“An active participant in a federally-led process”

Close to two years ago I received an email from a Delhi constituent requesting Ontario’s position on the tobacco buyout.

Following standard procedure I forwarded the email to the Minister of Agriculture Leona Dombrowsky with a covering letter requesting a response be sent to my constituent and my office.

The Ministry responded and in the letter of October 10, 2006, Minister Dombrowsky communicated one message and one message alone, quote: “I am willing to discuss an industry solution with my federal colleague and industry representatives, and can assure you that Ontario will be an active participant in a federally-led process to address this issue.” There were no qualifiers or strings attached.

Based on this directive, I and many others turned our lobbying efforts to the federal level – as a number of Ottawa Cabinet Ministers can attest.

Fast forward to this summer – Federal Ag Minister Gerry Ritz, Minister Diane Finley, and others have come through with $300 million which stems from a civil settlement agreement with Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. and Rothman, Benson & Hedges.

But to the dismay of all involved Minister Dombrowsky, in spite of that promise two years ago, “has turned her back on tobacco growers,” according to an editorial in The Brantford Expositor. More specifically, it now appears Minister Dombrowsky will not be “an active participant in a federally-led process” as previously promised.

Following the federal announcement I wrote Minister Dombrowsky asking she honour the traditional 60:40 funding partnership, as well as her promise to farmers.

Last week, during the Finance Committee review of the Ontario health tax I tabled a motion calling on the provincial government to transfer their $156.9 million share of the settlement to tobacco country. And then I followed up with yet another letter to Minister Dombrowsky.

My Opposition Colleagues Tim Hudak and Ted Arnott helped me reinforce the need for immediate action. Discussion ensued between government and opposition members and in the end, the chair of the committee ruled that my recommendations be filed with the clerk and further discussion and a decision be made on August 21, 2008.

Aside from mentioning the civil settlement dollars, my motion stressed that the McGuinty government has raised taxes on tobacco three times since coming to office and set a precedent when they partnered 60:40 with the Federal Government under the previous TAAP program -- Ottawa paid $70 million and Queen’s Park $50 million.

These recently-announced settlement dollars are from two tobacco companies – these are not income tax dollars but rather punitive damages plus a return of smokers’ tax dollars.

Our fight for fairness is far from over and it appears that the provincial government needs some coaxing. I know farmers are tired of calling and writing, but we mustn’t give up now. Pick up the phone and call MPPs Dave Levac, Steve Peters, Maria VanBommel, Ernie Hardeman and myself – as well as those in the McGuinty cabinet.

The time is now. The $156.9 million from the civil settlement is ‘found’ money in this fiscal year, and will not be available next year.

My office can provide you with the numbers. And while you’re at it, dig up past correspondence from Minister Dombrowsky so you can remind her that in today’s sophisticated society, it’s nearly impossible to get away with saying one thing prior to an election and another after.