FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2012
QUEEN’S PARK — People getting paid by the taxpayers shouldn’t get a better deal than the taxpayers themselves.
That according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett following introduction of his private members bill last week, Bill 94 – Addressing Ontario’s Debt Through Alternatives to Public Sector Layoffs and Program Cuts Act, 2012.
“While private sector job growth has stagnated across Ontario, the public sector has grown by close to 245,000 jobs, with wages that outpace private sector salaries,” stated Barrett. “The discrepancy becomes even more worrisome when we consider that Ontario public sector workers earn 27 per cent more than their counterparts in the private sector according to the CFIB.”
Barrett’s Private Members Bill aims to limit any increases to public sector workers’ total compensation package to the rate of Ontario’s real GDP economic growth per capita.
The preamble to the Private Member’s Bill notes, “Since 2003, the annual deficit of the Province of Ontario has increased alarmingly and is projected to be $30.2 billion by 2017-2018. Accumulated debt of the Province is projected to be $411.4 billion by 2017-2018…It is vital that the Province get its finances in order, otherwise there will be no alternative but to cut government programs significantly which will inevitably lead to layoffs in the public sector and a lower level of Government service to the people of Ontario.”
“While private sector unemployment has reached half a million people, public sector salaries have increased 46 per cent,” Barrett noted. “As well, over the last 10 years the number of government workers in health and social services have gone up by 39 per cent, and in education – up by 34 per cent.”
Addressing Ontario’s Debt Through Alternatives to Public Sector Layoffs and Program Cuts Act, 2012, now moves to second reading debate slated for June 7th.
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629