ISSUES

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United Nations regrets the Canadian legislature’s decision to legalize recreational cannabis

by Senator Betty Unger

Vienna, 21 June 2018 – United Nations Member States only recently unanimously adopted a guidance document on drug policy at the 2016 General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem. The outcome document aims to advance balanced, people-centred and holistic approaches to drug challenges, by implementing the UNGASS recommendations and helping to achieve […]

Senate 150th Anniversary Medals awarded to Albertans in recognition of contributions made to their communities

by Senator Betty Unger

NEWS RELEASE OTTAWA, May 14, 2018 – Senator Betty Unger today awarded the Senate of Canada’s 150th Commemorative Medal to three Alberta residents and four Alberta organizations in recognition of their significant contributions to their communities. “Albertans embody the spirit of volunteering,” Senator Unger said. “In the last General Social Survey from Statistics Canada in […]

When will Trudeau do something?!! Kinder Morgan countdown.

by Senator Betty Unger

Countdown to Kinder Morgan deadline When will Justin Trudeau do something?!! Kinder Morgan halts non-essential work on Trans Mountain pipeline and sets drop-dead deadline VANCOUVER SUN | Stephanie Ip and Patrick Johnson Kinder Morgan pointed to the “uncertainty” created by the opposition of the B.C. government as the reason for the sudden announcement and said it will […]

Fraser Institute: Investors are turning their backs on Canada.

by Senator Betty Unger

On April 18, a number of witnesses appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce to report on the recent tax changes in the U.S. and the implications for Canada. Following is the testimony of Charles Lammam, Director of Fiscal Studies at the Fraser Institute.  Charles Lammam, Director, Fiscal Studies, Fraser Institute:  Thank you […]

Corporate welfare won’t resolve the Kinder Morgan dispute

by Mark Milke

Mark Milke Special to the Globe and Mail Mark Milke is the author of multiple studies on the economics of subsidies to business. One of the great myths circulated by the anti-energy crowd in Canada is that the energy sector is heavily subsidized by taxpayers. Instead, as I found in my 2017 study for the […]

Senator Unger to Trudeau: Get home and take action on Trans Mountain!

by Senator Betty Unger

News Release For immediate release Ottawa, February 22, 2018 – Senator Betty Unger is calling out Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for showing no leadership on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. “The Prime Minister is missing in action at an extremely critical time,” Senator Unger said. “It’s been over 3 weeks since BC announced its intention […]

Marijuana hurts kids, and C-45 is a toxic bill, says Sen. Unger

by Senator Betty Unger

Re: “Sen. Unger relies on incomplete representation to argue her case against marijuana legalization,” (The Hill Times, Jan. 8, p. 8), “Sen. Unger’s got it wrong on marijuana legalization,” (The Hill Times, Jan. 24, p. 8). The Trudeau government has tabled Bill C-45, which, if passed, will legalize the sale and distribution of marijuana and—incredibly—make […]

Changes to our national anthem should have been put to a referendum

by Senator Betty Unger

Statement on Bill C-210: An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act “Proposed changes to our national anthem should have been put to Canadians in a referendum” OTTAWA, February 5, 2018 Last week, “independent” senators used a “guillotine motion” to ram through Bill C-210, changing Canada’s national anthem. In her speech opposing this motion, Senator […]

Canada passes bill to make national anthem lyrics gender neutral

by Senator Betty Unger

By Chantal Da Silva on 2/1/18  |  NEWSWEEK http://www.newsweek.com/canada-passes-bill-make-national-anthem-lyrics-gender-neutral-797150 Canadian lawmakers have passed a bill to make the country’s national anthem gender neutral. Instead of “In all thy sons command,” the anthem’s lyrics will soon be rewritten to read: “In all of us command.” Senators voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the lyrics of “O Canada” to […]

Driving High: Is the test for weed reliable?

by Senator Betty Unger

CBC | Fifth Estate As Canada prepares for legal pot, the federal government plans to spend as much as $80-million to train 750 police officers to smoke out high drivers. But how sound is the test? A Fifth Estate investigation raises serious questions, showing it can lead to false arrests, is prone to police bias […]

What Canada’s plan for regulating legal marijuana gets wrong

by Senator Betty Unger

Opinion: Canada’s marijuana plan borrows from its approach to alcohol, rather than tobacco—and that could create a commercialized, predatory industry MACLEANS | Daniel Myran and Ryan Forrest | January 24, 2018 Daniel Myran is a family physician based in Ottawa who is currently completing a Master’s of Public Health at Harvard University, where his research focus […]

Marijuana legalization: What can be done?

by Senator Betty Unger

Many Canadians are very concerned about the federal government’s decision to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes (medical marijuana is already legal in Canada, and will not be impacted by this Bill). Bill C-45 has been passed by the House of Commons and is now in the Senate for consideration. It is not too late to make […]

The sad anniversary of big commercial pot in Colorado

by Senator Betty Unger

Reprinted from the Colorado Springs Gazette Opinion | November 9, 2017 This week marks the fifth anniversary of Colorado’s decision to sanction the world’s first anything-goes commercial pot trade. Five years later, we remain an embarrassing cautionary tale. Visitors to Colorado remark about a new agricultural smell, the wafting odor of pot as they drive […]

Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth – American College of Pediatricians

by Senator Betty Unger

Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth American College of Pediatricians – April 2017 ABSTRACT: Although increasing legalization of marijuana has contributed to the growing belief that marijuana is harmless, research documents the risks of its use by youth are grave. Marijuana is addicting, has adverse effects upon the adolescent brain, is a risk for both cardio-respiratory disease […]