BILLS WILL DIE IF VOTE CALLED

Whistleblower, Pot Laws Won't Move Forward

OTTAWA - The Martin Liberals are leaving a few legislative apples to rot as they prepare for an expected election, including proposed laws that would protect federal whistleblowers and children.

A much-anticipated change to the Criminal Code that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana is among the bills that would die on the order paper if Prime Minister Paul Martin calls a general vote that's widely expected to be held June 28.

However, critics say it's the lack of important legislation on the House of Commons docket that marked the latest session of Parliament, which they describe as an indication of a Liberal government that's been in limbo for months.

"The Martin government has brought forward virtually no new legislation of its own," said New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton.

"You'd think that after somebody had been preparing to be prime minister for so long that they'd take advantage of the fact that they have a majority in the House of Commons and bring forward some changes."

Peter MacKay, Conservative party deputy leader, said it's been a lacklustre session.

"Outside of the marijuana bill, it's hard ( for Canadians ) to remember which bills are there," he said.

"This is the lightest political legislative agenda that I've seen in seven years.  I've never seen the order paper so sparse with legislation, so lacking in any kind of vision or any sort of leadership direction for the country."

Members of Parliament left Ottawa on Friday for what was scheduled as a one-week break.  However, it's believed they won't return until fall, as Martin is widely expected to begin a five-week election campaign May 23.  Over the last few weeks, Martin has shrugged off questions over when he'll call an election, saying he's more concerned about governing.

Yet, his government has brought forward little major legislation, choosing instead to tout future meetings and summits as vehicles for changing Canada's legal and political landscape.

Most of the bills that are slated to die once the election writ is dropped are holdovers from the former Chretien government.  They include: A bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, an initiative former justice minister Martin Cauchon had heralded as long overdue.

A measure to tighten child pornography laws by limiting the defence of artistic merit, a move applauded by law-and-order advocates but denounced by civil libertarians.

Legislation to revamp aboriginal self-government, a measure the Liberals have quietly backed away from after meeting bitter opposition from many First Nations.

There's also a proposed law to protect those who call attention to waste and corruption.

Heralded by Martin as a way to clean up government mismanagement in the wake of the sponsorship scandal, the whistleblower legislation was long sought by public service unions and others to prevent civil servants from being demoted, fired or otherwise disciplined for calling action to wrongdoing.