Madam Justice Blackmailing BC
As you will read in this article, Madam Justice Mary Southin is blackmailing the Province of British Columbia. She basically said that it they don't allow her smoke inside her chambers (an act which has been banned in all BC public buildings since 1998), she will resign.The Attorney General, Geoff Plant, caved in and decided to spend about $19,000 to install an special air-ventilation in her chambers so that she may smoke inside rather than making the oh-so-long journey outside to smoke with the common-folk.
Personally, I am outraged at this decision. Aside from condoning what I consider to be no less than blackmail, this decision is also completely unfair to any other worker who would be certainly be denied and laughed at for making such a request (or threat, in this case). It is also unfair to any worker who would have to enter the Justice's office for any reason. There is plenty of evidence showing how dangerous second-hand smoke is to non-smokers (and even smokers, for that matter), and it is ridiculous that because Mary Southin refuses to abide by the rules, others will be subjected to her cigarette smoke (and resulting death-breath).
To make matters worse, Mary Southin is 71 years old. In four years, she will be required to retire. What that means is that this fancy, $19,000 ventilation system will only be [ab]used for four years. If one person is allowed to do this, how long will be before people will be smoking in every office again?
