For Immediate Release
March 22, 2007

DALTON MCGUINTY SPENDING MORE BUT NO IMPROVEMENTS IN OXFORD: HARDEMAN

QUEEN’S PARK – Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford, said Dalton McGuinty has collected over $4,500 more per household in taxes since elected but Ontario’s families and businesses have seen meagre results in return.

“Dalton McGuinty is spending $22.4 billion more a year, but Ontarians aren’t seeing an improvement in services,” said Hardeman. “That is money that could have gone to parents, farmers or towards building the Woodstock hospital.”

“When you ask parents in overcrowded schools, people without a doctor or farmers who can’t afford to put a crop in the ground, they tell you things aren’t getting better,” added Hardeman.

Hardeman pointed to areas where Dalton McGuinty’s spending spree has not achieved the results Ontarians deserve – in the economy, health care, and in rural Ontario:

  • Ontario was dead last in economic growth in 2006 compared to other provinces. Despite over 120,000 manufacturing job losses over the last two years, Dalton McGuinty’s government has not introduced any sort of real plan for jobs;
  • Dalton McGuinty has virtually ignored the needs of the long-term care sector despite the clear need for a plan to invest in new and upgraded long-term care homes;
  • No new announcements for the Woodstock Hospital;
  • No plan to fix the gas tax formula to help municipalities that do not have a transit system or are seeking investment to create one; and
  • No announcements of assistance for tobacco farmers.

“Ontario needs strong leadership to make important decisions and deliver results,” said Hardeman. “Dalton McGuinty has broken his promises and failed to deliver that leadership. This government is awash in cash but it’s the taxpayers who are suffering. John Tory wants Ontario and Ontarians to be leading Canada again.”

“It’s clear that Dalton McGuinty is once again trying to fool the hardworking taxpayers of Ontario. On their behalf, I say we won’t get fooled again.”

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