Oakes said the Mounties were investigating reports of stolen property and marijuana on Roszko's property, and authorities said they did find a marijuana-growing operation in progress. They were armed only with handguns, officials said.

The slaying of four young RCMP officers in rural Alberta is being cited by some as evidence of the dangers marijuana grow ops pose to the public and police and has brought renewed calls for tougher laws and sentences. But what makes grow ops dangerous are Canada's marijuana laws, say many legal and narcotics experts who argue further "criminalization" would only lead to more bloodshed. Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan has said she's prepared to consider tougher penalties and noted legislation before Parliament will require a judge to provide written reasons if he or she decides not to hand out jail time to anyone convicted of running a grow op. Federal legislation, reintroduced in November, recommends reducing penalties for possession of small amounts of pot while providing harsher sentences for marijuana growers. Anyone convicted of having more than 50 plants could be imprisoned up to 14 years. Debate on Canada's marijuana laws has been renewed following the shooting deaths of the RCMP officers near Rochfort Bridge, Alta., Thursday during an investigation into stolen property and a marijuana grow op. [snip]

The RCMP deaths are sure to inflame debate this weekend at the Liberal gathering, where two resolutions dealing with pot laws are on the agenda. One proposal from Alberta Liberals would see marijuana legalized and taxed. "Legalizing marijuana would be a serious blow to drug dealers and organized crime financially," says the resolution. Another proposal, from British Columbia, asks for stiffer sentences for those involved in grow ops. Earlier Thursday, Liberal MP Dan McTeague said the deaths highlight the need for tougher penalties. He called for minimum four-year sentences for marijuana growers. "This has gone too far, it's not a laughing matter," said McTeague. "We have legislation that may have the unintended effect of increasing marijuana grow operations. "I think it's now time for Parliament to target marijuana grow operations, shut them down."

"We can't just run out on the basis of a single tragedy and make up a bunch of laws." On Thursday, four RCMP officers died following up a lead about stolen property and a possible grow-op near Mayerthorpe, Alta. When they arrived at the location, gunfire broke out and both the officers and the suspect, identified by relatives as Jim Roszko, 46, died. The four are: Constable Peter Christopher Schiemann, 25; Constable Anthony Fitzgerald Orion Gordon, 28; Constable Lionide Nicholas Johnston, 28, and Constable Brock Warren Myrol, 29. Mr. Harper said it is not rational to draw conclusions between tougher marijuana laws and one dangerous person. Marijuana issues are likely to be front and centre at this weekend's Liberal policy conference in Ottawa.