From FORCES Canada
FORCES - ESSAYS AND
ARTICLES
From FORCES Canada
ARCHIVE 4
Articles logged from February to May 1999
 TAX FOES
TELL TORIES TO BUTT OUT - "Our mission is to create a
province where people, the economy and the environment are free from the harmful effect of
tobacco." said alliance spokesman Joy McGill. Edmonton Sun, 01 May 1999 (Alberta)
The economy Ms. McGill? Across Canada, the tobacco industry employs close to 43,000 people in the growing, manufacturing, transportation, wholesale and retail sectors. The federal and provincial governments together collect close to $5 billion in taxes and duties on tobacco every year. What industry will the 'alliance' attack next for a 'pay out' in order support the 43,000 workers they intend to see unemployed, and of course, their own paycheques? Some of the people who make their living off of the taxpayers' backs really don't have much economic sense - or very much of any other kind of sense for that matter - especially those in the anti-smoking industry. One of our readers, in commenting on the linked newspaper article, says it best: "It's too bad common sense can't be legislated. Maybe the non-smoking radicals should start smoking. It may just improve their brain cell count." "It's too bad common sense can't be legislated. Maybe the non-smoking radicals should start smoking. It may just improve their brain cell count."
The credentials of the gentlemen mentioned are valid, and recognized. Undermining the credibility and work of scientists whose results do not fall into line with the 'Smoke Free Canada/World' agenda seems to be the only defense available to the anti-smoking faction. The scientific community in general has lost much of the trust and confidence they formerly enjoyed by allowing themselves to become involved in a political agenda, camouflaged as a 'health measure'. Social engineering is extremely distasteful to those who have not agreed to be part of the experiment, and the public isn't as ignorant as some people would like it to be.
Evidently, this government thinks that the settlements made in the U.S.A. indicate their chances would be better there, and besides - the awards are much higher. Ontario knows that the industry in Canada fights back, as British Columbia found out when a counter suit was launched in response to their efforts to 'recover costs'. A "criminal conspiracy" just begging for investigation is the anti smoking cartel's advancement of their agenda by continuing to disseminate false information on the 'dangers' of secondhand smoke. Spreading hatred and fear of smokers by perpetuating a myth, and causing public anti smoking laws to be based upon it, is a collusive social crime. Their goal of a 'Smoke Free Canada/World' does not justify the means they employ to obtain it. They certainly teach 'the children' well don't they? Ontario's manoeuvre makes one ashamed to be a Canadian.
As the linked release from the Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition (FOCC) states, ...."Clearly, they have been misled by their bureaucrats."......."it takes courage to admit a mistake, in this case, it wasn't the CRD directors' fault - they can only decide on the information provided to them. Now the facts are clearly detailed in this book, and it's time for this economically crippling bylaw to be rescinded." It's to be hoped that the CRD Directors will take time from their busy schedules to learn how they've been manipulated - and throw out a Bylaw based on hyperbole and lies.
These people don't seem to understand 'the children' at all, and it's difficult to think that any of them are actually parents. How do you get kids to do something? Tell them they can't, shouldn't, or it isn't good for them. You don't need a string of academic degrees to be a successful parent, but you do need common sense enough not to wave a red flag for 'the children' to rebel against. The following excerpt from an article in 'On Health' speaks volumes: 'No one seems to know why the next generation has returned to tobacco, especially considering all the smoking-prevention efforts directed at them.' "We're seeing an intense amount of smoking, despite everything the anti-tobacco industry has done," says Cincinnati pediatrician Richard Heyman, chairman of the committee on substance abuse of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “I don’t know that anyone knows why it happened,” Dr. Clayton says. “These are all the kids who got the biggest dose of information on the negative consequences of tobacco.”
Perhaps being put on notice that "they could end up forcing the companies to withdraw their products" had a lot to do with that decision. With no legal tobacco products available for sale in B.C. for the 25% of the population who smoke, it's obvious that smuggling would run rampant and law enforcement costs would sky-rocket. Combine that with the loss of revenue through the exorbitant taxation this Province enjoys (highest in Canada), and it's no wonder this attempt at extortion is on the back burner. The Hon. P. Priddy, Health Minister is quoted as saying, "My intention is to proceed with it," (she said, refusing to be specific) "When we're talking about the health of children, I don't back off on threats." In case Ms. Priddy doesn't know, CHILDREN are not legally entitled to smoke - ADULTS are; CHILDREN grow up - and ADULTS make decisions. A one-sided 'education' campaign based on propaganda hardly results in an informed choice. It appears that this Government thinks it has a mandate to make the 'right' one on behalf of everyone. Maybe it's been forgotten that we are talking about a legal product.
Governments don't seem to understand that they're elected to carry out the wishes of the people - not special interest lobby groups.
Aside from some 'funding violations', there may be some Municipal Act violations regarding the amendment procedures, and some misleading by senior staff with regard to informing the public and Capital Regional District (CRD) Directors on the cost and success of a similar California law. As well, the entire premise on which this bylaw is based, (the 'hazards of secondhand smoke') is false and needs to be addressed by the Ministry of Health. This continued deception to advance the 'Smoke Free Canada' agenda is contributing slowly but surely to the undermining of confidence and trust in the scientific community, and governments that pander to it.
Of particular interest in letter #1, is the complete non-aversion during an election campaign to the use of smokers, and their homes, by a political candidate. Finding willing campaign workers among those whose habit is now deemed disgusting, may present a problem for politicians of that type when the next campaign gets under way.
...........(we) don't need or want "the folks from Action on Smoking and health (ASH) rapping at the door to lecture us on the evils of cigarettes and tempt us with the promise of a cruise to declare our homes and cars smoke-free zones. As part of the campaign, which started Monday (March 15th) in Calgary, we'll also get information on nicotine. Just what we need. More tips on how to live. More information on nicotine. What is there left to say about it?" Cruises? Evidently ASH has taken on a 'parental' role and is using 'lollipops' in order to get the children to do what they want. When are these people going to learn they're dealing with ADULTS - and where is the money coming from to fund these 'rewards'?
Linked, is a good article from one of our national newspapers, the NATIONAL POST; a solution to the Capital Regional District's 'Gordian knot' is proposed, but it's too sane and sensible for anti-smoking fanatics. We certainly hope that any unsuspecting tourists are advised of the current situation in that area of Vancouver Island and make plans to travel to a more hospitable clime. This is a beautiful Province but unfortunately, part of it is rather 'sick' at the moment.
The lifestyle police in that area are doggedly determined to make life miserable and inhospitable for smokers, and for owners of establishments who dare to defy their 'clean-air' bylaw which came into effect on January 01st. You work hard for your money - take it somewhere it's appreciated. Evidently the 'economic geniuses' over there haven't figured out that smokers' dollars can impact the tourist industry, upon which they're heavily reliant.
Mr. Jones evidently has more sense than the Capital Regional District (CRD) Board, and realizes that the Courts have far better things to do than tie up valuable resources and time with infractions to their inane bylaw.
It's no wonder investment goes elsewhere, and the province of B.C. has such a bleak economic outlook. With governments who arbitrarily change the rules under which you operate, investors are wise to drop their $$s somewhere more hospitable. Kudos to Brian Mayzes, Victoria Freedom of Choice Chairman, for standing up for his "customers' rights" as well as his own.
" I understand that in these isolated situations, licensees or staff have allowed or encouraged tensions to escalate to the point that the safety of persons within the licensed establishment, including those charged with the responsibility for enforcing the bylaw, may have been at risk." This ill-conceived bylaw is not working, is not wanted, and is creating social havoc. The 'smoke police' are unable to enforce the bylaw themselves since people recognize the fact that "a law that doesn't respect the rights of all citizens, does not in itself deserve to be respected." They have to call in the 'troops' with the not-so-subtle threat of the loss of a license that is vital to these businesses.As the tobacco nazis now realize, this bylaw is not recognized and voluntarily accepted by the general population, so on March 10th the CRD will consider amending it to ensure its 'popularity': Welcome to the 'New World Order'CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT STAFF REPORT TO THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1999 SUBJECT: Proposed Policy for enforcement of CRD Clean Air Bylaw BACKGROUND:..... During the month of January the policy that was followed was one of general enforcement through a blend of compliance visits to restaurants, pubs, hotels, etc.. During the month of February the policy that was followed was compliance visits to problem premises where there was open defiance of the Bylaw. The compliance process has involved daytime and evening visits. For the evening visits, the compliance teams have increased in size with the addition of a CRD Bylaw Enforcement Officer. During the compliance process a total of 122 tickets have been issued, and the police have been called by the Bylaw Enforcement Officers on 17 occasions. The mood of the non-compliance group (which includes some owners) is becoming increasingly hostile, and a continuation of the existing compliance procedures will inevitably result in physical confrontation and possible injury to the Bylaw Enforcement staff members. This is an area of major concern to the Bylaw Enforcement staff. COMMENTS: As indicated in the attached (to original document) correspondence from the CRD board solicitor, the BC supreme Court, in a decision rendered on February 1, 1999, upheld the City of Vancouver's "Smoke-Free Bylaw No. 6580" and in particular, section 6.2 of that Bylaw that made it an offence for the proprietor of a business to permit smoking in the business premises contrary to the Bylaw. The Board can amend the CRD "Clean Air Bylaw" to obtain the same enforcement status as the City of Vancouver's "Smoke-Free Bylaw No. 6580" (copy of bylaw amendment attached to original document). In addition, to the amendment to the CRD "Clean Air Bylaw" it is recommended that the following be considered as Board policy for enforcement purposes: For Proprietor: after three written warnings or tickets the Board may consider a civil injunction to the BC Supreme Court. For Smokers: after three written warnings or tickets the Board may consider a civil injunction to the BC Supreme Court As indicated in the attached (to original document) correspondence, the advantage of a civil injunction application is that the owner will be subject to a Supreme Court Order and risks the business being shut down, the costs of Supreme Court litigation and the potential for a fine for contempt of Court if they continue to defy the Bylaw and any Supreme Court injunction Order.
Of course "there's less fun out there". In the grim determination to compel everyone to hang on to what constitutes life in the estimation of the lifestyle police, it isn't even a consideration. "The CRD believes itself to be omnipotent"- Buddy DeVito, Colwood Councillor If Mr. DeVito cares to run in the next municipal election - he'll probably win by a landslide. We need more politicians like him, and we hope that voters in his area have taken note of his opposition to treating constituents as though they need 'baby-sitting'.
Do the board members of this regional district not understand that if a law is as difficult to enforce as this one, IT ISN'T WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT? Who elected them? Who are they representing? It's high time the CRD board paused and reflected upon whose interests they're suppose to be serving. Who asked them to protect adults from themselves? The flimsy pretext of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) hazards just doesn't hold up - check "THE WHOPPER"-the ETS lie. Perhaps they need to be reminded that they'll be up for re-election soon, or don't any of them plan on running for office again?
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