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• Illegal tobacco trade hurting producers: MPP 

Canadian politicians and tobacco producers are clamouring for action on the illegal tobacco trade after a U. S. grand jury in the state of Washington indicted two founding partners of a Six Nations cigarette maker accused of taking part in a conspiracy to supply contraband cigarettes.

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett said in weekend interview that he couldn't speak to the specifics of the case, but he was quick to say enforcement eff orts north of the border have been woefully insufficient in countering cross-border contraband activities.

"In Canada and, particularly, Ontario, we are not seeing adequate enforcement with respect to the illegal trade of tobacco products, and both the federal and provincial governments need to do more," Barrett said.

"This trade eliminated most of our Ontario tobacco growers who cannot compete while producing a legitimate product. We've seen the blatant establishment of smoke shacks, particularly on Highway 6 and Highway 54, and not enough is being done to stop it."

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