Frustrating and disappointing.
That’s the reaction of Saugeen 1st Nation Chief Randall Kahgee Jr. to recent statements made by Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch.
Murdoch charges that non-natives are being sold tax-free cigarettes at native smoke shops.
He also says underage teens can buy the smokes without fear of having their I. D. checked.
Kahgee says it’s a serious allegation and if Murdoch thinks it’s an issue, he wonders why the leadership at Saugeen First Nation was not contacted to discuss it further.
He says in addition, he and his council have not received any correspondence from the Grey Bruce Health Unit offering to develop tobacco control issues.
Kahgee says the reserve is a part of Murdoch’s constituency base but no contact has been made to talk about the allegations and that’s unacceptable.
When asked if he has seen evidence of cigarettes being sold to minors, Kahgee says he has no information that indicates the practice is going on, except the unsubstantiated claims of MPP Murdoch.
