Jones says economic plan is leaving Ontarians behind

December 7, 2017 · 0 Comments

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones was not impressed with the recent Fall Economic Statement from the government.
“The government’s fall economic statement continues the Liberals’ track record of reckless spending and making life more expensive for families and businesses,” Jones said.
She pointed out that the recent report of the Financial Accountability Officer, an independent, non-partisan officer of the Legislature, said that the government’s current budget was unrealistic.
“This is in addition to the independent Auditor General saying that the government is understating its deficit and debt because the government’s statements ‘were not prepared following Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards’,” she added. “The FAO said that meeting the debt targets will actually require a raise in taxes or cut in program spending by at least $6.5 billion.”
“Instead of addressing its structural deficit, the government is putting a larger burden on future generations and crowding out the ability of future government to pay for things residents of Dufferin-Caledon need, like an Advanced Green in Shelburne, expanded GO service to Bolton and Orangeville and needed funding for Headwaters hospital,” Jones remarked.
She also said the statement is full of “re-announcements,” such as the claim that they are investing $100 million for natural gas expansion.
“The reality is that this represents a $130 million cut from their original commitment of $230 million, not to mention that this cut was originally announced nearly a year ago in January,” she said.
“The government needs to address their structural deficit, not hit the ‘repeat button’ on old announcements,” Jones declared.