BIGGEST CONCERN OF ONTARIANS: IT’S THE ECONOMY
(Queen’s Park) – On the first day of Question Period since the election, Leader of the Opposition Bob Runciman and the PC Caucus today urged Dalton McGuinty to change his “don’t worry, be happy” approach to the economy.
“Ontarians have repeatedly stated that one of their biggest concerns is the state of our economy,” said Runciman. “Since January 2005 we have lost 153,500 manufacturing jobs. We need real action not empty words.”
During Question Period, Runciman pointed to declining economic growth predictions as a sign of storm clouds on the horizon. In the Budget last March, the government indicated that the economy would grow by 2.8 percent next year. Just days after the election the Royal Bank said the economy would grow by just 1.8 percent – a full point lower – which according to Ministry of Finance estimates would cost the Ontario government $670 million in lost revenues.
Dalton McGuinty tried to defend his inaction by pointing to employment growth since the Liberals took office. He didn't say however, that almost half of all job growth in the past four years took place in the public sector, which grew by a startling 15.2 per cent compared to only 3.7 per cent in the private sector.
“The Premier probably ought to be paying royalties to Bobby McFerrin – having sung “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with such frequency,” said Runciman. “We need a sign that he Premier understands the seriousness of this crisis. We need incentives for job growth in the private sector. That means lower taxes and less red tape.”
