For immediate release:

Sept. 9, 2005

Charity bingos, restaurants and others line up for their shot at Smoke Free Ontario

Sarnia -MPP Toby Barrett was heartened to see that while Bill 164 has been passed by the McGuinty Government, the Free Ontario initiative hasn't forced critics to give up the fight.

Barrett chaired hearings in Sarnia for those who were not allowed the chance to comment on the Bill during committee hearings. Despite Barrett's attempts during committee hearings to have them extended, the Liberal majority shot down his motions and as a result, 137 associations and individuals were not permitted to speak.

"While the McGuinty government obviously feels this is already a done deal, there are many we heard from yesterday that are demanding a second look," said Barrett. "We heard from a group representing 87 charities funded by bingos. A smoking by-law has seen their revenue drop by over a million dollars in the last year

The Smoke Free Ontario Act will go into effect next spring and will ban smoking in all public places.

"The people we heard from yesterday are desperately trying to get this government to listen," Barrett pointed out. "Put simply, if the legislation is allowed to go into effect as is, pub and restaurant owners will be forced to shut down their establishments, while many charities won't be able to provide the help that support those who need it most."

The hearings were organized by mychoice.ca a group committed to restoring common sense, balance and civility to the way Canada's adult smokers are treated by their federal, provincial and municipal politicians.

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