For
Immediate Release
May 19, 2004
Queen’s
Park Report
Liberal
Budget Picks Local Pockets
When the McGuinty
government delivered its first budget on May 18, it reminded me of the early
1990s when Bob Rae’s NDP government slipped into a tax and spend approach to
government that devastated Ontario.
As
I sat in the legislature listening to the Finance Minister trying to explain
away why his government was breaking more promises, I thought about the average
working family living in the Valley. I thought about how hard it is getting for
these folks to keep their heads above water financially. Faced with skyrocketing
gas prices, rising hydro rates and soaring insurance premiums, the last thing
they needed was a provincial government bent on raising taxes.
Unfortunately,
that’s what they got. This budget is all about higher taxes and reduced health
care services for you and me.
A
new health tax introduced in the McGuinty budget means a family with two
children and a combined income of $60,000 will pay $600 a year. Overall, this
same family will receive a 26 percent hike in provincial taxes under this
budget. You might ask what you will get for paying this new health tax. Well,
the Premier has decided this extra tax will mean you actually receive less
health care. That’s because while the government collects more money from you,
it is also de-listing basic health services many residents rely upon. It means,
for most Ontarians, OHIP will no longer cover the cost of optometry exams,
chiropractic services and physiotherapy services.
Many
of you will recall how just eight months ago Dalton McGuinty pledged to balance
the budget, hold the line of taxes and expand health care. In government, he has
broken all three promises. He is presiding over the largest tax hike in more
than a decade, planning on multi-year deficits, and reducing the health care
service funded under OHIP.
In
my discussions with constituents about this betrayal of the public trust, I have
committed to fighting this budget at Queen’s Park. I know that the average
family in our area simply cannot afford to pay anymore.
In
total, new fees, charges and taxes delivered in this budget will draw $9.7
billion into government coffers. For example, electricity consumers, who have
already seen their bills rise after the Liberal government broke a promise to
cap rates, will be forced to swallow an additional $3.9 billion in hydro costs.
As well, motorists can expect to pay 50 percent more when they renew their
driver’s licence.
The
return to deficit financing is an issue that needs to be fully understood
because it can mean further costs down the road – especially for our children
and grandchildren. While raising taxes, the Liberal government is still running
a $6.1 billion operating deficit and adding $12 billion in provincial debt
during their mandate.
The
government is refusing to be held accountable for their own financial
mismanagement. They have talked a lot about the province’s deficit but taken
no action toward its elimination. Instead, the McGuinty government has
recklessly introduced billions of dollars in new spending since taking office.
This
will mean more money will have to be earmarked to cover interest costs on the
growing debt. That results in less money being available for priority services
like health and education.
This
budget is devastating locally and provincially. My colleagues and I will not
stand by and watch this government tear down the economic foundation and one
million new jobs we helped create over the past eight years.
Employers
and families in Lanark-Carleton and across the province have worked too hard to
have the Liberal government’s reckless tax and spend agenda erode confidence
and prosperity in our province. We will continue to oppose higher taxes and
fight to protect the vital services that Ontarians value most.
On
your behalf, I will fight this budget every step of the way.
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