Mandate being requested to approve urgency of proposed Tobacco Law

02/05/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non that an important meeting for a proposed law to regulate the Kahnawà:ke tobacco industry is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

The purpose of the February 10th Community Consultation meeting is to gain approval to move the law forward through the Community Decision Making Process and to approve the urgency of the law in order to enact legislation within a shorter timeframe than the regular process.

The proposed law was brought to the Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) last year by a working group consisting of representatives of the MCK and the Kahnawake Tobacco Association. Representatives from both organizations will make presentations at the beginning of the February 10th meeting.

The proposed law is regulatory in nature and would normally use the ‘Type 2’ process that deals with regulatory laws. However an agreement was reached by the MCK and the KTA to create a unique process specifically for this law to ensure that the entire community has the opportunity to participate in all facets of the process.

“Almost every person in Kahnawà:ke is impacted in some way by the tobacco industry,” said Chief Bobby Patton, who is on the working group proposing the law. “Because of that, it was felt that the entire community should have input in the creation of a law.”

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8:30pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Those planning to attend are urged to visit the KLCC website, www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com, to view all of the relevant documents.