For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2010
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is echoing concerns that Dalton McGuinty’s reckless spending, runaway deficits and record tax increases remain the largest obstacles to Ontario recovering from recession. Barrett joined Opposition Leader Tim Hudak and Opposition Finance Critic Norm Miller to report on conclusions that emerged from their province-wide pre-budget consultations.
Over the past week, Barrett joined fellow MPPs Peter Shurman and Norm Miller in travelling to Niagara Falls, London, North Bay, Kingston and Toronto for pre-budget consultations through the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Over the same span Hudak has with met small business leaders in Ottawa, Cornwall, Lindsay, Peterborough, Guelph, Kincardine and Brampton.
Based on the feedback received from these and other consultations, the Opposition is demanding that Dalton McGuinty put the brakes on his seven year reign of higher taxes and out-of-control spending and instead commit to tax relief targeted to job creation, a cap on government spending and reduction on job-killing red tape in the 2010 budget.
“Tough economic times do not prevent government from cutting the plethora of bureaucratic rules, regulations, red tape and paperwork to help get small and medium sized businesses doing what they do best- creating jobs.” Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand – Norfolk, Caucus Chair
“Dalton McGuinty’s high taxes, reckless deficits and runaway spending are crippling Ontario’s economic recovery. Ontario deserves a new approach that respects how hard Ontario families work and how much they already pay.” — Ontario PC Leader, Tim Hudak
“Every hour the McGuinty Liberals spend $2.8 million more than they take in. If this undisciplined and reckless management of Ontario’s finances is allowed to continue, Dalton McGuinty will soon double the provincial debt.” — Ontario PC Finance Critic, Norm Miller
Opposition Caucus would like to see addressed in the budget to slow the rise of Dalton’s debt and address the jobs crisis:
Tax relief targeted at job creation and helping Ontario families and seniors who stand to get hit the hardest by the HST;
Capping spending this year to the levels targeted in the most recent budget;
And reduction of red tape through the re-instatement of the Red Tape Commission.
The McGuinty Government is currently spending $2.8 million more per hour than they are receiving in revenue.
Since Dalton McGuinty came to office, Ontario’s debt has grown by a staggering $65 billion. To date, on a per household basis, Dalton McGuinty has increased Ontario’s debt by $13,500 for every family in Ontario.
Since coming to office, Dalton McGuinty has increased government spending by 65%. Over that same time period, Ontario’s economy has only grown by 5.7%.
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629