THUNDER BAY – “Its our generation’s turn”, stated Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The Premier was speaking before the Economic Club of Canada on Tuesday. In a major speech to the Economic Club of Canada, the Premier said “In a period of slower growth in the global economy, it is more important than ever for Ontarians to work together to strengthen Ontario’s economy”.
The Premier also noted that even in the midst of a global economic storm, “Ontario is a safer haven than most thanks to our highly skilled and educated workforce, our strong health care system and investments in infrastructure that have kept our economy moving”.
“Ontario families are looking to their leaders to work together, for them,” continued the Premier. “It’s going to take all of us working together to move forward in a time of significant change, upheaval and uncertainty around the world. As we face fiscal challenges in Ontario, we will look for solutions that will help us achieve our long-term goals to balance our budget and deliver the programs and services Ontarians need”.
The speech came on the heels of a report that states Ontario is lagging when it comes to innovation and productivity.
The Ontario Progressive Conservatives are demanding that the Premier “take responsibility” for the problems. The PCs state, “The Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress – chaired by business leader Roger Martin – released a scathing annual report detailing Ontario’s poor economic performance under Dalton McGuinty. The report shows Ontario’s productivity and standard of living continue to lag behind our competitors – and the gap is getting worse. The report also criticizes Dalton McGuinty’s economic policies, calling on him to end the failed practice of picking winners and losers in the marketplace”.
Monte McNaughton, Ontario PC Economic Development and Innovation Critic, charges, “Despite these clear warning signs, Dalton McGuinty refuses to accept responsibility. What’s worse, he still has not brought forward a single new idea to create jobs since the election”. McNaughton challenged Dalton McGuinty to answer the simple question: what is he doing today to create jobs?
“Dalton McGuinty needs to start taking responsibility for his economic failures. If he won’t answer the tough questions, how about a simple one – what is he doing today to create jobs? Global uncertainty didn’t raise our taxes and hydro bills,” challenged McNaughton. “Ottawa isn’t responsible for over half a million provincial regulations. These are made in Ontario problems. These are Dalton McGuinty problems. And if he won’t act to fix them, we will.”