LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

March 27, 2007

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS
government’s record
Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): Today I rise to ask who is running the province of Ontario.

Over and over we have seen Dalton McGuinty asleep on the job, denying problems exist until the Ombudsman catches him with his hand in the cookie jar. Then he is suddenly shocked that a problem exists and promises he will implement all the recommendations.

Despite the calls from homeowners, Dalton McGuinty did nothing about property tax assessment until the Ombudsman released this report.

Despite complaints from victims, Dalton McGuinty did nothing about the Criminals Injuries Compensation Board until the Ombudsman released his report.

Despite questions in this House, the Fifth Estate and articles in every paper in Ontario, Dalton McGuinty denied there was a problem at the OLG. The Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal promised that everything was fine.

The people of Ontario went on spending their hard-earned money on lottery tickets, believing that everything was fair.

Once again, the Ombudsman seems to care more about the people of Ontario than this government does. He investigated. He found the problem. He came up with recommendations. And suddenly, now that he got caught, the minister recognizes that there is a problem at the OLG. He is trying to blame it on everyone else, but the truth is he is the minister, he is the one responsible, he is the one who got caught covering up the problem. He is the one who should take the blame, and this time an apology isn’t enough.