Politicians Support Tobacco Exit Strategy

Source from:  By Stephan Kleiser STAFF WRITER Friday January 19, 2007 01/22/2007

Local officials support 'board' unanimously Tillsonburg got high marks Wednesday for hosting a special roundtable meeting to discuss, as one participant put it, "the deliberate destruction of an industry" and ways to assist producers and affected communities. Organized by Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar and attended by area politicians, tobacco board representatives and Haldimand-Norfolk MP Diane Finley, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the meeting was designed to address the tobacco crisis and discuss exit strategies for growers and solutions for affected communities. After several hours, participants unanimously agreed on a motion asking "the federal and provincial governments to commit to and implement a full and complete "exit strategy," similar in principle and objectives of the program introduced by the OFCTGMB, to be implemented prior to March 1, 2007." The resolution also talks about the devastating impact of the deterioration of this once strong rural economy and the resulting negative impact on their infrastructure, their ability to supply increasing demands on the social system and most importantly on the local individuals, and commercial entities that service their population. They agreed the marketing board's exit strategy, which was developed in consultation with and support from the growers, "proposes a responsible, dignified and absolute support mechanism for the individual and families who have invested their livelihoods in the tobacco industry, and to the communities." The resolution will be forwarded to all municipalities in the tobacco-growing region, and included with further communication to the federal and provincial ministers of, health, finance, labour, treasury board and agriculture. Discussion Finley, who received a warm reception and was repeatedly thanked and recognized for being one of the region's strongest supporters through her tireless work in Ottawa, said the difficulty facing the area is the fact it is competing with other, larger agriculture sectors also facing tough times. "I remember growing up in the area when you were lucky to get a job in tobacco," she said. "It was hard work, but it paid well, it got a lot of kids through university." She said the governments' role in the decline of the industry has been significant, "The province was even bragging about it the other day. "I also want to thank the board for being so active on the file," she said, adding that that kind of continuing pressure is just what is needed. She suggested everyone continue, individually and collectively to maintain and even increase that pressure by continuing to send letters, faxes and e-mails in regular intervals. "And you have to realize that this is a very localized issue for the federal government. It's only an issue for three or four of the 308 MPs in the house so it is a very small issues." And then there is the fact most other agriculture sectors, all of them significantly larger than tobacco, are out there competing for the same dollars. The grain and oil seed sector is seeing 40-year lows in prices, the cattle sector hasn't recovered from BSE and on and on it goes. Finley said she's had many calls from tobacco farmers crying on the telephone and she is fully aware of the devastating impact the decline of the industry is having on people, their livelihood, and the area as a whole. In order for the issue to get traction in Ottawa, she urges ongoing pressure on the government and stakeholders must continue to work together, just as they are doing at this special meeting. But she was also optimistic because the area is a great place to live in. "I have traveled a lot and there is no place I'd rather live. "We have quality of life, good weather, good people, nature, no congestion and there is a strong work ethic here," she said. "There is a lot here to attract people and industry to the area, we can build on our strengths and we must work together." She also asked other ag sectors and their problems be respected -they are all hurting - but of course they are not being actively targeted and driven out of business by "government policy," she said. Fred Neukamm, board chair, said "everyone in the room, to varying degrees, is finding it necessary to deal with repercussions resulting from the downturn in the tobacco industry." He talked of social upheaval plaguing local communities as businesses are closing, schools are threatened and uncertainty clouds the future of many. He said money is tight and anxiety is building for many people. Since 1998, the tobacco crop has been reduced by 63 per cent and the impact has had a devastating effect on families and the local economy. Participants also heard that growers get a mere 10 cents from an $8 pack of cigarettes. Under the marketing board's exit strategy, which proposes a small levy on cigarettes which means it will be self funded, tobacco companies and governments would see no decrease in profits and taxes and as such there really shouldn't be any reason for them to oppose the exit plan. Tillsonburg's mayor said he is excited about the results of the meeting, the common message and the way in which community leaders and stakeholders raised their concerns together and spoke with one voice. "We are all partners in this, we have all endorsed a common strategy and we will continue to work together towards our common goal." Enditem