For immediate release
April 16, 2007

Dalton McGuinty Liberals Block Lotto Inquiry

TORONTO – Today the Dalton McGuinty Liberals used their majority in the Ontario Legislature to block a motion to create a Legislative inquiry into government involvement in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation fraud.

“Dalton McGuinty continues to hide behind the Ombudsman’s investigation and the OPP investigation, but he knows neither one will look into the Premier’s office or the Minister’s office,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford during a statement in the Legislature earlier in the day. “If Dalton McGuinty really has nothing to hide then he should support this inquiry.”  

The Opposition Day motion, tabled by John Tory, would have set-up an inquiry to investigate:
“…the flow of information between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Minister and Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal and the Premier’s Office regarding the issues of fraud and other irregularities within Ontario’s provincial lottery system, including documentary and viva voce evidence, and a review of the actions taken and the actions which might more appropriately have been taken to protect the interests of the citizens of Ontario and restore their faith and confidence in the integrity of Ontario’s lottery system…”

The motion comes after the opposition asked 133 questions on the Lottery scandal during question period without receiving direct answers.

The inquiry would have been conducted by the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly which Ernie Hardeman has been a member of since 2003. The motion called for the committee to complete its work and file a report by June 30, 2007 at the latest.

 “Dalton McGuinty had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership today and again he failed,” said Hardeman. “Ontarians have the right to know who in the government knew what, when they knew it and what they did to cover it up.”

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239