For Immediate Release
January 29, 2007

Clock is nearing midnight in tobacco country

Hamilton – There is urgency throughout tobacco country for a complete exit strategy to be implemented.

That was the message representatives from the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Marketing Board delivered to government members at a pre-budget consultation in Hamilton today.

“I think it is important that representatives from tobacco country continue to reiterate the stress and anxiety that is plaguing our area,” Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett said. “The proof exists that the tobacco decline is decimating our small towns – schools, churches and businesses are closing and it’s because tobacco dollars are now scarce.”

Barrett has sent a letter to Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty calling for an immediate exit plan, to be funded by Ottawa and Queen’s Park. Further, Barrett has asked that both levels of government also dismantle the illicit tobacco market.

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