LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

April 16, 2007

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): Premier McGuinty and his government have so far rejected a probe into Lottogate. They have refused to launch an investigation that would give Ontarians answers about government’s involvement in the scandal, that would give Ontarians answers about whether Premier McGuinty’s office was involved in the cover-up.

We’ve asked 133 questions so far and received no answers. Dithering, dodging and deflecting have been the only responses forthcoming for three weeks. That indicates a government scared of transparency and accountability. A government that is afraid to answer for its actions is irresponsible and arrogant.
The Premier and the minister consistently refuse to account for what they knew, when they knew it and what action they took.

A legislative committee empowered to call witnesses and fully investigate is necessary for the public to get the answers that McGuinty refuses to provide. The investigation could be completed by June if the Premier would only agree.

 Dalton McGuinty continues to hide behind the Ombudsman investigation and the OPP in-vestigation. The Premier knows neither one will look into the Premier’s office or the minister’s office.

This Premier talked about giving all MPPs a bigger role to play when he was campaigning for election. But now that he has won, he won’t even allow a legislative committee of MPPs to examine a scandal with troubling connections to his own office.

Today we will have a motion to launch an inquiry to investigate what really happened. If Dalton McGuinty really has nothing to hide, then he should support the motion and support this inquiry.