For
Immediate Release
June 18, 2004
Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling voted against the McGuinty
Government’s budget bill last night at Queen’s Park, saying the Liberals
misguided tax and spend approach means Eastern Ontario residents are going to
have to pay more for less services.
“I have heard from hundreds of constituents, most of whom
are middle and low-income families, who are outraged by the broken promises
contained in this budget,” Sterling said. “Many don’t know how they will
afford the added costs they now face. I have made a commitment to every one of
them to do what I can to fight on their behalf.”
Sterling is questioning why Eastern Ontario Cabinet
Ministers, like Leona Dombrowsky and Jim Watson, have refused to stand up for
the interests of Eastern Ontario and demand that the government hold a
referendum on the tax increase, something they promised to do last fall.
“Locally and province-wide there has been especially strong
opposition to the Premier’s decision to de-list basic medical services, such
as chiropractic, eye and physiotherapy care,” Sterling said. “I share the
public’s frustration and anger that Liberal MPPs from Eastern Ontario have
placed defending the Premier’s broken promises above the region’s
well-being.”
Since the now notorious budget was delivered last month, Mr.
McGuinty’s approval rating has hit rock bottom at a meager 9 percent. In the
face of such substantial opposition, Sterling says the Premier cut off debate
and used his majority in the Legislature late Thursday night to pass his budget
with virtually no consultation. Liberal MPPs unanimously fell into line and
supported the bill, which passed.
Sterling said his constituents are livid over the health tax
the McGuinty government introduced in the budget. The MPP says opposition to the
tax has only increased since it became public that the government planned to use
some of the revenue to pay for non-health care related projects.
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For more information, please call:
MPP Norm Sterling at (613) 253-1171