Contacts - Minister of Health (Federal Government Contact)

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/07/cigarette-packaging.html

Recently, the Canadian Government decided to scrap an initiative to re-vamp cigarette packaging; after already spending millions of dollars. They decided to instead focus on contraband cigarettes. This is short-sighted as it is important to take multi-directional approaches to smoking cessation.

Take the time to contact the following individuals:
Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health
Phone: 613-957-0200
FAX: 613-952-1154
E-mail: Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca

Glenda Yates, Deputy Minister of Health
Phone: 613-952-8422
FAX: 613-952-5989
E-mail: glenda.yeates@hc-sc.gc.ca

Anne-Marie Robinson, Associate Deputy Minister
Phone: 613-957-7701
FAX: 613-957-1118
E-mail: anne-marie.robinson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Here is a sample letter:

I was extremely disappointed of the decision to scrap updating the warning labels on cigarette packages. Not only are we extremely behind other countries on this issue (in terms of graphic pictures and how much of the packaging is covered), but we have already spent millions of dollars on this project.

While I understand it's important to spread funds across various areas to tackle the issue of smoking, it is crucial that we don't take a uni-directional approach. Contraband tobacco may be an important area to target, but it isn't going to do anything for those who can afford cigarettes.

The effects of smoking already cost the health care system millions of tax dollars. It would be short-sighted to think that we cannot afford this initiative because in reality, we cannot afford not changing the packaging of cigarettes.

I truly urge you to go ahead with this project. In addition to improving the health of Canadians, it is going to save the system a lot of money in the long run.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

Toronto Mayor & City Council Contact Information (Updated)

mayor_ford@toronto.ca,

councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca, councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca, councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca, councillor_augimeri@toronto.ca, councillor_dford@toronto.ca, councillor_moeser@toronto.ca, councillor_bailao@toronto.ca, councillor_fragedakis@toronto.ca, councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca, councillor_berardinetti@toronto.ca, councillor_grimes@toronto.ca, councillor_palacio@toronto.ca, councillor_carroll@toronto.ca, councillor_holyday@toronto.ca, councillor_parker@toronto.ca, councillor_pasternak@toronto.ca, councillor_kelly@toronto.ca, councillor_cho@toronto.ca, councillor_colle@toronto.ca, councillor_layton@toronto.ca, councillor_perks@toronto.ca, councillor_perruzza@toronto.ca, councillor_lee@toronto.ca, councillor_crawford@toronto.ca, councillor_crisanti@toronto.ca, councillor_lindsay_luby@toronto.ca, councillor_robinson@toronto.ca, councillor_shiner@toronto.ca, councillor_mammoliti@toronto.ca, councillor_davis@toronto.ca, councillor_debaeremaeker@toronto.ca, councillor_matlow@toronto.ca, councillor_stintz@toronto.ca, councillor_thompson@toronto.ca, councillor_mcconnell@toronto.ca, councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca, councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca, councillor_mcmahon@toronto.ca, councillor_wongtam@toronto.ca, councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca, councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca, councillor_doucette@toronto.ca, councillor_filion@toronto.ca, councillor_milczyn@toronto.ca,


SAMPLE LETTER:
Sample Letter

December 8 2010,

Honourable Mayor and Members of Toronto City Council,

Yesterday was a remarkable day for the city of Toronto. We received a major report from the Ontario Ombudsman outlining the major failures of the G20. The report basically stated what I and others have been discussing for months (we even had a discussion of human rights failure of the G20 here at our school).

While I wont outline the results from the report, because I hope you have taken the time to read it as it concerns the citizens of your city, I will say that there was a massive failure on the part of the Toronto police, in particular Chief Blair.

In addition to the human rights abuses that took place, the provincial government and Toronto Police were not informing citizens about their rights:

"There was a premeditated conscious plan not to announce the existence of the regulation or the reviving of this war time act, this relic. The government essentially...didn't want the public to know. (There was no) mention that police had the right according to a 1939 law to arbitrarily detain citizens kilometers away from the fence, to search their belongings...that was a conscious, premeditated decision by the authorities." -Andre Marin

In addition, the Toronto Chief of Police purposely, and admittedly, lied about the 5 meter fence rule. When asked about whether it existed, he replied "No, but I was trying to keep the criminals out.” The truth did not come out fully until after the G20.

Lastly, Mr. Marin added there was a lack of cooperation by Toronto police in his investigation.

I am begging you to please take action on this report, beginning with the dismissal of Chief Blair. He has lost the confidence of Torontonians, citizens of Canada, and visitors from around the world. How can we have a police chief who admittedly lied to Canadians about their rights, a lie which resulted in the unlawful search and detention of innocent persons, still remain as head of police in the largest city in Canada.

Again, I implore you to take action on this issue and I look forward to your response.

Contact Info for Federal and Ontario Representatives

List and Contact Info for MP's (Federal):
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E

List and Contact Info for MPP's (Ontario):
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

Contact Info for Ontario Premier and Chief of Police

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty can be contacted at dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org (more contact info can be found here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_detail.do?locale=en&ID=66)

Also you can submit an online web form to contact him:
https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp?Lang=EN

Chief of Police William Blair can be reached at (I believe, but am not sure) william.blair@torontopolice.on.ca
His phone number is: Chief of Police 416-808-8000

You can also contact the Toronto Police Professional Standards:
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/professionalstandards/
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/directory/mail.php?id=284

Also you can contact the Toronto Police Community Relations
Main Number 416-808-7070

Full Directory: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/directory/

Letter to Mayor & City Council

mayor_miller@toronto.ca, councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca, councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca, councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca, councillor_ashton@toronto.ca, councillor_hall@toronto.ca, councillor_ootes@toronto.ca, councillor_ootes@toronto.ca, councillor_heaps@toronto.ca, councillor_palacio@toronto.ca, councillor_bussin@toronto.ca, councillor_holyday@toronto.ca, councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca, councillor_carroll@toronto.ca, councillor_jenkins@toronto.ca, councillor_parker@toronto.ca, councillor_cho@toronto.ca, councillor_kelly@toronto.ca, councillor_perks@toronto.ca, councillor_davis@toronto.ca, councillor_lee@toronto.ca, councillor_perruzza@toronto.ca, councillor_debaeremaeker@toronto.ca, councillor_lindsay_luby@toronto.ca, councillor_rae@toronto.ca, councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca, councillor_mammoliti@toronto.ca, councillor_saundercook@toronto.ca, councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca, councillor_mcconnell@toronto.ca, councillor_shiner@toronto.ca, councillor_feldman@toronto.ca, councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca, councillor_stintz@toronto.ca, councillor_filion@toronto.ca, councillor_milczyn@toronto.ca, councillor_thompson@toronto.ca, councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca, councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca, councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca, councillor_ford@toronto.ca, councillor_moeser@toronto.ca, councillor_walker@toronto.ca, councillor_giambrone@toronto.ca, councillor_moscoe@toronto.ca


Honorable Mayor and Members of the Toronto City Council,

Today a truth came out which truly disturbed the hearts and minds of Canadians. Toronto Chief of Police Bill Blair admitted that he purposely mislead Canadians. Both the police and provincial government kept up the misconception that any zone within 5 metres of the G20 fence (which went through the downtown core) was included in the temporary regulation that was secretly passed on June 2.

While it was the wording that seemed to cause the confusion, the police and provincial government did not correct anyone. The police even went as far as falsely arresting people who came within 5 metres of the fence; this lie has led to inappropriate search and seizure powers which should not have been there.

By not correcting media, Police Chief Blair and the Toronto Police have lost the faith of Canadians.

I ask that you call for Chief Blair's resignation and demand an independent, public inquiry which should investigate:
-How the police and provincial government misled the public about the G20 temporary public works regulation
-How over a billion dollars of public money did not prevent the violence that transpired during the G20
-Where the police were during the high point of the violent acts on Saturday afternoon
-How the security measures affected human rights including freedom of expression and assembly
-The alleged abuses of powers by police officers

The public inquiry must include mechanisms for the public to have their say and contribute their stories, media and concerns of the events during the G20.

I look forward to your response,


**Full Contact Info Can Be Found Here: http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp