FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 17, 2016
SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has proposed legislation to address trafficking and the black market trade.
Barrett’s Bill 162 – Commission of Inquiry into Illegal Trade and Trafficking of People, Drugs, Money, Tobacco and Weapons Act, 2016 – was introduced in the Legislature on Feb. 17. The bill calls for a time-limited commission to be struck to examine the ongoing problems and suggest solutions.
Barrett has seen the effects of illicit tobacco on the tobacco-growing economy within his riding, and has long advocated for action. The extent of the program was driven home when he had four separate media outlets from Mexico and Central America visit his Simcoe office in regards to local contraband appearing in their countries.
According to freelance journalist Ed Myers, “All smuggling-related crimes are interconnected — organized crime networks that are used to smuggle contraband tobacco are the same as the ones with the same criminals who are running drugs, weapons or humans to fuel more serious crimes or fund terrorist attacks.”
“Crime groups pervade all parts of our society and our daily life, and are a threat to peace, order and good government,” Barrett said. “Information and intelligence sharing among all of us, including law enforcement agencies and those responsible for public safety, must be enhanced – hence my call for an inquiry.”
Barrett’s bill will be debated in the Legislative Assembly the afternoon of March 24.
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446
or by e-mail at at toby.barrett@pc.ola.org