Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will not decriminalize marijuana before moving to fully legalize the drug next year, even if that means Canadians who smoke pot end up with criminal records in the meantime. Trudeau was pressed on the issue in question period Wednesday, hours after Health Minister Jane Philpott announced at the United Nations that Liberals will table legislation to legalize pot in spring of 2017. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said "thousands and thousands of Canadians will have criminal records for the rest of their lives" because the Liberals won’t take more immediate action. He mocked that Philpott — "in New York, of all places" — was saying that "maybe" Liberals will present a bill next year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) "In the meantime, will the prime minister at least promise that there will be legislation to remove the criminal records?" Mulcair asked. Trudeau sarcastically shot back that he’s always curious to see what Mulcair’s position on marijuana will be. Liberals have been clear for years, he said, that legalization and regulation is the best way to protect children. "Decriminalization, as this member proposes, actually gives a legal stream of income to criminal organizations," he said. "That’s not what anyone wants in this country." Mulcair said New Democrats have held the same position for 40 years — to "stop sentencing people to jail terms" by decriminalizing.