(Queen’s Park) – Today in the Ontario legislature, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop questioned Premier McGuinty about his Health Minister’s plans to include Royal Canadian Legions in new anti-smoking legislation.

Health Minister George Smitherman mentioned earlier this week that he will introduce legislation later this month to ban smoking in private clubs, including Royal Canadian Legion halls and strip clubs.

Dunlop twice asked the Premier if he plans to include legion halls and veterans’ establishments in the new anti-smoking legislation. On both occasions, the Premier refused to provide a direct response.

“The fact that the Premier avoided answering my questions clearly indicates to me that legion halls and veterans’ establishments will be part of his new smoking ban,” said Dunlop. “As I said earlier today in the House, I feel that any decision that would take away the right of a veteran to have a cigarette in a legion hall, would be a cruel and shameful decision.”

Dunlop noted that the McGuinty government issued a press release today to encourage Ontarians “to pay tribute to Canadian veterans during Veterans’ Week, the week leading up to Remembrance Day”.

“It’s ironic that the Liberals would send out a press release showing their concern for veterans on the same day that their Leader refused to stick up for veterans who smoke in legion halls,” said Dunlop.

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)