Alberta cities want to hash out details on dealing with fallout from legalized marijuana Who's going to do what, who's going to pay for what?" Barry Morishita, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association The newly elected president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Barry Morishita, said the NDP government has been good at keeping municipalities in the loop as it works through cannabis legalization. But the Brooks mayor said municipalities are still looking for answers in some areas as the July 1, 2018, deadline for legalization moves ever closer. [continues 627 words]
Issues to be resolved include licensing, zoning and added cost of enforcement Cities and towns across Alberta are looking for details - and possibly cash - from the provincial government in anticipation of legal recreational marijuana next year. The newly elected president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Barry Morishita, said the NDP government has been good at keeping municipalities in the loop as it works through cannabis legalization. But the Brooks mayor said municipalities are still looking for answers in some areas as the July 1, 2018, deadline for legalization moves ever closer. Money, as usual, is a major issue. "Who's going to fund the cost of services from the change in legislation?" Morishita said in a recent interview. [continues 599 words]
Alberta's NDP government has no position on decriminalizing hard drugs but is open to the conversation around the issue, associate health minister Brandy Payne said Monday. As Ottawa moves toward legalizing recreational cannabis next year, recently elected federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has called for the decriminalization of personal possession of all drugs to help combat the escalating problems with opioids. Speaking to reporters, Payne said Alberta has not looked at the idea of decriminalization, noting that the designation of drugs as legal or illegal is a federal responsibility. [continues 483 words]
The Alberta Party says a network of publicly owned cannabis stores will cost at least $168 million, a price it says is too steep to pay when the private sector is lined up to serve the market when recreational marijuana is legalized next year. The NDP government has mandated that legal weed be sold in stand-alone stores but has not yet decided whether to set up government-owned and operated stores or allow private retailers. In a news release Monday, Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark pegged the cost of a public system at $168.4 million. [continues 383 words]
It doesn't make sense to invest (public) money to set up infrastructure here. Premier Rachel Notley won't say which way her NDP government is leaning when it comes to sales of legal cannabis, but she insists the province is carefully weighing the merits of both the public and private sector options. Under its policy framework unveiled last week, the NDP will allow recreational marijuanato be sold only in stand-alone stores once it is legalized next year, but the government is still weighing whether to set up a system of government owned and operated stores, or leave retail to the private sector. [continues 478 words]
Premier Rachel Notley won't say which way her NDP government is leaning when it comes to sales of legal cannabis, but she insists the province is carefully weighing the merits of public- and private-sector options. Under its policy framework unveiled last week, the NDP will allow recreational marijuana to be sold only in standalone stores once cannabis is legalized next year, but the government is still weighing whether to set up a system of government owned and operated stores, or leave retail to the private sector. [continues 274 words]
CALGARY - Premier Rachel Notley won't say which way her NDP government is leaning when it comes to sales of legal cannabis, but she insists the province is carefully weighing the merits of both the public and private-sector options. Under its policy framework unveiled last week, the NDP will allow recreational marijuanato be sold only in stand-alone stores once it is legalized next year, but the government is still weighing whether to set up a system of government owned and operated stores, or leave retail to the private sector. [continues 361 words]
Alberta Federation of Labour says public system creates better jobs, more revenue The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling for the NDP government to set up a system of government-owned and operated cannabis stores in the province when recreational marijuana becomes legal next year. With Alberta's policy framework for legal cannabis released earlier this month, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said the province will only allow stand-alone stores to sell legal weed but it is still weighing whether to set up government-owned facilities or leave retail to the private sector. [continues 528 words]
CALGARY The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling for the NDP government to set up a system of government-owned and operated cannabis stores in the province when recreational marijuana becomes legal next year. With Alberta's policy framework for legal cannabis released earlier this month, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said the province will only allow stand-alone stores to sell legal weed but it is still weighing whether to set up government-owned facilities or leave retail to the private sector. [continues 505 words]
Justice minister set to unveil policy framework for legalized marijuana Alberta companies are eagerly waiting to see whether they can do business under the provincial government's plan for legal marijuana. On Wednesday, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley will unveil the NDP government's policy framework for cannabis once the Trudeau government legalizes recreational marijuana on July 1, 2018. Among the areas expected to be addressed by the government are the legal age for consumption, pricing and how cannabis will be distributed and sold in the province. [continues 531 words]
Public asked to pipe up on marijuana rules The NDP government is weighing whether to set up government-run stores to sell marijuana in Alberta or leave the market to private retailers once recreational cannabis is legalized next year. Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley unveiled the government's proposed framework for legal weed Wednesday, with the province setting 18 as the legal age for consumption - matching the age for alcohol and tobacco use in Alberta. The province will also mandate that legal weed be sold only in standalone stores, with no sales of alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals in the same facility. [continues 447 words]
Rules for legal weed set minimum age at 18, allow use in public places The NDP government is weighing whether to set up government-run stores to sell marijuana in Alberta or leave the market to private retailers when recreational cannabis is legalized next year. Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley unveiled the government's proposed framework for legal weed Wednesday, with the province setting 18 as the legal age for consumption - matching the age for alcohol and tobacco use in Alberta. The province will also mandate that legal weed be sold only in stand-alone stores, with no sales of alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals in the same facility. [continues 789 words]
Minister announces policy framework, says legal age to consume will be 18 CALGARY - The NDP government is weighing whether to set up government-run stores to sell marijuana in Alberta or leave the market to private retailers once recreational cannabis is legalized next year. Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley unveiled the government's proposed framework for legal weed Wednesday, with the province setting 18 as the legal age for consumption - matching the age for alcohol and tobacco use in Alberta. The province will also mandate that legal weed be sold only in stand-alone stores, with no sales of alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals in the same facility. [continues 523 words]
'I don't really think that's on the table,' minister says The NDP government says it isn't considering raising Alberta's legal age of 18 for drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco as it develops its policies around legal marijuana. Alberta Health Services, in its written submission to the government's consultations on legal cannabis, suggested the province consider a minimum age of 21 for marijuana consumption, and potentially raise the drinking and smoking tobacco age to match. But outside a meeting of Premier Rachel Notley's cabinet at McDougall Centre, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said changing the legal age for alcohol consumption is not on the agenda. [continues 119 words]
Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley says she's not expecting "complete consensus" as Alberta prepares to release its plan for legal cannabis in a matter of weeks. As the federal Liberal government prepares to legalize the recreational use of marijuana on July 1, 2018, it falls to the provinces to deal with issues such as the minimum age for consumption and how pot will be distributed and sold. In written submissions to its cannabis secretariat, Alberta's NDP government has heard wide-ranging options for how retail sales of marijuana should be handled, including allowing new standalone specialized stores, utilizing existing private liquor stores or government-controlled sales. [continues 417 words]
AHS: Consider unifying minimum age for cannabis, liquor, tobacco Alberta Health Services says the provincial government should consider a minimum age of 21 for consumption of legal cannabis - and potentially raise the minimum age for smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol to match. In its submission to the NDP government's cannabis secretariat, the provincial health authority also says the government should be in control of distribution and retail of marijuana when it becomes legal next year and calls for bans on public smoking and promotion of cannabis use. [continues 795 words]
Alberta opposition wrestles with intricacies of legal marijuana Alberta's conservative opposition parties are concerned about the tight time-frame for cannabis legalization. NDP Finance Minister Joe Ceci said last week that despite major decisions needing to be made, Alberta will be ready with a regulatory regime and won't ask Ottawa for an extension to its planned July 1, 2018, date for legal cannabis to be implemented. However, Wildrose justice critic Angela Pitt said in a recent interview that Alberta should contemplate joining Manitoba in formally asking for the legalization date to be pushed back. [continues 383 words]
CALGARY - Alberta's conservative opposition parties are concerned about the tight time frame for cannabis legalization. NDP Finance Minister Joe Ceci said last week that despite major decisions needing to be made, Alberta will be ready with a regulatory regime and won't ask Ottawa for an extension to its planned July 1, 2018, date for legal cannabis to be implemented. However, Wildrose justice critic Angela Pitt said in a recent interview that Alberta should contemplate joining Manitoba in formally asking for the legalization date to be pushed back. [continues 435 words]
Alberta's conservative opposition parties are concerned about the tight time frame for cannabis legalization. NDP Finance Minister Joe Ceci said last week that despite major decisions needing to be made, Alberta will be ready with a regulatory regime and won't ask Ottawa for an extension to its planned July 1, 2018, date for legal cannabis to be implemented. However, Wildrose justice critic Angela Pitt said in a recent interview that Alberta should contemplate joining Manitoba in formally asking for the legalization date to be pushed back. [continues 435 words]
Ready for legalization, except for one thing: Alberta will be ready for legalized cannabis in 2018 but has work to do in developing a tax regime, Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Monday. Ceci attended a meeting of federal and provincial finance ministers in Ottawa where legal weed was on the agenda. The federal Liberal government has set a date of July 1, 2018 to keep its campaign promise to legalize recreational marijuana and provinces are currently working to develop a regulatory regime. [continues 401 words]
Alberta will be ready for legalized cannabis in 2018 but has work to do in developing a tax regime for the product, Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Monday. Ceci attended a meeting of federal and provincial finance ministers in Ottawa where legal weed was on the agenda. The federal Liberal government has set a date of July 1, 2018, to keep its campaign promise to legalize recreational marijuana and provinces are currently working to develop a regulatory regime. One issue Alberta must grapple with is the lack of a provincial sales tax, Ceci acknowledged as he spoke to reporters in a televised news conference. [continues 559 words]
Associate health minister Brandy Payne says she anticipates a supervised consumption site for users of dangerous opioids will be operating in Calgary within months. Payne also said Thursday she expects there will ultimately be multiple safe-consumption sites in the city to try to combat a rising death toll from fentanyl and other opioids. A Calgary application for a supervised consumption site is one of five Alberta proposals - the rest are from Edmonton - that have been submitted to Health Canada for an exemption under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. [continues 329 words]
The prospect of legal marijuana in 2018 is raising alarm among anti-smoking advocates, while some public health experts are hopeful legalization will prove to be a greater benefit than risk. In April, the federal Liberal government unveiled a plan to legalize recreational pot for those over 18 by July of next year. Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said he doesn't oppose legalization but believes public health is taking a back seat to commercial and political interests as the Trudeau government speeds toward legal weed. [continues 736 words]
Ottawa is facing big questions as its move to legalize cannabis use for adults goes hand in hand with stricter laws on drunk and drugged driving and tough sentences for those providing marijuana to minors. While the Alberta government is supportive of new measures around roadside tests, a University of Calgary law school professor and a prominent city defence lawyer say many of the new federal laws go too far and will almost certainly be challenged as unconstitutional. In keeping its campaign promise on legalization, the Liberal government last week unveiled a crackdown on impaired driving that will no longer require police to suspect a driver has alcohol in his or her system to administer a roadside test. New legislation will also enable police to take a saliva sample from a driver they suspect of drug use. [continues 437 words]
Alberta's NDP government is warning Ottawa not to rush on marijuana legalization but isn't calling for pending federal legislation to be halted. Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said Tuesday there is much work that will need to be done after the Liberal government introduces its legalization bill, which is expected this spring. She suggested the legislation should be subject to considerable deliberations through the House of Commons committee process. "We need time to consider these things but we need to consider them once we've seen what the feds are doing," Ganley told reporters at the provincial legislature. [continues 186 words]
PCs say they would prefer to see money go to addictions treatment As Alberta takes a hard look at safe drug consumption sites for addicts, the plan is drawing support from health and law enforcement officials but wariness from the government's political opponents. The NDP government announced in October new measures to deal with Alberta's opioid crisis, including $730,000 in funding for agencies in several communities, including Calgary and Edmonton, working to establish supervised consumption sites. Associate Health Minister Brandy Payne said it's crucial to put dollars toward harm reduction measures such as the sites, which provide a medically supervised place for addicts to inject or consume drugs. [continues 687 words]
The federal health minister says the exact role of the provinces in regulating legal marijuana has yet to be determined, but there is a model in how they already deal with alcohol and tobacco. Jane Philpott announced last week at the United Nations that the Canadian government would introduce legislation next spring to legalize pot. The Liberals plan to appoint a task force to work out the issues raised by legalization, including the responsibilities of provincial governments. Speaking to reporters at the Liberals' cabinet retreat in Kananaskis, Philpott said it's too early to talk specifics but noted provinces already have a regulatory role. [continues 316 words]
The federal health minister says the exact role of the provinces in regulating legal marijuana has yet to be determined but there is a model in how they already deal with alcohol and tobacco. Jane Philpott announced last week at the UN that the Canadian government would introduce legislation next spring to legalize pot. The Liberals plan to appoint a task force to work out the issues raised by legalization, including the responsibilities of provincial governments. Speaking to reporters at the Liberal's cabinet retreat in Kananaskis, Philpott said it's too early to talk specifics but noted provinces already have a regulatory role. [continues 251 words]
Notley Waiting to See How Federal Liberals Proceed on Legalizing Marijuana Premier Rachel Notley says she has mixed feelings about the Trudeau government's pledge to legalize marijuana even as a federal Liberal cabinet minister says action is coming soon on the campaign promise. While some premiers are already musing about the best mechanism for legally selling pot, Notley said in an interview she's waiting to see how the federal government proceeds on legalization before responding. "There are arguments on either side that are compelling," the NDP premier told the Herald last week. [continues 716 words]
Health Minister Sarah Hoffman says safe-injection facilities aren't on the NDP government's agenda for now as it grapples with a crisis over the use of fentanyl, but she isn't ruling out the idea of allowing medically supervised drug consumption for addicts in the future. New numbers from Alberta Health Services show there have been 213 deaths associated with fentanyl in the first nine months of this year, with the situation prompting Liberal Leader David Swann to call on the NDP government to declare a public health emergency and consider opening safe-injection sites. [continues 529 words]
Inmate Numbers Soar The inmate population in Saskatchewan's jails is now approaching twice the original intended capacity of its four adult correctional facilities. If you're looking for tasty summer recipes and cool drink ideas, the Leader-Post has you covered. Head to leaderpost. com/summerguide to check out our page. And with new federal crime legislation likely to go through the House of Commons this fall, some observers such as the provincial ombudsman believe the situation is in danger of becoming much worse. [continues 758 words]
Report Finds Tape Of Ex-MLA Discussing Drugs Not Doctored Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Serge LeClerc engaged in "unethical and unlawful" conduct while in government, says a damning report by the legislature's ethics watchdog. But the former Saskatoon Northwest MLA, who resigned his seat at the end of August, continues to deny any wrongdoing. LeClerc, a self-proclaimed former career criminal who touted his transformation "from lawbreaker to lawmaker," left the government caucus and went on medical leave in April after CBC reported it had received a package of Internet chat room transcripts and a recording of an individual who sounded like LeClerc discussing marijuana and cocaine use in early 2009. [continues 893 words]
Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Serge LeClerc engaged in "unethical and unlawful" conduct while in government, says a damning report by the legislature's ethics watchdog. But the former Saskatoon Northwest MLA, who resigned his seat at the end of August, continues to deny any wrongdoing. LeClerc, a self-proclaimed former career criminal who touted his transformation "from lawbreaker to lawmaker," left the government caucus and went on medical leave in April after CBC reported it had received a package of Internet chat room transcripts and a recording of an individual who sounded like LeClerc discussing marijuana and cocaine use in early 2009. [continues 974 words]
The Conservative government's tough-on-crime agenda looks like it will be tough on the Saskatchewan government's bottom line, according to a report on the federal Truth in Sentencing Act released Tuesday by Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page. The report estimates the additional cost of the act - which eliminates the practice of inmates receiving double credit for time served before sentencing - will be $5 billion annually by 2015-2016. More than half those costs will be borne by the provinces. [continues 450 words]
Wall To Outline 'fFrther Steps' Premier Brad Wall will outline today "further steps" the Saskatchewan Party government has taken to deal with the situation of Serge LeClerc, the Saskatoon Northwest MLA who on Friday removed himself from caucus over allegations of recent drug use, says a top official in the premier's office. But Reg Downs, senior adviser to Wall, declined to say what those actions entail. Last Friday saw the detonation of a political bombshell that is expected to dominate debate in the legislative assembly this week. [continues 570 words]
MLA Denies Man In Recording Aired By Cbc Is Him Serge LeClerc, the Saskatoon MLA who describes his life story as transforming from "lawbreaker to lawmaker," has removed himself from the Saskatchewan Party caucus after CBC reported it received a package of information Friday alleging recent drug use by the MLA. The Saskatoon Northwest MLA -- first elected in 2007 -- said in a caucus news release he had taken himself out of caucus "while he works to clear his name from allegations of drug use." [continues 762 words]
MLA Says Move Would Help In Battle Against High Suicide Rate REGINA -- The RCMP says it's trying new ways to fight the growing drug trade in northern Saskatchewan. And the force is very interested in the idea of a drug enforcement squad dedicated specifically to the region, an idea raised in the legislature this week, said the RCMP's operations officer for northern Saskatchewan. Insp. Randy McGinnis said the RCMP is already implementing a strategy to have officers from the northern detachments working together to target the illicit transportation and sale of drugs, alcohol and contraband, noting the overlap of the criminals involved. [continues 279 words]
Opposition NDP Calls For Programs To Address High Number Of Suicides REGINA -- The NDP called this week for a drug squad dedicated specifically to northern Saskatchewan as part of a series of measures to deal with what the Opposition says is a worsening problem of youth suicides. Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger, one of two northern members, said drug abuse -- along with other factors such as poverty, lack of economic, educational and recreational opportunities and isolation -- is a major contributing factor to suicides in the North, with its predominantly aboriginal population. [continues 513 words]
The NDP called this week for a drug squad dedicated specifically to northern Saskatchewan as part of a series of measures to deal with what the Opposition says is a worsening problem of youth suicides. Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger, one of two northern members, said drug abuse -- along with other factors such as poverty, lack of economic, educational and recreational opportunities and isolation -- is a contributing factor to suicides in the north, with its predominantly aboriginal population. "Given the vast size of northern Saskatchewan and the fact that many of these communities are many miles from each other, we need to dedicate resources ... and find the way they can have their own drug enforcement unit specific for one area because it's a unique area, there are unique characteristics to the area, and you can't simply have drug enforcement delivered out of Prince Albert or Saskatoon. They have to adapt to the northern communities' style," Belanger, the Opposition's northern affairs critic, told reporters at the legislature. [continues 368 words]
The Saskatchewan Party government introduced two anti-crime bills Wednesday it says will increase the province's role in combating organized crime. The province hopes the Seizure of Criminal Property Act 2008 will streamline the process in place since 2005 of applying for forfeiture of property that is the proceeds of, or used for, unlawful activity. It will allow the Crown to apply directly to the courts, rather than leaving it up to police services. Saskatoon Police Service's Chief Clive Weighill, who attended the government's news conference at the legislature, said the bill will be helpful because there have been times when the police have not made applications [continues 454 words]
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Party government introduced two anti-crime bills Wednesday it says will increase the province's role in combating organized crime. The Seizure of Criminal Property Act 2008 will streamline the process in place since 2005 of applying for forfeiture of property that is the proceeds of, or used for, unlawful activity. It will allow the Crown to apply directly to the courts, rather than leaving it up to police services. Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill, who attended the government's news conference at the legislature, said the bill will be helpful because there have been times when the police have not made applications. [continues 453 words]
The fire of the provincial election campaign briefly subsided into smoke Thursday, as party leaders recounted their own experiences -- or lack of experience -- with marijuana. The issue arose when a reporter at Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall's press conference on social policy asked his opinion of the Saskatchewan Marijuana Party's call for legalization of marijuana. Wall said his party didn't agree with legalization. He was then was asked whether he had ever smoked marijuana. After a pregnant pause, Wall's answer was "yes," which was also his response on whether he had inhaled. [continues 508 words]
Marijuana Use Becomes Question On Provincial Election Campaign Trail The fire of the provincial election campaign briefly subsided into smoke Thursday, as party leaders recounted their own experiences -- or lack of experience -- with marijuana. The issue arose when a reporter at Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall's press conference on social policy asked his opinion of the Saskatchewan Marijuana Party's call for the legalization of marijuana. Wall said his party didn't agree with legalization. He was then was asked whether he had ever smoked marijuana. [continues 515 words]
REGINA -- Fighting organized crime requires more resources and increased co-ordination from the national government, provincial Justice Minister Frank Quennell said Monday as he prepared for a national meeting on organized crime. The meeting of federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers will be held in Toronto from Thursday to Saturday. Quennell, who will attend with Corrections and Public Safety Minister Warren McCall, said major issues for Saskatchewan relating to organized crime include prostitution and drug trafficking. Related issues such as human trafficking and the counterfeiting of products, including drugs, require increased attention at the national level, Quennell said. [continues 228 words]
Walker's Daughter Willing to Do Anything to Help Her Dad YORKTON -- If Jadah Walker truly owes her life to her father, she is repaying that debt to her family and to other families scarred by drugs. A day after a jury found 50-year-old Kim Walker guilty of second-degree murder, Jadah returned to some aspects -- the small apartment she shares with her boyfriend, the manager's job she holds at Carlton Cards -- of the normal life she's tried to build in the four years after her father shot dead her drug-dealer boyfriend, James Hayward. [continues 1133 words]
YORKTON -- If Jadah Walker truly owes her life to her father, she is repaying that debt to her family and to other families scarred by drugs. A day after a jury found 50-year-old Kim Walker guilty of second-degree murder, Jadah returned to some aspects -- the small apartment she shares with her boyfriend, the manager's job she holds at Carlton Cards -- of the normal life she tried to build in the four years after her father shot dead her drug dealer boyfriend, James Hayward. [continues 1165 words]
Minimum 10 Years: 'You Were Operating Under Terrible Anguish' YORKTON, SASK. - A father who murdered his daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend has been found guilty of second-degree murder and will spend at least 10 years in jail. "This is not a happy day for anyone," Justice Jennifer Pritchard told Kim Walker. "I am satisfied you were operating under terrible anguish." But Judge Pritchard told Walker he was wrong in thinking shooting James Hayward was his only option. "You were a desperate man. In saving your daughter, you wrongfully and unnecessarily took the life of another human being." [continues 482 words]
Yorkton Man Will Have To Serve 10 Years Before Parole Eligibility; Daughter Callsfather 'A Walkingliving Miracle' YORKTON -- Kim Walker has his daughter's love but he no longer has his freedom. A tearful Jadah Walker said her father will always be her hero after a jury found him guilty Friday of second-degree murder for gunning down her drug-dealer boyfriend, James Hayward, nearly four years ago. After the 50-year-old welder and father of three had been taken into custody by RCMP officers for the first time since being released on bail shortly after the shooting occurred on March 17, 2003, a distraught Jadah said her father had saved her life. [continues 928 words]
YORKTON -- Even as the jury deliberated in the first-degree murder trial of Kim Walker before ending a second day with no verdict, it was easy to find sympathy among those waiting in the ornate lobby of the Yorkton courthouse for the man who killed his daughter's drug dealer boyfriend nearly four years ago. For those who enforce the law, however, those sentiments are understandable but misguided. Sgt. Mark Doratti, who commands Yorkton's municipal RCMP detachment, knows there is a great deal of support for the Walkers -- both in the eastern Saskatchewan city of about 17,000 people and throughout the country as the trial has attracted national attention. [continues 584 words]
Jury in Walker Trial Fails to Come to Decision YORKTON -- As jury deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of Kim Walker ended after a second day with no verdict, the brother of victim James Hayward expressed disgust and sadness that Walker has been celebrated in some corners while his brother has been demonized. The trial has attracted national attention as the defence has portrayed Walker as a father desperate to rescue his then 16-year-old daughter Jadah from a drug addiction when he went to Hayward's home and shot and killed him on March 17, 2003. [continues 609 words]
