At Monday’s regular council meeting, Michel Labonte made a presentation to council about legalizing drugs in Moose Jaw and the rest of Canada. He said that people who use Ritalin, alcohol, tobacco or coffee aren’t criminalized and the war on drugs is causing people to be killed in their quest to illegally obtain drugs. He said the country is spending billions to keep the war on drugs going and legalizing all drugs would make for a better use of resources.
For example, he said those with a business licence could sell marijuana to the public. He said legalizing drugs would eliminate Canada’s “own oppressive law against its own people” and to demonstrate to the world that “compassion and tolerance do have to prevail if a country truly wish(es) to respect the human rights and the freedoms of all its citizens.”
Council unanimously voted to pass on Labonte’s concerns to the drug strategy committee for comments.
Other items considered during Monday’s meeting:
• Council unanimously approved Coun. Dawn Luhning’s motion for council to have a planning session to discuss ideas before the end of the month.
• Coun. Brian Swanson gave a notice of motion of rescinding the nine per cent increase in water and sewer rates scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.
• Council received and filed the Mosaic Place and field house monthly update dated Nov. 13. The primary construction activities at Mosaic Place include: complete project close-out procedures, monitor final deficiencies and ensure completion and the warranty period concluded on July 29 of this year.
At the field house, primary activities include: complete project close-out procedures with the warranty period concluded in November 2011 and the reconstruction of outdoor soccer fields and site work.
Administration is continuing to acquire furnishings, fixtures and equipment for facilities that will be charged to the product. The forecasted cost at completion for Mosaic Place is $50,146,143 and has increased $10,000 since last month. The change is due to wireless improvements and curling rink carpet replacement.
For more information, see an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
