PCs say Smith is playing a the game of hot potato

Ontario Progressive Conservative
News Release

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Progressive Conservative Revenue Critic Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge) today asked Liberal Revenue Minister Monique Smith how much government revenues are down from budget projections, in light of thousands of job losses and slower than projected economic growth.

“Minister, given the almost daily announcements of plant closures, job losses, rising gas and food prices, we understand that the government’s projected revenues are already down by $1 billion for this fiscal year,” said Martiniuk. “Can you confirm how much current government revenues are down from your projections?”

Instead of answering the question, which dealt directly with her Cabinet portfolio, Smith passed the question to Minister of Finance, Dwight Duncan. Continuing the game of hot potato, Duncan didn’t answer and somehow passed the potato right along to the federal government.

“It’s surprising that the minister doesn’t have the answer to this very simple question,” Martiniuk pointed out. “In order to balance the budget, the government has said it would find $1 billion in savings. We understand that the revenues are already down by $1 billion.”

Added Martiniuk: “The Premier has said he won’t raise taxes but he won’t cut services either. That means only one thing: a deficit, stealing from our children.”

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