KENORA – READERS NOW – Today in Toronto an Ontario Liberal Budget that fails to invest in the future of Northern Ontario was passed with the support of the NDP in the legislature. The 2012 budget continues the long Liberal pattern of reckless spending and broken promises to Northerners.
Sarah Campbell promised to stand up for the North this past fall. After her Northern Update, and her publicized petition, that was not what she did today in the legislature. Sitting in her seat, allowing the Liberal Budget to pass is not representing our needs.
Tim Hudak and the Northern Ontario Progressive Conservative team understand the need to reign in Ontario’s reckless spending binge that has resulted in a historically high deficit which is on the path to get even higher. However, cuts without a plan to build the supports necessary to revive the Northern economy won’t solve the fundamental problem.
A Tim Hudak government will look to the future with a pro-growth strategy that involves the North.
Local MPP Sarah Campbell’s support of this budget breaks the very commitments she made to Northerners this fall. The budget cuts spending for Northern highways by $208 million, taxes home heating bills and closes MNR and tourism offices.
Today’s vote signals a new era in NDP direction where their MPP’s promises and future Northern prosperity was squandered for short sighted budget deals.
Dalton McGuinty’s NDP supported No Growth Plan for Northern Ontario includes:
- A vote for the inclusion of HST on Home Heating Bills
- A vote for the potential fire sale of Ontario Northland
- A vote for the closure of Northern Tourism Centers and MNR offices
- A vote against the Repeal of the job killing Far North Act
- A vote against much needed highway improvements
- A vote for more delay on infrastructure investments into the Ring of Fire and other economic opportunities across the North
Ontario has all the basics in place to be the economic leader in Canada again…. Except real leadership on jobs and our economy. The Ontario PC caucus stood in unison with leader Tim Hudak to vote No to this No Growth for the North budget. Today, the PC caucus voted Yes to rebuild the economy and a plan that will create jobs and growth throughout the North.
Dennis Butler
President
Progressive Conservative Association Kenora Rainy River Riding