For Immediate Release
January 19, 2007

Barrett calls for resignation of Health Promotion Minister
Sparks fly over casino smoking shelters

Wallaceburg – After a firestorm of activity this week surrounding news that the McGuinty Liberals have created a loophole for government-owned casinos to set up smoking shelters, Toby Barrett is asking for Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson to resign.

The Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP is says that he is disgusted by the fact that the Liberals have violated their own legislation in attempts to protect its nest egg.

“This is the height of hypocrisy,” Barrett said. “While bars, restaurants, Legions, charity bingos and corner stores are being forced out of business by the heavy-handed legislation, Premier McGuinty is changing the rules for his own casinos.”

Minister Watson said in a letter to the editor, printed yesterday in Toronto newspapers, that the Smoke-Free Ontario Act “was put in place to help protect all citizens from the harm and danger of both smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.” Barrett questions if the health of casino patrons and employees is less important than that of the general public.

“I feel that this loophole or double-standard was created by McGuinty and gang to lure back some of their customers they have lost because of their own Bill 164,” Barrett said. “If they are going to allow casinos to do this then they must level the playing field for the rest of the hospitality sector too.”

Watson has said that casinos can be treated differently under the legislation because their main book of business is not food and beverage. Barrett rejects this idea as well citing the fact charity bingos are no different than casinos because their primary business is gambling – not food and drink.

“The government needs to come clean on why they are treating casinos differently,” Barrett said. “They also need to come clean with who’s meeting with them in the backroom. Minister Watson should resign for betraying Ontarians.”

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