Consultants Charging Over $1 Million Per Day

Consultants hired at various Ontario Ministries billed taxpayers for almost $390 million in 2007/2008. That’s more than $1 million per day. It should be kept in mind that these additional consulting assignments are within provincial ministries that are under the direct authority of the government – not government-related boards, commissions and agencies such as eHealth.

Opposition MPPs, and indeed all taxpayers, cannot help but wonder whether there are more fiascos similar to eHealth buried within the $390 million consulting fees for government ministries.  Ministries paying the most for outside help include: Government and Consumer Services ($103.9 million); Health and Long-Term Care ($89.5 million) and Finance ($35.9 million.) Given the culture of outside hiring that exists in Ontario, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the McGuinty government to ignore calls for an independent inquiry to review how much consultants are costing the citizens of Ontario and whether they provide value for the amounts invested.

With Ontario facing a deficit of $24.7 billion, it makes more sense to cut back on consulting fees than on health, education, and long-tern care. Although the provincial government passed its new accountability legislation last week, the new rules only apply to spending that took place after eHealth. There’s still no commitment to examine what went wrong in the past,  In fact, the new legislation is a classic case of closing the stable door after the horses have escaped.

Update on H1N1 Flu Shots

H1N1 immunization clinics were scheduled to begin the week of October 26. Since the vaccine will arrive in shipments over time, immunizations will start with people who will benefit most from the vaccine. These include :

• People 65 and under with chronic conditions
• Healthy children 6 months to under five years of age;
• People living in remote or isolated communities;
• Health care workers; and
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines

If you’re age 65 or older, you’re advised to get your usual shot for seasonal flu. Contact your family doctor, community health centre or nearest walk-in clinic for more details.

Locations of local clinics for H1N1 inoculations have been announced. Please monitor the media and also the provincial/regional public health web sites for further updates. The provincial Ministry of Health may be reached at www.health.gov.on.ca .

Ontario Deficit Approaching $25 Billion

There wasn’t much good news in the latest quarterly financial report from Ontario’s Finance Minister. He’s predicting a deficit of $24.7 billion for the current fiscal year. That’s up from the $14.1 billion deficit forecast in the March budget and the revised forecast in June of $18.5 billion. Over the past three months, the estimated deficit has risen by more than $6 billion. Ontario is facing added costs, such as $650 million to fight the H1N1 flu. Ontario’s gross domestic product (GDP) and government revenues have slipped backwards to the size they were in 2005. The Finance Minister predicts it will be at least 2011 before the province’s economy gets back to where it was last year. Nobody would disagree that the worldwide recession has contributed to Ontario’s financial woes. But, our province is also the classic example of free-spending in the good times, without setting aside enough funds for a rainy day. Opposition Leader Tim Hudak observed that by frittering away $28 billion in additional revenue, this government left the cupboard bare when times got tough.

Action Needed Now on Rising Auto Insurance

According to reports in the Toronto Star and other media, drivers in the Greater Toronto Area are facing a 14% increase in auto insurance rates. In the Ontario Legislature last week, Premier McGuinty told opposition MPPs that Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has a plan to counter the higher rates. But, he’s not announcing it yet. It would appear that distractions such as eHealth and the government’s attempt to sell the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) are diverting this government’s attention from many of the priorities that matter most to Ontarians. Drivers in Durham Riding are telling me they can’t afford a 14 per cent increase in car insurance. This government has to bring on its new proposal to address the rate increases before the Ontario economy suffers any more damage. It seems that citizens in Durham and across Ontario are paying more for everything. Tuition fees, gas at the pumps, home heating, electricity, water bills and property taxes are all examples of areas where costs are rising.  All levels of government need to hold the line in these difficult times.

Distracted Driving Law Begins Oct. 26

By the time you read this column, Ontario’s new law against distracted driving will be in force. Effective October 26, it’s illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices. For the first three months, the focus will be on educating Ontario drivers about the new rules. Following the education period, police will begin issuing tickets on February 1, 2010. The use of hands-free devices will still be permitted.

Foodland Ontario Announces Retailer Awards

Congratulations to Vos’ Your Independent Grocer in Port Perry on winning a Foodland Ontario Gold Award for retailing fresh Ontario food. Their award was in the category of creative marketing for fresh fruits, vegetables and other Ontario products. The efforts of 59 grocery retailers were recognized this year with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards. These awards are co-sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in partnership with provincial agriculture organizations.