For immediate release:
December 15, 2005

Barrett outlines provincial role for re-igniting rural Delhi, tobacco economy 

Queen’s Park – During evening debate in the Legislature MPP Toby Barrett again issued his call for “more comprehensive and proactive solutions” to remedy the impacts of the “decline in the tobacco industry.”

Hours after asking the Minister of Agriculture during question period to convene a tobacco forum, Barrett took time while speaking to the “Budget Measures Act, 2005” to highlight the need for action on the tobacco front once more.

“As people present in the House earlier today would realize, the farmers, through their marketing board, are now proposing a full exit from tobacco - there's no turning back on this one,” stated Barrett. “We do call on the Minister of Agriculture to continue the dialogue with the tobacco community - we ask the minister to convene a forum to pull together the federal level, to pull together the manufacturers, to pull together the Minister of Finance, who kicked off the debate this evening, and the Minister of Health.”

“We need input from all sides.”

The Opposition Agriculture Critic went on to point to the economic impact on the community of Delhi.

“With this, as we know, the Ontario Ministry of Health declared war on tobacco, and in any war, people and communities get caught in the crossfire - there is collateral damage, and Delhi is one such community,” Barrett submitted. “We can look at provincial economic data, we can look at federal job statistics, but you really need to look at maybe one statistic in the town of Delhi: In recent years, they have lost all three of their new car dealerships.”

After citing the losses for Delhi, Barrett was quick to note that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”

“…there's incredible potential in that community,” said Barrett. “Very recently, Norfolk county council received recommendations from an initiative called the Delhi Innovation Team: the number one recommendation was to keep Delhi District Secondary School open, and beyond that, take the initiative to expand educational and community programs through that particular building.”

“I really feel, and I think many would concur with this, there's potential to see Delhi go down the road of perhaps a Frankenmuth, as we see in Michigan.”
Barrett concluded with a request for government to support the people of Delhi in turning things around.

“There is potential for this area - they have taken a devastating hit courtesy of government policy,” finished Barrett. “I sincerely feel it's incumbent on the Ontario government to redirect some of that $9 billion a year that comes in not only to the province of Ontario but to other provinces and the Dominion of Canada. As we discuss a budget bill and the planning and allocation of scarce resources, I would take a position that part of that money be allocated to the town of Delhi.”

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629