The latest report out of Queen’s Park regarding the Liberal government’s plan to introduce a province-wide smoking ban in all public places was greeted with mixed feelings by the Northwestern Health Unit.
The McGuinty government announced earlier this week it intends to go forward with sweeping legislation, but that it could be up to three years before it comes into effect.
Bill Limerick, the health unit’s director of environmental health, said although he is reassured by the government’s commitment to implement such a province-wide ban in the future, he feels the delay is unnecessary and ultimately will prove to be costly in terms of lives and money.
“No, I’m not pleased with the delay,” Limerick said Monday from his office in Kenora. “We’re happy they’ve got a plan. We’re not happy with the length of the plan.”
In the meantime, Limerick is hoping the health unit’s current legal efforts will bear fruit much sooner.
The health unit has had an action before the appeal board of the Health Promotion and Protection Act since early last spring, which currently is in the final stages of litigation.
In fact, Limerick said the board’s ruling is expected to come down next month. “We’re waiting for the outcome, we’re hoping by the next two-three weeks,” he remarked.
If the appeal board’s ruling is in favour of the health unit, it then will implement an enforcement program—backed up by fines—to ban smoking in all workplaces within its jurisdiction.
If it goes the other way, the unit then will reconsider its strategy.
One important factor is money. The ongoing court fight is taking a toll on the health unit’s financial resources and that, says Limerick, is something that will have to taken into account before proceeding further.
“We just don’t know,” he admitted. “If it [the appeal board] rules in our favour, then great, away we go. If it rules against us or partly against us, we’re going to have to look at resource issues—how far we will continue to fight.”
Limerick said legal costs to date amount to well over $100,000 and could go higher. But in his opinion, it is money well-spent.
“Even if it’s $200,000, what is the cost of acute care for one person with lung cancer?” he reasoned.
To help cover the legal costs, the health unit has appealed to local health professionals, particularly doctors, for financial support. And Limerick said there’s been no shortage of donations from doctors—and others in the private sector—who feel the fight is worth it.
And now with a new government at Queen’s Park, Limerick hopes to garner some public funding, as well.
“We’re hoping the new government might help kick in,” he said.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
