Relayed
by GLOBALink - The International Tobacco-Control Network
By BRIAN
FLINN & PETER McLAUGHLIN / The Daily News Source: Canada.com,
2002-05-14, via tobacco.org
Region:CANADA Category: Smokefree Policies
URL: http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=FD46A0DA-38DE-4F53-
9178-DD69AB168B57
A Tory backbencher wants to toss out the "workable compromise"
on smoking Health Minister Jamie Muir introduced last month.
Sackville-Beaver
Bank MLA Barry Barnet plans to table an amendment to the Smoke-Free
Places Act next week that would significantly toughen his own
government's legislation.
It's an
unusual move that would force all indoor public places, including
bars and restaurants, to ban smoking entirely. Muir's bill allows
businesses to install smoking rooms and lets smokers puff away
in bars after 9 p.m.
"The
government can and should do more to protect the public,"
Barnet said yesterday. The former Halifax regional councillor
who was frustrated at the city's aborted attempt to phase out
all public smoking, said he isn't sure if he could support Muir's
bill in its current form. And he doesn't know if he'll be punished
by his caucus for speaking out against the legislation.
"I
have not asked at caucus whether or not I should have permission,"
he said. "I have simply done what I believe I have a right
to do."
It's unclear
whether Barnet's amendment will get enough support to become
part of the new anti-smoking law. Both the NDP and Liberals
have made it clear they plan to introduce similar amendments,
so it will likely get 21 opposition votes.
That leaves
Barnet looking for the support of four of his Conservative colleagues
to gain a majority of the 51 members in committee of the whole.
The House Speaker doesn't vote.
Some fellow
backbenchers say they also want tougher legislation. Kings North
MLA Mark Parent said it would be "silly" to vote against
a bill that limits public smoking, but he would prefer a complete
ban like the one the Town of Kentville is considering.
He said
he may have to support amendments, even if they're suggested
by the opposition.
"If
the amendments are reasoned amendments that fit what the Town
of Kentville has pushed for, I'd be hard-pressed not to support
them," Parent said.
Preston
MLA David Hendsbee said he wants a tougher ban and believes
the bill will be amended. Guysborough-Port Hawkesbury MLA Ron
Chisholm said he likes the legislation but is receptive to changes.
Kings West
MLA Jon Carey said he would have prefered a 100-per-cent ban,
but supports the government bill as it is.
Colchester-Musquodoboit
Valley MLA Brooke Taylor said he's inclined to support the bill,
but wants a free vote. Queens MLA Kerry Morash and Chester-St.
Margarets MLA John Chattaway said they like the bill in its
current form.
bflinn@hfxnews.southam.ca
Copyright
2002 The Daily News
