March 8, 2002

Tobacco farm families speak with one voice  

This past week marked an historic period for our area's tobacco-growing way of life.  

With a 98.5 per cent vote, Ontario's tobacco farmers sent a clear message to reject direct contract buying of tobacco.   An unprecedented 89.5 per cent of eligible voters turned out to 19 polling stations throughout the province to register their strong and unified disapproval of the proposal from Imperial Tobacco.

I believe that it is those who have devoted their lives to this industry who know it best, and that the best solutions will come from within the sector itself.   It is for this reason that the TAC - the Tobacco Advisory Committee - was set up as a forum for tobacco industry stakeholders to discuss relevant issues. By working and planning together, the TAC has been able to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice.   The TAC has been a model of the 'whole industry approach' to resolving issues and has been copied by other sectors in Ontario and elsewhere.   It's my hope that this strong show of opposition to Imperial's concept of direct buying will help the Tobacco Advisory Council move ahead towards a solution that will secure the future of tobacco marketing for years to come.

Our Ontario Government - and I say this not only as a local MPP, but also on behalf of MPP Ernie Hardeman, Agriculture Minister Brian Coburn, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Premier Mike Harris and all government MPP's - our Ontario government fully supports supply management.

With regard to the marketing of leaf tobacco through the Farm Products Marketing Act and more specifically regulation 435, we have provided the Tobacco Marketing Board with the authority to determine how all tobacco grown in Ontario will be bought and sold.   Our Ontario government has given tobacco farmers all the powers they need through the tobacco board to market their product.

I am heartened by the unanimity growers have shown in making this monumental decision.   Of course, given the adversity for tobacco farmers of the last 20-years, no-one should be surprised. Tobacco farmers by necessity are a hardy lot - look at the challenges they face.   From poor growing conditions, and poor prices to the constant lobbying from the anti-tobacco zealots.   Add to this the recent cost of nitrosomine conversion - I am indeed proud of the $20 million our Ontario government contributed to help pay those costs.   And as the 2000 people who attended last week's mass meeting now know - this money was not taken from corn, wheat and soy-bean farmers.

I am also proud that our tobacco growers have chosen to face this challenge together - standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow growers arguing for the right to earn a decent living.

Retired Board member, Ted Ratrowsky had this to say well before this vote, "...at times, we (the board) had a difference of opinion, but it's extremely important for this board to be unified - the key is that loyalty must be there."   I'm glad to see that while this storm front continues to roll, farmers and their families have not allowed their unity to crumble.  

I have faith the tobacco industry will be able to resolve the challenges currently before it.   While the participation of all stakeholders in the TAC process cannot be mandated, I believe strongly that this type of industry approach is the best way to go forward.