OTTAWA – Joe Preston, MP for Elgin – Middlesex – London is pleased to announce that he will chair a task force of municipal leaders to identify existing programs that can provide support and help to tobacco region communities.

“I am pleased to have been asked to chair this task force, not only to help communities find viable solutions in the wake of the declining tobacco industry, but to also find long term economic development strategies,” Joe Preston, MP said.

This task force is set to meet within the next ten (10) days to begin work on finding economic development strategies to assist ailing tobacco region communities.

On Monday, March 31 Mr. Preston met with Minister Ritz, other Conservative MPs’ from Ontario, as well as tobacco manufacturer and growers, to discuss issues facing the tobacco industry.  Mr. Preston remains committed to working with all stakeholders to find a workable way forward.

Mr. Preston and the Government will continue to work with tobacco growers to help them access existing programs.

The meeting with MP’s and mayors initiated an important dialogue that will lead to important assistance for communities that are now dealing with the tobacco issue.