For immediate release
March 27, 2007

Dalton McGuinty won’t Take Action to Protect Ontarians Until he gets Caught

QUEEN’S PARK –Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford, today in the Ontario Legislature condemned Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan, the Minister responsible for the OLGC, for their inaction on the problems with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask who is running the province of Ontario,” said Hardeman during a statement in the Ontario Legislature. “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.”

Hardeman pointed out that the Dalton McGuinty government seems to deny problems exist and refuses to take action until caught by the Ombudsman. Examples include:

  • The Property Tax assessment system where an unknown formula was resulting in soaring and unequal property tax increases forcing people out of their homes;
  • The Children’s Aid Society where money was spent on trips, SUVs and expensive restaurants instead of on the children; and
  • The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board where victims of crime were being tied up in red tape in an effort to reduce the number of claims paid out.

“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,” said Hardeman. “And suddenly – now that he got caught – Minister Caplan recognizes that there is a problem at OLG.”

 

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