MPP Arnott on McGuinty’s tax promises: “Who on earth would believe him?”

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington – Halton Hills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2010

MPP Arnott on McGuinty’s tax promises: “Who on earth would
believe him?” (Queen’s Park) – Premier Dalton McGuinty has repeatedly broken his solemn, written pledge not to raise taxes, charged Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott in the Legislature today.

“The next time this Premier offers his solemn pledge to the people of Ontario on taxes, who on earth will believe him?” he demanded.

Mr. Arnott’s three-part Leader’s Question put the government on the spot.

Prior to the 2003 provincial election, Mr. McGuinty signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge—
promising in writing not to raise taxes without the explicit consent of Ontario voters. Since that time, Mr. Arnott noted, the Premier has created the health tax, what amounts to a backdoor energy tax, taxes on electronics, plastic bags, and now his HST.

The Premier has made promise-breaking a routine and predictable habit, said Mr. Arnott.

“The Premier’s track record fuels a cynicism that has led the Canadian Taxpayer Federation to say in its report: ‘The only thing that should surprise Ontarians [about Premier McGuinty] is if he doesn’t surprise them with new taxes after every election.’”

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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org