Ontario Throne Speech Offers More Promises to be Broken

 NEWS

March 8, 2010

QUEEN’S PARK – Durham MPP John O’Toole said today that the McGuinty government has emphasized empty promises over accountability in today’s Throne Speech.

 “This government is acting as if the multi-million dollar eHealth scandal and its $3 billion HST tax grab never even happened,” the Durham MPP said today. “There was no recognition of the need for greater transparency, efficiency and accountability. However, there are dozens of new promises waiting to be broken.”

“This is a premier who never met a promise he couldn’t break,” said John O’Toole. “He promised he wouldn’t raise taxes. Yet, under his watch, Premier McGuinty introduced two of the largest taxes in Ontario’s history – the health tax and the Harmonized sales tax. How can we believe this newest round of promises? Since coming to office, the McGuinty government has increased spending by approximately 65%. Ontario has a massive deficit, with no plan to reduce the debt.

“The premier has served up the usual platitudes about the value of education, healthcare, businesses and volunteers,” Mr. O’Toole added. “But, outside of the vague promises, there’s little substance here and little explanation of where the money will come from to pay for the promises.”   

“I am confident members of the Official Opposition will keep working for accountability in the McGuinty government, even if it is missing from the Throne Speech.”

QUOTE:

• “This government is acting as if the multi-million dollar eHealth scandal never even happened,” the Durham MPP said today. “The Throne Speech gives little recognition to the need for greater transparency, efficiency and accountability in the McGuinty government. However, there are dozens of new promises waiting to be broken.”

 QUICK FACTS:

• Within 12 years, healthcare costs could rise to 70 cents out of every dollar spent on government programs. (Up from the current 46 cents out of every dollar being spent today.)
• Throne Speech calls for an increase in spaces at Ontario colleges and Universities by 20,000 students this year, with Ontario promoting provincial postsecondary education to students outside Canada.

• Sale of public assets will depend on a review of Ontario’s business enterprises.
• $32 billion in roads, bridges, public transit and energy retrofits for schools.
• Proposed new initiatives in clean water technology.

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CONTACT:

For further information please contact:

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham (905) 697-1501 / 1-800-661-2433