Pubdate: Wed, 25 Feb 2009
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Joyce Savoline
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Kindos

WHAT'S GATOR TED'S TO DO?

Queen's Park's Conflicting Message

Three years and more than $30,000 later, Ted Kindos, owner of Gator 
Ted's, is still trying to keep his restaurant doors open.

Unfortunately, at a time when government should be making it easier 
to operate in tough times, Dalton McGuinty's government has wedged 
this owner into a no-win situation.

Two separate arms of the Ontario government are demanding that Ted 
follow their contrary rules and, if he agrees to the demands of 
either one, the other will shut him down.

What kind of a choice is that? Whom if anyone, should he believe?

This is not a case of different levels of government applying the 
rules differently. This is a government that is not able to make a 
decision over which of its divisions takes precedence.

Is the premier embarrassed?

I don't know, but he should be.

Minister Ted McMeekin replied to my question in the legislature 
saying that "this government is determined to find a way to support 
Ted (Kindos)" and yet he is being taken before the Human Rights 
Commission for following one of the latest McGuinty regulations - the 
Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

It was my expectation that Minister (Margarett) Best, responsible for 
the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, would be called upon to defend her own 
legislation. I was surprised when it was referred to McMeekin in a 
completely unrelated ministry.

You may remember that when I introduced my Private Member's Bill, it 
was Minister Best who, I believe, ordered my amendment that proposed 
to include medicinal marijuana, to be defeated in committee. I 
brought that amendment forward to prevent this very scenario. 
However, the McGuinty government did not feel that there was "enough 
science" to justify the inclusion of medicinal marijuana in its act.

Well, I guess one of this government's ministries sees it very 
differently and clearly believes that medicinal marijuana poses 
enough of a risk to the public to shut down Gator Ted's.

What I fail to understand, as a member of the legislature, is why the 
government refuses to give him a clear answer?

Why must he be dragged through the expense of a human rights tribunal 
when he is merely upholding the law of this province?

There is something morally reprehensible and very disturbing about a 
government that allows its citizens to pay the price for its 
inconsistent policies.

I encourage you to write to Minister Ted McMeekin - who has suggested 
that he will not let Ted Kindos flounder - and tell him what you think.

He can be reached at  liberal.ola.org
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom