“We’ll also welcome any thoughtful advice we receive from the opposition.”

 - from Liberal talking points on the Drummond report

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2012

 OUR ADVICE – MOVE UP THE BUDGET: SHURMAN

 QUEEN’S PARK – The province’s economic slump is so deep that Ontarians can’t afford to wait until the end of March for a budget, Ontario PC Finance Critic Peter Shurman said today.

 
“Dalton McGuinty claimed he had a ‘steady hand’ on our economy during the last election,” Shurman said. “He forecast that the deficit would be $1 billion lower than in the budget.”

 
Yet after the election – and while Don Drummond was providing updates on his report – the Premier continued to spend some $2.5 billion on home reno tax credits and tuition cuts.

 
“Together with auditors’ reports, the Moody’s credit alert, in-house reports, StatsCan reports, Conference Board reports and now Drummond, Dalton McGuinty has known for a long time that every day’s delay would drag us deeper into deficits and debt.

 
“We have warned for months that this was unsustainable – and look where it’s gotten our province. The Premier must quit stalling and reverse course. Set a budget day for late February and announce that date today.”

 
Shurman said the Ontario PC Caucus’ chief concern now is that McGuinty will use the Drummond report as cover for yet more ‘consultation and dialogue’ on what should be in the 2012 budget.

 
“That debate is over. Ontarians need to see a concrete plan that reduces the size and cost of government, reins in out-of-control Liberal spending and restores a degree of confidence for taxpayers, investors and the markets that this government knows what it is doing.”

 
Shurman acknowledged that the Drummond recommendations should be part of the budget but it alone is not enough: “We need to get moving on the rest of the puzzle pieces – a legislated public sector wage freeze, an end to corporate welfare and enacting policies that kick-start private sector job creation.

 
“No more dithering. No more talking points. Show us the plan.”

 
For further information, contact Christine Bujold (416) 325-1330 Christine.Bujold@pc.ola.org