EndProhibition
End Prohibition at the Federal NDP Convention
I joined the NDP in 2003, and in 2005 I started a group within the NDP called "End Prohibition: New Democrats Against the Drug War."
This group has now grown to over 700 NDP members and supporters who work within the NDP to promote resolutions which clarify and expand the party's policy on marijuana and harm reduction issues.
Over the past five years I have personally attended over a dozen NDP conventions in eight provinces. We usually purchase table space and buy a small ad in the convention guide, along with many other groups. Read more »
Dana Larsen's Report on the 2009 Halifax NDP Convention
End Prohibition at the Federal NDP Convention
By Dana Larsen
I joined the NDP in 2003, and in 2005 I started a group within the NDP called "End Prohibition: New Democrats Against the Drug War."
This group has now grown to over 700 NDP members and supporters who work within the NDP to promote resolutions which clarify and expand the party's policy on marijuana and harm reduction issues.
Over the past five years I have personally attended over a dozen NDP conventions in eight provinces. We usually purchase table space and buy a small ad in the convention guide, along with many other groups.
We have never had a single problem at any of the dozen conventions before this federal convention. But at this most recent federal convention we had unprecedented problems every step of the way.
-- PERSONALLY BANNED FROM POSTING ON OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE WALL Read more »
Layton vows not to prop up Tories
By. Gloria Galloway
‘Anybody who's holding their breath and thinking that's going to change should think twice,' NDP Leader says
NDP Leader Jack Layton says his party will not prop up the Conservative government if the Liberals move a motion of no-confidence in the fall.
“Our party has opposed the direction of Stephen Harper 79 times in confidence motions so anybody who's holding their breath and thinking that's going to change should think twice,” Mr. Layton told a press conference on Monday morning.
A deal hammered out between Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week saw the Liberals supporting the government on a confidence motion in exchange for the creation of a panel to study potential changes to the employment insurance system. Read more »
NDP Drug Policy Resolution passed in 7 ridings and one committee
We're happy to report that this resolution has now been passed by seven riding associations, and also by the federal Disability Committee.
Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca
Hamilton Centre
North Vancouver
St. Catharines
Toronto Danforth
Welland
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea-to-Sky Country
I am confident that few if any other resolutions will be going into the convention with such a broad base of support.
But we still have to work and ensure we have the delegates and organization to pass this into official party policy.
End Prohibition resolution passed in four ridings
Our resolution has now been passed in the following four ridings, possibly more.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea-to-Sky Country
Toronto Danforth
Hamilton Centre
Esquimalt Juan de Fuca
I am registered as a delegate to the convention, and have been in contact with a number of other NDPers also planning on attending the convention.
I can't promise we'll be able to get this resolution passed at convention, it is a complex and tricky process. But I think we have a great shot and we are certainly having an impact.
If we had a handful more pot activists actually getting involved in the NDP then we could get these kinds of things passed far more easily.
RESOLUTION ON DRUG POLICY FOR FEDERAL NDP CONVENTION 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
WHEREAS the criminal prohibition of psychoactive substances has produced enormous social and economic costs, and has created and enriched organized criminal organizations by transferring to them complete control of drug markets, but has failed to control the use or availability of psychoactive substances in our society,
WHEREAS regulation has been shown to be more effective than prohibition at controlling the availability and potential harm caused by the use of psychoactive substances,
WHEREAS the criminal prohibition of marijuana and other psychoactive substances is inconsistent with the creation of a legal system which "must not be based, as is the present one, upon vengeance and fear, but upon an understanding of human behaviour," as enshrined in the 1933 Regina Manifesto, Read more »
Liberals team with Conservatives to pass a nasty new drug law
Liberals team with Conservatives to pass a nasty new drug law
NDP and Bloc Quebecois opposed the mandatory minimum
By Dana Larsen
On June 8, Canada's Parliament passed a new set of mandatory minimum penalties for a variety of marijuana and drug offences.
The new law now goes to the Senate, where it will likely be approved. Even though Canada's Senate has many members who oppose prohibition, it is extremely rare for the Senate to block a bill passed by Parliament, especially when it has the support of both Liberals and Conservatives.
According to Conservative Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, the law is aimed at "serious drug traffickers, the people who are basically out to destroy our society."
NDP & BLOC QUEBECOIS OPPOSE NEW LAW Read more »
N.S. voters elect 1st NDP government
Nova Scotia has its first NDP government — and a majority government at that.
A historic win by Darrell Dexter's New Democratic Party ended a decade of Progressive Conservative rule in the province.
It also marks the first time since 2003 that Nova Scotia has had a majority government.
"Who would believe that NDP orange would cover Nova Scotia from Cumberland County," a jubilant Dexter said before being drowned out by applause from supporters at party headquarters in Dartmouth, "right down through the Valley, as far south as Shelburne County and right on through to Cape Breton Island."
After the votes were counted Tuesday, the New Democrats swept in with 31 seats in the 52-seat legislature. A party needs 27 seats for a majority.
Dexter said he would use this mandate with both caution and enthusiasm. He promised to honour campaign commitments, such as keeping emergency rooms open, taking the HST off electricity costs and fixing rural roads. Read more »
What is End Prohibition?
End Prohibition is the anti-prohibition wing of Canada's NDP.
We are members of the NDP who support replacing Canada's failed "war on drugs" with a non-punitive system based upon accurate education, reduction of harm, regulated access and responsible use.
Members of End Prohibition strongly support the federal NDP in regards to their longstanding policies on legalizing marijuana and supporting harm reduction. We are working to promote these same policies within each provincial NDP party.
We believe that Canada's war on drugs is inconsistent with the founding principles of the NDP, such as "the creation of a legal system which must not be based, as is the present one, upon vengeance and fear, but upon an understanding of human behaviour," as enshrined in the 1933 Regina Manifesto. Read more »
