Today (June 23), the bill that tackles crystal meth and ecstasy drugs, spearheaded by member of Parliament John Weston (West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country) will come into force as law across Canada.
Bill C-475, which effectively criminalizes the procurement, possession, and trafficking of precursor materials of ecstasy or crystal meth, was originally introduced by Weston in the House on Nov. 2, 2010.
"It was a miracle this bill passed - the very last Private Member's Bill, on the very last day of the last session of Parliament," said Weston.
He credits the bill's 11th hour passage, to the strong support of communities across Canada, including most local governments in the riding he represents; the B.C. Association of Police Chiefs, West Vancouver's Police Chief Peter Lepine, Squamish First Nation Chief Gibby Jacob and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
"We needed unanimous support in the Senate, to go from First Reading only days before the end of the session, through Committee, and through expedited Second and Third readings," Weston added.
The bill enjoyed the support of all parties in the House of Commons, in part because Weston engaged all the Opposition Justice Critics in the drafting of the bill.
"No person shall possess, produce, sell or import anything knowing that it will be used to produce or traffic in a substance referred to in [the relevant sections of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act]" according to the Bill.
The maximum sentence prescribed for the offence is a term of 10 years, less a day.
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