Speak out against Smoke-Free Ontario

Last week, the Legislative Assembly reconvened to debate Bill 164, an act to create a Smoke-Free Ontario.

It comes as little surprise that I speak out against this piece of legislation, as I represent the majority of Ontario's tobacco farmers – many of whom were at Queens Park last week in the galleries. As MPP, I have – for a number of years – represented tobacco towns like Tillsonburg, Langton, Delhi, Simcoe, Ohsweken, and now the developing tobacco manufacturing in Caledonia.

My opposition to this bill comes not so much from my admiration and my respect for families who continue to grow tobacco - a legal product. My opposition to the bill has more to do with the fact that there are alternatives. There are alternative solutions. There are other models working elsewhere in other jurisdictions, models that this government refuses to pay attention – models that could have merit, for example, for Legions and pubs in smoke-free Haldimand.

By ramming this through, this government shows disrespect not only for farmers but for members of our veterans' associations and Legions, the hospitality industry, the corner stores, casinos, bingo halls, and many of their employees and customers. All of these sectors will suffer lost customers and lost revenue. Some will close.

On December 15, just before we rose for Christmas, without any consultation, this government forged ahead with the McGuinty war on tobacco by introducing Bill 164 - a bill that may appear heroic to those catching a teaser on the 6 o'clock news or skimming the headlines in a major paper. However, once you scratch below the surface, it's clear the bill is another fine example of show and sham. We all know that this government's interest of late comes down to taxes and boosting revenue for pet projects. They are addicted to lining the coffers at the expense of hard-working Ontarians. Governments across Canada – both provincial and federal – accrue over $8 billion a year from tobacco taxes.

I feel that a 100% smoking ban is short-sighted. As I say, there is an alternative. It's one that creates jobs and protects the livelihoods of those who already have jobs in the hospitality industry. The alternative - ventilation. Ventilated designated smoking rooms accommodate those who do smoke, and they accommodate those who do not smoke.

With respect to our farmers, we all know -- and the NDP raised this issue as well -- that this government promised tobacco farmers $50 million in its 2003 campaign. Bill 164 has ignored that promise. That promise was made a year and a half ago - farmers are in much more serious financial trouble now than they were a year and a half ago. Tobacco farmers feel abandoned. If the aim is to put farmers out of business, then at least this government must provide a dignified severance package, one that will allow them to pay off the banks, invest in retraining and get on with their own lives.

I continue to demand that reparations be paid from this government - compensation for those farmers suffering the collateral damage from Mr. McGuinty's declared war on tobacco - and ventilation alternatives that can be offered to the hospitality industry.