21 April 2010
Hamilton Minister Won't Answer Lakeport Questions
Miller calls on Aggelonitis to review Labatt's efforts to eliminate competition

QUEEN'S PARK—NDP MPP Paul Miller (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek ) asked Minister of Consumer Services Sophia Aggelonitis to look at Labatt’s recent efforts to eliminate brewing competition while ignoring serious offers to protect good jobs.

Shockingly, the Minister – who is also the MPP from Hamilton Mountain – responded by redirecting the question to the Minister of Economic Development. The exchange can be viewed online by clicking here.

“Either Ms. Aggelonitis is avoiding her ministerial responsibility or she’s being censored by the Premier’s Office,” said Miller. “In any case, it’s bad news for Hamilton. These are serious questions that deserve serious answers.”

Last week, Labatt rejected a serious offer by North American Breweries for Labatt’s plant and equipment. That offer would save 150 jobs in Hamilton ’s hard-hit manufacturing sector. Now Labatt is offering the City support to find a new tenant, but only on the condition that the new tenant is not a brewer.

Miller noted that Minister Aggelonitis is responsible for overseeing the alcohol industry and anti-competition in Ontario.

“Labatt’s move was clearly aimed at stifling competition,” said Miller. “That’s bad for consumers, and it’s even worse when you think about the 150 families that are left struggling to pay the bills.”

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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