Wednesday 31 March 2010

2010 ONTARIO BUDGET

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It's always a privilege to be able to enter the debate on the budget, regardless of the year, because it is probably the most important thing we debate as members of this chamber.

Obviously, as members of Tim Hudak's PC caucus, we won't be supporting this budget, because we've got serious concerns with how they're managing the affairs of the province. One only has to look at today's sunshine list to see that they have tripled the people making over $100,000 in the public sector in the province since they've taken office. During that period of time, they've also doubled the debt of this province, and they have tripled our reliance on welfare cheques from the federal government through equalization.

Who would have thought, six years ago when this government took office, that Ontario would be a have-not province? Unfortunately, Mr. McGuinty has found a way to do that. It's because he is spending more money than he is taking in. It's because spending in this province has gone up dramatically. Program spending alone has gone up by 70% since they have taken office.

It might be a matter that they're proud of over there, but I can assure you that each and every day I speak to residents in the Nepean-Carleton-moms and dads like my husband, Joe, and I-who are struggling to make ends meet. They can't afford Mr. McGuinty anymore, and they certainly can't afford more tax hikes, hidden fees and surprises from this government like they found at eHealth and now with the local health integration networks.

Again, I do feel it is a privilege to speak to the Ontario budget; however, it has severely disappointed us in the official opposition and it has let the people of Nepean-Carleton down.