“The roots of Ontario’s current fix lie in both the economy and in the province’s record of failing to keep growth in government spending in line with revenue growth.”
- Page 81, Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services
QUEEN’S PARK (February 15, 2012) – Don Drummond’s report has exposed a Liberal spending crisis more severe than anything previously disclosed, requiring immediate action to start reversing the damage – and straight talk from political leaders, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak said today.
“The simple fact is that we would not be in this mess without years of uncontrolled McGuinty Liberal spending, which my Caucus and I have opposed every step of the way,” Hudak said.
“Yet for months now, the Liberals have shown fear that if they level with people they’ll fall in the polls. I believe that if we don’t level with people now, Ontario will fall off a cliff.”
Every day’s delay now will only worsen the situation, Hudak added, saying his responsibility is both to hold the government to account and champion the changes needed to kick-start a provincial recovery and avert Ontario’s bankruptcy.
“Dalton McGuinty needs to restore some confidence that this government has shaken off its paralysis. To start, he must declare a “quarantine zone” around the public purse. No more new, uncosted, one-off spending initiatives.”
Further, Hudak noted, Don Drummond said that every one of his recommendations must be acted on in order to balance the budget by 2017. “If the Premier takes a single one of them off the table he must specify an alternative approach.”
Hudak also called on the government to impose an immediate public sector wage freeze, put an end to corporate welfare – which, according to the report, shows little evidence “of achieving any economic benefit for Ontario” (p. 309) – and implement pro-growth policies such as apprenticeship reform.
Longer term, Hudak said, Ontario governments need to return to first principles: spend only what you have; set spending priorities on essential programs and services such as health and education; and exit all other areas of business that government has no business being in.
“It’s time to say the things Ontarians need to know – not just what they want to hear: We’re running out of money, and running out of time,” Hudak said. “And, as we fight for a smaller, smarter government, we must also grow the private sector economy.
“I commit to lead this charge on behalf of Ontario’s hard-pressed taxpayers – and especially the 600,000 Ontarians who didn’t have a job to go to this morning.”
