Wynne’s plan shows she just doesn’t get it: MPP Arnott

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2012

Wynne’s plan shows she just doesn’t get it: MPP Arnott
(Wellington-Halton Hills) – One of the frontrunners for the provincial Liberal leadership has shown that
she does not grasp the full extent of the fiscal mess the Liberals have created, says PC
Intergovernmental Affairs Critic Ted Arnott.

Earlier this week, Kathleen Wynne unveiled her plan to pressure the Government of Canada to give
Ontario its “fair share” of federal transfer payments.

“Ms. Wynne talks about uniting the provinces in a campaign to give Ontario its fair share of federal
transfers,” said Mr. Arnott. “However, when you boil it down, her ‘solution’ to Ontario’s fiscal mess
seems to be to go begging to the Federal Government for more money.”

Mr. Arnott maintained that Ontario’s problem is not a lack of support from Ottawa.

“The Liberals need to take a good hard look in the mirror,” Mr. Arnott said. “When this Government first
came to office, Ontario was the economic engine of confederation. Ms. Wynne was part of a cabinet that
has never been able to control its spending. Now Ontario is a have-not province, and we rely on
equalization payments from the federal Government.”

According to the 2012 Ontario budget, Ontario will receive $21.8 billion in transfers from the Federal
Government for the 2012-13 fiscal year. This includes $3.3 billion in equalization payments, up over $1
1
billion from last year.

While Mr. Arnott acknowledged that from time to time, the fiscal arrangements of confederation need to
be reviewed, he argued that Ontario’s number one priority should be on getting its own fiscal house in
order.

“The Premier of Ontario certainly has a responsibility to ensure that Ontario is treated fairly and
equitably,” argued Mr. Arnott. “However, if Ms. Wynne’s plan to balance the budget is to sit back and
wait for the federal Government to give Ontario more money so that she can keep on spending, she is
not the one to lead us out of this mess. Our problems will not be solved by begging for more federal
handouts.”

“It’s time for a change of direction in Ontario,” Mr. Arnott continued. “Ontario needs a new Government
that will set priorities, eliminate wasteful spending, and support job creation.”

– 30 –

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

1
2012 Ontario Budget: Chapter II: Ontario’s Economic Outlook and Fiscal Plan Section G: Details of Ontario’s Finances
https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2012/ch2g.html#c2_secG_table27