Ontario PCs call for tax relief

Parry Sound – Muskoka MPP Norm Miller
News Release

************************

North Bay – With the launch of province-wide pre-budget consultations this week, Ontario PC MPPs called on Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal Government to put the brakes on their reckless spending habits and provide tax relief to hard working Ontario families and businesses in his 2010 budget.

Ontario PC MPPs Norm Miller, Toby Barrett and Peter Shurman were in North Bay today and heard from groups such as Easthome Home for the Aged and Leisureworld, who shared their concerns at the pre-budget consultations.

The PC Caucus outlined three priorities they would like to see addressed in the budget to slow the rise of Dalton’s debt and address the jobs crisis:

Tax relief targeted at job creation and helping Ontario families and seniors who stand to get hit the hardest by the HST;

Capping spending this year to the levels targeted in the most recent budget;

And reduction of red tape through the re-instatement of the Red Tape Commission.

Dalton McGuinty is currently spending $2.8 million dollars more every single hour than his government is receiving in revenue. If this undisciplined and reckless management of Ontario’s finances is allowed to continue, Dalton McGuinty will soon double the provincial debt

QUOTES:

“We see a future of aging and more frail Ontarians requiring a re-ordering of health system priorities with respect to long-term care.”
Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand – Norfolk, Caucus Chair

"Last week we heard about billions of dollars in subsidies going to foreign conglomerates. Today in North Bay we heard from the Children’s Aid Society who said only 1 in 6 children receive the mental health care they need. There’s something wrong with this picture."
Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound – Muskoka and PC Finance Critic

"The strongest message here is that the McGuinty Government hasn't prioritized nor taken seriously the impact of the HST on some sectors...long term care faces growing demand and facilities will be heavily hit with no corresponding credit because there is little material acquisition."

Peter Shurman, MPP for Thornhill, PC Economic Development and Trade Critic

QUICK FACTS:

Job numbers show that North Bay’s unemployment rate is 11.2 per cent.

The McGuinty Government is currently spending $2.8 million more per hour than they are receiving in revenue.

Since Dalton McGuinty came to office, Ontario’s debt has grown by a staggering $65 billion. To date, on a per household basis, Dalton McGuinty has increased Ontario’s debt by $13,500 for every family in Ontario.

Since coming to office, Dalton McGuinty has increased government spending by 65%. Over that same time period, Ontario’s economy has only grown by 5.7%.

************************