For Immediate Release
November 1, 2006

MCGUINTY GIVING TAX DOLLARS TO HIS FRIENDS

QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman M.P.P. for Oxford and Progressive Conservative critic for Municipal Affairs held the McGuinty government to account for wasting taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

“The McGuinty government has gotten so used to wasting government money that they have forgotten where it comes from,” said Hardeman. “It comes from hard working taxpayers. Like the farmers in my riding. Like the people who work hard at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll or at DDM plastics in Tillsonburg.”

Hardeman’s statement was part of Opposition Day in the Ontario Legislature focused on government waste. John Tory’s motion, which will be debated during Opposition Day, cited the following examples:

• $6 million to remove the “C” from OLGC (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation);
• $219,000 to redesign the Ontario Trillium logo;
• $20 million to quietly give raises to appointees to government agencies and boards;
• $2 million for an inaccurate, partisan advertisement about health care;
• $91 million to fire nurses;
• $90 million to close or consolidate community care access centres;
• $16 million for Dalton McGuinty’s “I won’t raise your taxes” Liberal ad agency, Bensimon Byrne;
• $2 million for LHIN office furniture and design; and
• $55 million (at least) on Caledonia.

Hardeman pointed out that the Liberal government is showing a lack of respect for taxpayers’ dollars at all levels. While being questioned by Hardeman, during Estimates Committee on October 10, 2006, John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs admitted that he did not know the average property tax increase in Ontario and that his Ministry does not even track property taxes.

“The McGuinty government has shown its lack of concern for taxpayers by continually breaking their promises,” said Hardeman. “Now it is showing its lack of respect for their hard-earned tax dollars by giving them to their friends.”
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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239