Squeegee bylaw: Hold public hearings, NDP says - Toronto, CA FWD

Tom Boland (wgcp@earthlink.net)
Wed, 17 Nov 1999 22:46:24 -0800 (PST) 

http://www.interlog.com/~cjazz/index.htm
FWD  Citizens on the Web [Toronto & Canada progressive news]

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NDP Leader Howard Hampton fights Harris attack on Boy
Scouts and the Poor - Nov/99
info from Howard Hampton
   NDP leader Howard Hampton has charged that the anti-Squeegee
bylaw would outlaw such things as student car washes, firefighter roadside
fund-raising drives, Boy Scout Apple Days and other good works that would
cause a person or group to be on a public roadway or near public transit
stops.
   In response Mike Harris' Attorney General, Jim Flaherty has told The
Toronto Star that charity car washes and volunteer firefighters stopping
traffic to ask for donations may soon be a thing of the past.  "They will have
to obey the law," Mr. Flaherty says.
   Hampton now replies that it is ludicrous and silly for the government to
waste its time and police resources on a law that targets the province's
poorest citizens and 400 kids in a few big cities when there are so many
serious crime problems to address. With the added fact that the new law will
also curtail charitable causes, the NDP vows to push the Harris government
to hold public hearings so citizens can have their say.
   You may want to get a head-start by contacting government House Leader
Norm Sterling to tell him you support public hearings. Even better, ask for
the entire law to be struck down as there's no evidence anywhere that it will
reduce crime in our communities.
   Mr. Sterling's phone number is (416) 314-7824.  The fax number is
(416) 326-2913. E-mail him at norman.sterling@mia.gov.on.ca or write 900
Bay Street, Mowat Block, 5th Floor, Toronto  M7A 1A1.
    You can also register your opposition to the government's squeegee law
as it affects charity by visiting www.ndp.on.ca .  We'll take your concerns
directly to Premier Mike Harris.For more information, phone Hampton's
office at (416) 325-8300.

END FORWARD


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