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 tmcmeekin.mpp@ liberal.ola.org