Leaders Push to Resolve Tobacco Issue

Source from:  By Nancy Boutin STAFF WRITER Monday November 12, 2007 11/13/2007

Tobacco industry stakeholders met Friday, and reaffirmed their resolve to push for government action on an exit plan for growers. "There is desperate need for the implementation of a plan that would give our farmers the opportunity to exit this industry," said Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board Chairman Tom McElhone, "and to ensure the communities receive the investments required to manage the adjustment away from tobacco production." Discussions about how to approach a growers' exit package have been in the works for years, with little movement from the senior levels of government. Norfolk Mayor Dennis Travale cited his "tremendous disappointment" with the lack of government response to the crisis thus far, and said if there is to be any progress, it will be because of persistence from those at the local level. "I don't know that it's going to be an issue of having new ideas," he said. "I think it's going to be an issue of consistency, emphasizing the importance of the message, and translating to senior levels of government the more human impact the growers are experiencing." Citing the loss of jobs and revenue that have resulted from the decline of the tobacco industry, Travale said real people are finding themselves in dire situations. "I feel the financial institutions are almost out of patience," he said. "And that of itself is dramatic…Plus health and social services is seeing increases as stress levels rise." For Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar, the crisis facing the tobacco industry, and how he believes the government should handle it, boils down to issues of fairness and respect. "Small urban environments make significant contributions to the coffers," he said, "but don't always get their fair share in return. It's the blue-collar workers who are the pulse, the heartbeat of our communities, and we want our fair share. Certainly, we require strong urban centres, but not at the expense of small urban centres." Citing the fact that large urban areas often feature prominently in upper-tier decision-making and the allocation of cash, Molnar said resolving the crisis facing tobacco will depend largely on teamwork. "Collectively, our ideas will come as a region, but each municipality has its own unique set of issues… We want to identify the common issues and find a regional solution…Real people are being affected by real economic situations created by those who are reaping the benefits. But these people have to have a choice." For his part, McElhone said he believes the government is working with stakeholders, not against them. "The government is working through every avenue they can," he said. "There are many industries relating to the tobacco industry…so it's a very complex situation. But we feel there's a strong awareness of the collapse of the industry." McElhone didn't say if or when the board would put forward another proposal for an exit strategy, but did say that all parties concerned are ready and willing to sit down and talk about the mechanics of it. "Right now, the proposal before the board is open for discussion." Although the issue of a tobacco exit plan has long been politically charged, McElhone said the crux of the issue is its impact on real people. "We need to leave the political climate behind and look at the raw, moral aspect of what's happening," he said. "Let's get the job done." Enditem