For Immediate Release
August 21, 2008

Barrett’s tobacco motion axed
Barrett and Hudak walk out of Finance Committee

Queen’s Park – As promised, tobacco country’s MPP Toby Barrett formally introduced his provincial tobacco compensation motion to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Barrett’s five-part motion titled, ‘Tobacco Farmers’ Assistance’ concluded with: “The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs recommends that the Minister of Finance forward Ontario’s 40 per cent share to the tobacco growers of Southwestern Ontario utilizing the $156.9 million from the tobacco companies’ civil settlement agreement.”

The motion was ruled out of order by the chair of the committee.

Previously, August 5, Barrett tabled and officially read his motion before the committee. The motion was filed with the clerk and the committee was informed that there be further discussion and a decision made on August 21st.

“At minimum I feel many farmers would have been interested in seeing this request go to a vote – that didn’t happen,” Barrett said. “However, I will take this motion before the finance sub-committee to request that it be addressed at a future meeting.”

Following Barrett’s tobacco motion, a number of Opposition amendments that criticized the government’s health tax legislation were voted down by the Liberal MPPs across the table.

As a result, Barrett and colleague Tim Hudak (Finance Critic) walked out of the Finance Committee, calling the process a ‘sham’. Barrett and Hudak were joined in their protest by NDP member Gilles Bisson of Timmins-James Bay.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629