Harper promised tougher sentences for drug trafficking, such as mandatory minimum prison sentences of at least two years for the most serious drug offenders.

He said that crack dealers, marijuana grow operators and crystal meth manufacturers "have to know that if they are caught, they will not get a slap on the wrist."

"They will go to prison," Harper told a crowd in Burnaby, B.C. "It is a serious crime, and they will do serious time."

"A Conservative government will not reintroduce the Liberal plan to decriminalize the possession of marijuana, and we will never endorse the NDP idea of legalizing it outright," the Conservative leader said.

Source: Question shows Harper's, Layton's health split
December 3, 2005 - CTV.ca News

"If we legalize drugs like marijuana, it will make it easier for our children to get hold of it," Harper said during his speech.

"That is why my government is opposed to legalizing drugs -- especially because of the damage it can do to our cities and our communities because of increased addiction and crime."

Source: Pot not a Conservative priority April 14, 2006 - The Fulcrum (U. of Ottawa)

Comment: It is ironic that illegal drugs are known as "controlled substances." In the current unregulated market it's easier for young people to purchase drugs than it is to purchase alcohol or tobacco.

Conversely, in a regulated market age controls can be implemented, as well as quality standards and accurate product information.

Harper's reaction to the 2002 report by the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs:

Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper says Wednesday's Senate committee report advocating the legalization of marijuana merely underlines the need to reform the Senate.

Mr. Harper said he was concerned about the Senators' view that marijuana should be available for purchase to anyone over the age of 16.

"This should once again raise concerns about the need to reform the Senate, the need to have a legislative body that is elected and accountable and acts that way," he said.

"If we would have had that, it would have tempered some of the [committee's] recommendations," said the Opposition leader, who was in Barrie Thursday for an Alliance caucus meeting.

Senate reform, which has become a largely dormant issue, was once one of the most visible policies of the Alliance's precursor, the Western-based Reform party.

Source: Harper says Senate reform needed in wake of pot report
September 5, 2002 - Globe and Mail

While a re-examination of the country's drug laws is needed, Harper said Thursday that recommendations in the "fairly radical" report border on advocating pot use.

"It really quite distresses me," he said.

The father of a three-year-old girl and five-year-old boy said he doesn't buy arguments that alcohol is more harmful than smoking marijuana.

"As a parent, I would be more concerned about pot use than alcohol use by my children, even in moderation," said Harper, an asthmatic who has never smoked.

Source: Pot Legalization Report Shows Need For Senate Reform, Alliance Leader Says
Sept. 5, 2002 The Ottawa Citizen

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson

"Our government has no intention to decriminalize marijuana. ... It's much stronger than it was years ago and, in some cases, marijuana may be laced with more dangerous chemicals. There is also evidence it may lead to experimentation with other drugs. It's not something we want to encourage."
- Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.

Source: Your Fate If Arrested For Pot Smoking July 8, 2007 - The Chronicle

Gary Lunn - Conservative MP (Saanich-Gulf Islands)

Excerpt:

Saanich-Gulf Islands Conservative MP Gary Lunn said that abandoning legislation decriminalizing marijuana is more about priorities.

"This is not one of our priorities, this is not one of our policies - so we're not going there," Lunn said.

The Conservatives are more concerned about such issues as the proposed federal accountability legislation, reducing the GST and justice reforms, he said.

Lunn acknowledges that the party's position on pot is about more than being concerned about other priorities. And he also has his own concerns about what might happen if marijuana was decriminalized.

"Do you send the right message out to young people by legalizing marijuana? Is it a stepping stone to harder drugs? I'm not convinced it's the right road to go down," Lunn said.

Source: New Pot Policy Decried April 12, 2006 - Esquimalt News

"Police forces across the GTA, taking their cue from the new federal Conservative government, are again cracking down on the simple possession of marijuana."

Source: Police crack down on marijuana users April 3, 2006 - The Toronto Star

Justice Minister Vic Toews is making it unmistakably clear that the Conservative government has no intention of decriminalizing the simple possession of small amounts of marijuana, Canadian Press reported.
"It is a very short answer and the answer is ‘No," he replied.
"We have no plans to bring any bill forward."
Source: No change to marijuana laws: Toews March 17, 2006 - Focus On The Family/Today's Family News
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Mr. Toews would like to, "eliminate house arrest and impose mandatory prison sentences for drug dealers and violent gun crimes"
Source: House of Commons Debates - September 26, 2005
"Mr. Speaker, across Canada there has been a rapid increase in marijuana grow operations and crystal meth labs, destroying entire neighbourhoods. Along with the drug dealing is a marked increase in gun related violence. How many more people need to die in our streets before the government decides to eliminate house arrest and impose mandatory prison sentences for drug dealers and violent gun crimes?
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Bill C-9 - Conservative legislation to end house arrest for "serious" crime (including grow-ops)

Central Alberta Conservative MPs Myron Thompson and Bob Mills both say they support their government's decision not to decriminalize the possession of marijuana.