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.