U.S. government officials are keeping a close eye on discussions of a new national drug strategy in Canada, which appears to be moving toward a more tough-minded approach after the government embraced harm reduction initiatives several years ago.

The CanWest News Service reported Dec. 12 that the Tory government has been coming under criticism for taking more of a U.S.-style approach to drug crime. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's 2006 election platform included a call for mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, with a focus on combating use of marijuana, methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

Internal government documents obtained by the Vancouver Sun indicate that senior-level meetings between U.S. officials and Conservative minister's offices in Canada have taken place. In addition, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) director John Walters is expected to visit Canada in early 2007; a planned visit by Walters this fall was postponed.

Mike Storeshaw, a spokesman for Justice Minister Vic Toews, said issues of mutual interest such as cross-border crime make the U.S.-Canada meetings logical. "Obviously, ministers interact with their counterparts internationally," Storeshaw said. "Americans are important counterparts, especially when it comes to drug crime."

The internal documents state that the new drug strategy will be launched next fall or winter, and will focus on key priority areas such as "clandestine labs, marijuana grow operations, [and] synthetic drugs."