Apr 7, 2009
APRIL 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thornhill MPP demands answers for tax hikes on nicotine replacement therapies
(Queen?s Park) Ontario?s Minister of Health Promotion has neglected her responsibility and continues to standby idly as her government breaks its promise and hikes taxes on products that help Ontarians beat their tobacco addiction.
Shurman asked Minister Margarett Best why the McGuinty Government was breaking its election promise and raising taxes on nicotine replacement therapies and why, as Minister of Health Promotion, she has neglected to defend Ontarians from her government?s attacks on their health.
?Ontarians have the right to expect that their government is held to account and that government ministers take their responsibility to answer questions in the legislature seriously. Unfortunately, as we saw again today, that is not the case. Instead of providing Ontarians with an answer, the Minister of Health Promotion decided to retreat to government messaging,? Shurman pointed out.
On numerous occasions in the past Minister Best has avoided answering questions dealing with her portfolio, deflecting them instead to her colleagues. To ensure that Ontarians received the answers that they are entitled to, before presenting his question Shurman first asked the Minister for a commitment:
?Since past behavior is often the best indicator of future behavior, I feel that I should first ask the minister if she will commit to answering a question that pertains to her portfolio without deflecting to one of her colleagues.?
To watch Peter Shurman?s question to the Minister of Health Promotion please visit www.petershurman.com
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For more information please contact:
Monika Bujalska
Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, M.P.P. ? Thornhill
416-325-2505