We have some very good news to report:
BILL C-15 IS DEAD!!!!
When the Conservatives "prorogued" Parliament on December 30--
forcing a recess until March--all Bills not yet passed into law
died where they were, including C-15!! This was by far the most
painless solution we've been crossing our fingers for!
While political maneuvering was ultimately responsible for the
demise of this nasty legislation, we do believe we can still claim
a victory for all our efforts. If not for the overwhelming number
of witnesses who spoke out and provided evidence against the
Bill--resulting in the amendments which stalled the Bill long
enough for this to happen--Bill C-15 would have been made into law
by now.
On December 2, we went to Ottawa and made a presentation to the
Senate Committee studying Bill C-15. We got a chance to tell them
directly about the devastating impacts this proposed legislation
(which, among other things, would impose mandatory prison sentences
for the cultivation of cannabis, starting at 5 plants) would have
on Compassion Clubs and the medical marijuana patients who rely on
us.
View our
Testimony to the Senate here.
This will also link you to some of the many expert witnesses who
spoke out about the different ways in which this Bill was bad news
for Canadians. Several significant amendments were ultimately made
by the Committee and passed by the Senate, forcing another round in
the House of Commons slated for January up until the prorogation.
Thank you to everybody who signed our petition opposing Bill C-15!
The petition was submitted as part of our testimony to the Senate.
Realistically, this may very well only be a temporary reprieve as
the Bill can certainly be brought back--though it must be
reintroduced as a new Bill starting from first reading again. We
must be prepared to speak up again and mobilize to let legislators
know that mandatory prison sentences for cannabis cultivation are
unwanted and unacceptable to Canadians in the 21
st century!! And that Canadians demand that medical
marijuana patients and the Compassion Clubs who supply them must be
protected!!!
If you wish to stay in touch with the work we're doing, please
send a quick request to supporters@thecompassionclub.org and we'll
add you to our announcements list (used only for really BIG stuff).
A deep-felt "Thank you!!!" once again to all of you who expressed
their opposition to Bill C-15 and their support for Compassion
Clubs, medical marijuana patients and all the cannabis cultivators
out there who are decent people and contributing members of
society!!
Read our earlier concerns about the
Bill or link to the Kill Bill C-15 petition & poster here
