
community newspapers and 51% of respondents said they were in favour of the 
missile defence program. On the question of supporting same-sex marriage, 
56% of respondents voted in favour while 47% said prostitution should be 
legalized.

The sharp divide "shows the community is wrestling with these questions," 
Moore said.

But the results were clearer when it came to the issue of marijuana: 93% of 
respondents said laws against pot growers should be tougher while 62% said 
they were against decriminalizing weed.

As well, 66% of respondents said the Tories are "on the right track."

The questions were chosen because they are topical, Moore said. (The 
federal Liberals passed a recommendation at their policy convention last 
month to legalize prostitution and decriminalizing pot is now before 
parliament). "It's worth me knowing what the views of my constituents are 
on these issues," Moore said.

The MP also said one out of 10 respondents attached letters to their 
surveys to articulate their views on the subjects. "Some of that stuff was 
really interesting - stuff I hadn't thought of before or they had different 
experiences to add to the debate," he said.

Moore noted, however, that the poll is not scientific. The two newspaper 
surveys were paid from Moore's parliamentary budget.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman