For Immediate Release
June 10, 2005

Barrett backs tobacco farmers, corner stores, bingo halls, restaurants and Legions

MPP leads opposition vote to Smoke-Free Ontario Act

Queen’s Park – Five PC MPP’s joined Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant representative Toby Barrett in voting against ‘smoke-free’ legislation that will have a devastating effect on farmers, corner stores, bingo halls, the hospitality sector, and legion halls across Ontario.

Wednesday in the Legislature, Bill 164 – the Smoke Free Ontario Act – passed third and final reading debate by a vote of 71-6. Tim Hudak, Ernie Hardeman, Frank Klees, Bill Murdoch, and John Yakabuski voted along with Barrett to oppose the bill.

“After months of debate and input from those asking for a little fairness to be inserted in the process, I find it unacceptable that this government failed to listen,” Barrett stated. “Despite our best efforts to have the legislation amended, there will be no further compensation or extensions for those who will be directly impacted – farmers, hotels and restaurants, corners stores, legions, bingo halls and their charities.”

The legislation will ban smoking in every workplace and indoor public area by June 2006, and require convenience stores to tear down their back wall tobacco displays by 2008.

Barrett pointed out that the ban will have a direct impact on charities and veterans’ halls.

“Veterans who fought for our freedom are now having their freedom to smoke taken away in their own halls!” exclaimed Barrett. “And charities will feel the pinch when the bingo halls they depend on for funding are forced to tell their majority of smoking customers to butt out – I can’t believe the government would fail to make provisions for our heroes and our most vulnerable.”

The legislation now only has to receive royal assent – usually a formality – from the Lieutenant Governor before becoming law.

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For more information please contact
MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629