Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2009 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/4VLGnvUl Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616 Author: Fiona Isaacson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) PC HOPEFUL WOULD REFORM RIGHTS BODY The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has gone "awry" with a commissioner who censures the media and champions "the rights of marijuana smokers," says a contender for the Ontario Progressive Conservative party leadership. "Unfortunately, human rights bureaucracy is broken," Tim Hudak told the media at a campaign stop at Roland's Steakhouse on Highway 7 yesterday. "It means that people who have genuine concerns about discrimination or harassment are on long waiting lists while the Liberally-appointed chair of the commission Barbara Hall is out censuring the media or (championing) the rights of marijuana smokers in restaurants." The Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP said he wants to reform "our human rights bureaucracy" and "get the political advocacy out of our system." "I believe as conservatives we need to show leadership, to help out families, make Ontario a better place and fix a broken system," Hudak said. At a debate last Friday in Markham, leadership contenders Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees and Whitby-Ajax MPP Christine Elliott said scrapping the tribunal could lead to the same voter reaction as former leader John Tory's doomed election promise to fund religious schools. Yesterday, Hudak called that idea "over the top." "If we (Progressive Conservatives) were always worried that Dalton McGuinty wouldn't like our ideas, or the Toronto Star editorial board, we would have never brought in work for welfare or scrap job quotas in this province," he said. Randy Hiller, MPP for Lanark- Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, who is also running for the leadership, has said he wants to scrap the tribunal. Asked what he would do for Peterborough if elected premier, Hudak said too many jobs leave the area. "We need to lower the tax burden on businesses, on family so they can spend on the local economy and cut red tape to help our entrepreneurs flourish." Hudak also said the harmonized sales tax (HST) will take a "major bite out of the pocket book of the middle class and seniors." "The more people hear about it, the angrier they get," he said. Hudak didn't answer when asked if he would repeal the tax if he became premier. The HST is scheduled to come into effect in July 2010. About 65 PC supporters were at the campaign stop, said a member of Hudak's staff. NOTE: Tim Hudakwas first elected in 1995 and was a minister under premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves. - --- MAP posted-by: Doug