Bill S-13 questioned

From Ottawa, 11 Nov/98:

Government House Leader Don Boudria says that The 'Tobacco Industry Responsibility Act', Bill S-13, is out of order and the Government will seek a ruling to that effect.

This Private Member's Bill, introduced by Senator Colin Kenny, would impose a .50 cent 'levy' on every carton of cigarettes to create a new Canadian Anti-Smoking Youth Foundation. The Bill is slated to be introduced in the House of Commons next week.

The House Speaker will be asked to rule it out of order because it's a tax bill, and under the Constitution, tax bills cannot originate in the Senate.

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Out of order it is indeed. "Out of order" as well in the sense that it is an intrusion on parental rights of guidance, and the fact that those who use the product are compelled to furnish the funds to promote a cause in which they do not believe. These fanatics fail to acknowledge that there are two sides to this issue, and the presentation of only one side of it is propaganda - pure and simple.

Creation of another bureaucracy also creates pay-cheques for those within its 'fold', which is likely the primary goal of Bill S-13.