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DECEMBER 18, 21:13 ET Tuesday's Canada Briefs By The Associated Press OTTAWA (AP) - The Liberal government used its majority to curtail debate Tuesday in the Senate and push its landmark anti-terrorist legislation into law. Bill C-36, granting wide new powers of arrest, detention and surveillance, as well as authority to freeze and confiscate financial assets of suspected terrorists, passed by a handy 45-21 margin. Within the hour it had received royal assent from Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson at a ceremony in the ornate Senate chamber. Sharon Carstairs, the Liberal leader in the Senate, defended the use of time allocation - a form of closure - to curb debate, blaming delaying tactics by the Conservative minority. ``It's an excellent law for Canada and very appropriate to the circumstances as a result of Sept. 11,'' she said. But John Lynch-Staunton, the Tory leader in the upper house, saw potential for future violations of civil liberties. ``I think the police initially will be very careful,'' he said. ``I'm just worried that, in time, those who are here today will not be there and excesses could take place.'' --- U.S. Wants More Canadian Gas, Oil, Electricity, Says Ambassador OTTAWA (AP) - Nervous about relying on the Middle East to meet its post-Sept. 11 energy needs, Washington is turning toward Canada to quench its growing thirst for oil, natural gas and electricity, says U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci. The United States was already focused on ensuring greater access to Canada's energy before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Cellucci said in an interview Tuesday with The Canadian Press. Since then, the desire to forge tighter energy links with its neighbor and key trading partner has taken on a new urgency, he added. ``We see Canadian sources of energy as reliable. If there's a problem in the Middle East, because our economies (in North America) are already integrated, we don't worry about those supplies,'' the ambassador said. ``It's another one of the consequences of Sept. 11.'' The federal government and the energy-producing provinces have been watching Washington closely since last spring, when U.S. President George W. Bush proposed a more integrated continental energy market. Some critics worried Washington may be trying to gain control over Canada's resource policies, even though oil, gas and electricity already flow freely over the border. But Canada's energy sector isn't too concerned. It likes the idea of a large customer with an ever-growing appetite. --- Premier Ralph Klein Says He'll Seek Help for Drinking Problem EDMONTON (AP) - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says he doesn't know if he's an alcoholic but will seek professional help for his drinking problem if necessary. ``I don't know, the word alcoholic is subjective,'' a subdued Klein told a Tuesday news conference called to discuss his first public admission of the problem. ``I do know I have a problem, and I do know I'm going to deal with it,'' he said. ``If I need medical or professional help down the road, I will seek that.'' Klein, who wiped tears from his eyes at one point, also said he had resolved to make sure his drinking did not interfere with his work. His admission of the problem Monday night brought an outpouring of support from many Albertans. But some said it is time for Klein to cork his tippling for the good of the province and his own health. ``Ralph can run the country half drunk better than the other people we have in charge,'' chuckled a caller named Bill to an Alberta radio show Tuesday. ``Ralph is for the humans, eh?'' Other callers said Klein's bizarre midnight visit last week to an Edmonton homeless shelter after having a few drinks and his admission that he has a drinking problem are a cry for help. ``I think Ralph has reached out,'' said another caller named Dorothy. ``This man has got a problem. Stop being an enabler.'' ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
