For Immediate Release:
March 29, 2011
Queen’s Park – Although today’s Provincial Budget failed to mention any new taxes, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett warned Ontario families shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief quite yet.
“Promises of new spending always bring new tax grabs when it comes to the McGuinty government,” Barrett said. “After eight years of squandering money, I think Ontario families know better than to expect the Premier is capable of getting his tax and spend habit under control.”
The McGuinty government has increased government spending by 70 per cent since coming to office. Despite promises not to raise taxes prior to the 2003 and 2007 elections, he brought in the largest income tax grab, followed by the largest sales tax hike, the HST. And just a few days ago, Ontarians learned that McGuinty’s attempt at an eco tax last summer, has saddled taxpayers with $18 million in advertising and legal fees.
Despite the Premier’s out-of-control spending habit, Barrett said it’s ironic neither Mr. McGuinty nor any of his cabinet ministers have ever stepped foot in Haldimand-Norfolk to provide any financial relief.
“What about the people of Caledonia and Haldimand who have been held hostage by a land dispute for five years? This government has also deep-sixed Ontario’s tobacco economy by condoning illegal tobacco, virtually bankrupting farmers, factories and corner stores – where’s the compensation from Premier McGuinty?
Barrett continued to charge that commercial fishermen, cattlemen, hog farmers, cash crop, fruit and vegetable growers have all been an afterthought at best to the urban-centric McGuinty gang at Queen’s Park who feel it’s okay to assure families all food can come in cans and jars from China and India.
“Families in Haldimand-Norfolk have been paying the ultimate price for McGuinty’s runaway spending and have received nothing in return but new and higher taxes,” Barrett explained. “The first time McGuinty swore to Ontario families he wouldn’t raise taxes and then he did — shame on him. The second time McGuinty said he wouldn’t raise taxes and then he did, shame on me. But if we believe the Premier today or in the weeks ahead when he says for a third time that he won’t raise taxes, then shame on all of us. Dalton McGuinty won’t change, so it’s time for a change because the people of our great riding deserve better.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629