Pubdate: Thu, 05 May 2005 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Mia Rabson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) PREMIERS TO KEEP EYE ON OTTAWA Drugs, Mad Cows On Agenda Street drugs, mountain beetles and mad cows are on the official agenda at the western premiers conference in Alberta this week. But behind the scenes, the ongoing political turmoil in Ottawa is expected to take centre stage. Before departing for the conference in Lloydminster yesterday, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said it would be highly unlikely the political junkies at the meeting won't spend a lot of time informally debating the sponsorship scandal and whether there should be a federal election this spring. The premiers, from the four western provinces and the three territories, represent all federal parties but the Bloc Quebecois. Doer said he didn't think the uncertainty in Ottawa will affect the discussions in Lloydminster. "We want to work and get things done with the minority Parliament and that's what we'll do," he said. The meeting will, however, be a little more lacklustre than normal. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who was to have chaired the meeting, bowed out this week due to a respiratory infection and British Columbia's Gordon Campbell is in the middle of an election campaign at home and will only be there today. Doer said Campbell's absence Friday may mean Friday's meetings accomplish little but he said there is a lot to discuss, including developing a co-ordinated strategy on crystal meth. Manitoba, B.C. and Alberta have announced they are looking at legislation that would make it harder to buy products containing ephedrine, the main ingredient in crystal meth, by restricting where they can be sold or putting them behind the counter in stores. But Doer said for legislation to have the best effect, all jurisdictions need to go the same route. Manitoba has also asked Ottawa to consider increasing maximum sentences for production or trafficking of crystal meth from the current 10 years to life in prison. Tory leader Stuart Murray said Doer is going about this all wrong. "We should be looking for a mandatory minimum sentence, not an increase in the maximum sentence," he said. "The maximum penalty can be raised but what does it help if no one ever gets the maximum?" Murray asked. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin