Relayed
by GLOBALink -
The International Tobacco-Control Network
by PETER McLAUGHLIN,
The Daily News Source: Halifax (NS) Daily News, 2002-05-24,
via tobacco.org Region:CANADA
Category: Smokefree Policies
URL: http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=7ADA22A0-2C9B-47B0-
93CC-2B8828A5423F
May 24,
2002 - Sackville-Beaver Bank MLA Barry Barnet, the Tory backbencher
who has been trying to introduce amendments to strengthen government's
Smoke-Free Places law, admitted defeat yesterday.
The caucus
rebel got his chance to speak on the bill, but he won't be allowed
to table an amendment ordering an outright ban in public places.
"I'm
obviously, at the end of the day, not going to get my way; I
understand that,'' he said. "I guess I get frustrated over
the politics behind it.''
During his
45-minute speech, he praised the legislation, while saying it
should be tougher. He still held out hope he would be able to
table his changes.
But immediately
after his speech, he left the chamber to tell reporters there
is almost no chance of getting his amendment on the floor. He
put the odds at nearly nil.
Liberal
House leader Manning MacDonald, who twice during debate challenged
the government to allow Barnet to table his amendments, accused
the government of choking off debate.
"We're
not here to do interesting things, we're here to achieve the
agenda of government," Tory House leader Ron Russell said
outside the chamber.
"And
part of our agenda is put in place the strongest anti-smoking
legislation in the country."
Sources
say the government plans to run out the clock, burning up the
20-hour time limit with debate on generalities, rather than
a clause-by-clause analysis of the bill, which would give Barnet
and others an opportunity to introduce amendments.
MacDonald
said it's clear the government is fearful of a caucus revolt
over the proposed legislation, which got the thumbs-down from
many bars and restaurants, and a lukewarm reception from some
health professionals.
"It
obvious they're afraid some members will vote with Barnet against
that bill and for the new clause,'' he said.
