News Release: Government’s Economic Plan is Leaving Ontarians Behind

(Queen’s Park) –MPP Sylvia Jones, PC critic for the Ministry of Infrastructure reacted to the Liberal’s Fall Economic Statement.

“The government’s fall economic statement continues the Liberal’s track record of reckless spending and making life more expensive for families and businesses,” said Jones.

“The independent non-partisan officer of the Legislature, the Financial Accountability Officer’s recent report on the government’s finances said that the government’s current budget is not realistic. This is in addition to the independent Auditor General saying that the government is understating its deficit and debt because the government’s statements “were not prepared following Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards.” The FAO said that meeting the debt targets will actually require a raise in taxes or cut in program spending by at least $6.5 billion,” said Jones.

“Instead of addressing its structural deficit, the government is putting a larger burden on future generations and crowding out the ability of future government to pay for things residents of Dufferin-Caledon need, like an Advanced Green in Shelburne, expanded GO service to Bolton and Orangeville and needed funding for Headwaters Hospital,” said Jones.

“The government’s statement is also full of re-announcements. Take for instance the government’s claim that they are investing $100 million for natural gas expansion, but the reality is that this represents a $130 million cut from their original commitment of $230 million, not to mention that this cut was originally announced nearly a year ago in January,” said Jones.

“The government needs to address their structural deficit, not hit the “repeat button” on old announcements,” said Jones.