October 28, 2020
The Honourable Doug Ford, MPP
Constituency Office
823 Albion Road
Etobicoke, ON M9V 1A3
Dear Premier Ford,
Will you please share an important message about COVID-19 and cloth face masks on my Football in Humber Valley Village community blog and its important message with constituents in your Etobicoke riding? I also have some suggestions for you about how Ontario can help this province's three Canadian Football League (CFL) football teams without using taxpayers' dollars.
I live in Humber Valley Village, Etobicoke and I have a blog that encourages residents to wear a cloth face mask to help protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19: I have also shared my Football in Humber Valley Village blog with Kinga Surma, MPP. I make no revenue from this blog.
As I am a football fan, my blog encourages Etobicoke residents to buy and wear Toronto Argonaut cloth face masks (or face masks from another Canadian Football League (CFL) team) to protect themselves from COVID-19 and show support for their team and the CFL. I also have a link to the CFL's "Join the Grey Cup Fan Base" campaign asking CFL fans to pay a fee, get their name engraved on the Grey Cup, and financially support the CFL.
As Premier of Ontario, I would also appreciate you taking the time to consider the following ways that you can help the Argos and other Ontario CFL teams financially without using taxpayers' dollars:
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allow the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) and cannabis companies located in Ontario to advertise and invest in Ontario's three CFL teams: the RedBlacks, Argos and Tiger-Cats
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permit the OCS store and cannabis companies located in Ontario to advertise and promote their medical cannabis and Cannabis 2.0 products at CFL games in Ontario stadiums and on TV/radio broadcasts
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consider a wholesale or retail sales tax on the sale of NFL footballs, jerseys and hats in Ontario and use the revenue to support football in Ontario
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pursue a talent tax on Ontario football players who are recruited by U.S. or international pro, amateur or college football leagues and use this revenue to fund the CFL and its players
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explore the possibility of developing lands surrounding BMO Field in Toronto to include public football fields and soccer fields on which residents can play for free
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I would also consider encouraging Premier Horgan of BC to offer a "managed, socially distanced, public gathering of one-third full of face-mask wearing fans" B.C. Place Stadium (recently used as polling stations in the BC election) as host for a shortened CFL season from January-April in 2021: if, of course, there is no dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases in the two weeks following the recent BC election
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given recent provincial elections in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, I believe there to be other premiers in Canada who might support this idea of a well-managed, public event that could generate significant merchandising and other revenues for Ontario's CFL teams, the BC Lions and the City of Vancouver
I am not lobbying you on behalf of the CFL, its players, the league, nor its owners. Nor, am I making this request on behalf of any media outlet or cannabis company, nor am I lobbying you on behalf of any political party or special interest group.
My requests are being made as a single resident of Humber Valley Village, in Etobicoke, a Toronto Argonaut football fan (and season ticketholder), as well as a supporter of the CFL and its game in Ontario and Canada.
Thank you very much for taking the time to consider my blog, its CFL cloth face masks message, the Grey Cup Fan Base campaign, and my suggestions for helping the CFL in Ontario.
Sincerely,
Tom Wolfer