cannabisnews.com: Bloc Quebecois Renews Sovereigntist Vows Bloc Quebecois Renews Sovereigntist Vows Posted by FoM on January 31, 2000 at 06:32:12 PT By Dennis Bueckert -- Canadian Press Source: Canoe The Bloc Quebecois wound up its congress Sunday with fiery vows to win the next referendum and a call for decriminalization of marijuana. Party leader Gilles Duceppe called on Ottawa to restore transfer payments the provinces use for health and education to 1994-95 levels, and joined some provincial premiers in blasting a national homecare program proposed last week. "Let Ottawa drop this talk about new programs we don't need," said Duceppe. "We have all the expertise we need, let them mind their business and give us back our money." Health Minister Allan Rock announced last week plans to negotiate a new national homecare system with the provinces with the aim of easing hospital overcrowding and restoring Canadians' confidence in the system. The Ontario and Quebec governments immediately doused cold water on the idea. As for sovereignty, Duceppe said the Bloc remains as committed as ever to the goal. "The Bloc is an unstoppable player in the sovereigntist movement. Are we the spearhead? If yes, the spear is pointed at Ottawa." He denied the Bloc sees itself as taking over the lead role from the Parti Quebecois, which is mired in political problems on several fronts. "We play our role, they play their role, we are complementary," he said. On Saturday, former premier Jacques Parizeau sparked speculation about a schism among sovereigntists by calling the Bloc the spearhead of the movement while avoiding any reference to the PQ. Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard did not address the congress of the party he founded. The liveliest debate on Sunday arose over a motion from the youth wing demanding Ottawa "abandon its prohibitionist policy on cannabis." One delegate warned the impact of decriminalization had not been thoroughly studied, saying: "I don't want Quebec to become a laboratory to find out how this works." Supporters of the motion said education and prevention, not criminal law, are the best ways to fight drug use. "I'm a father of two adolescents and I don't want them to have criminal records," said one man. The motion passed easily in contrast to a similar proposal that was defeated at the founding conference of the Canadian Alliance a day earlier. A seemingly radical proposal for monetary union throughout the Americas passed without debate. The congress was marked by an absence of personal attacks and corridor sideshows and Duceppe won a vote of confidence by a margin of 87 per cent. The dominant theme was outrage over the federal government's clarity bill, which sets out guidelines for negotiating with Quebec in the event of a Yes vote in a future referendum. Sovereigntists have denounced the bill as undemocratic. Duceppe dared Ottawa to send a commission to Quebec to hold hearings on the bill. He also promised the Bloc will try to delay the bill in the Commons. The party also made plans to prepare for the next election. Bloc MPs will soon tour the province to get input for the party's platform. QUEBEC Published: Janaury 30, 2000Copyright © 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Related Article & Web Sites:Bloc Pothttp://www.blocpot.qc.ca/Therapeutic Use Of Marijuanahttp://www.blocquebecois.parl.gc.ca/medicale/english/index.htmThey Have High Hopes! The Montreal Event - 5/19/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1395.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by mike hawk on May 02, 2001 at 07:19:33 PT: weed i like weed and i hope it passes [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by robbie mcclure on April 11, 2001 at 08:00:14 PT: i love weed i think they should legalize marijuana so i stop smuggling it and smoking it illegally. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by military officer guy on January 31, 2000 at 19:53:30 PT sure hope this passes... this would be great if canada could get a yes to decriminalize mary-jane...i would love that to happen...they have already taken huge leaps towards medical use, and it is already legal to grow it for industrial purposes...only if the US would get off their a$$es and follow the lead of the canadians... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: