September 22nd marks the end of
summer with the new Legislative session beginning. It still looks a lot like summer outside and I
don?t want to be the guy who tells you it?s coming to an end, but a rapidly
filling schedule of events suggests that?s the case. It?s everyone?s favourite
time of year but it just flies along, doesn?t it? Well, there?s work to do, so
let?s get on with it!
It may be just wishful thinking on my part,
but I hope that this Legislative session the government will show some concern and
take real action on the important issues now affecting Ontario and all of us in
our own lives. As we prepare to open
this new session, with your help and on behalf of my constituents in Thornhill
and all Ontarians, I will drive this agenda.
Ontarians deserve a government that works
for them, a government that recognizes the need to focus on those things which
are vital to the well-being of the province and its people. Instead, we?ve seen
the McGuinty government keep the Legislature engaged with ?busy work?. No, I
don?t argue with the Liberals that we don?t want adults smoking in cars with children,
but the vast majority of adults who smoke know that already and the vast
majority of police officers won?t enforce a law like that anyway?I am
concerned, therefore, that we?ve spent too much time last session debating pointless
legislation and no meaningful time on what?s happening to our beloved province.
Our economy is in trouble. Not because of a
general economic slowdown across the country, but because Ontario, in contrast to other Canadian
provinces, is in recession territory. And yet our government sits idly while
our young people are recruited by companies from Alberta
and BC because Ontario
now has less to offer. We?ve become the place to escape, rather than the
destination of Canadian and international talent.
At
first, Premier McGuinty spoke as if nothing was wrong; then he admitted things
weren?t as rosy this year. Now he admits to the media that we are in a shallow
downturn. His solution to date is ?we?ll get through this together?. Every time
he speaks, the story changes and the outlook is more grim. By the time he?s
ready to accept and admit reality, it may be too late. I say that we need
action now. Where is the help for those caught in Ontario?s economic downturn?
Right here in Thornhill, hardly a major
industrial area, we?ve watched as Canac Kitchens? and Progressive Moulded
Products? accounted for the disappearance of 3,000 jobs since late Spring and
there?s no count on other spin-off jobs lost . If that can happen in Thornhill,
what do you think is happening in Oshawa and Windsor and other major industrial centres of Ontario? Where is the
plan to get Ontario
back on track? Does it even exist?
McGuinty continues to excuse our economic
situation with globalization and the near parity of the U.S. dollar. Seems to
me that other Canadian provinces have the same issues, but not the same hardships.
Could it be that they have implemented strategies to address these things?
More hospitable corporate tax structures,
for example, attract investment and expansion?and that translates into jobs.
But not Ontario.
Do I stand up for Ontario?
Naturally. But McGuinty suggests that this criticism is tantamount to lack of
support for our province. The lack of support is directed at him and his
government?To me Ontario,
not the Liberal government, comes first.
On the rise in violent crime and our fears
for our families? safety, what?s being done? No help for the innocent victims
of brutality, such as Katelynn
Sampson.
On showing compassion to those affected by
the Sunrise Propane explosion, we hear that the government?s collective heart
goes out to victims. Again, a ?we will get through this together? strategy. No
sign that McGuinty or his government care for the plight of those who had their
lives disrupted by this terrible event.
I can imagine a working Ontario
and an Ontario
that works-and I know you can, too. I have the vision to see a day that makes
the future as positive an adventure as the past has been. I want to work with
my Legislature colleagues from all parties to ensure that we have a prosperous Ontario and that our
kids can look forward to enjoying the fruits of our hard work and having their
own opportunities right here.
We all expect, and have the right to
demand, a government that deals with real issues which affect our province.
Instead we get the McGuinty ?Do Nothing? government and platitudes like ?this
too shall pass?. This government is stuck in its own make-believe world,
pretending that if we all wish hard enough, click our heels together, everything
will be okay and we?ll land back in Kansas.
Well we?re not in Kansas
anymore, and Dalton McGuinty must be held accountable for the province?s
economic infrastructure?and we all have to hold him to account. We in the
Opposition make numerous recommendations and suggestions as to ways and means
he could employ to get Ontario on the road to prosperity, ?and we?ll keep right
on doing so until he listens or until we replace him, which ever comes first!
In reality, good governance begins with our
actions locally. Here in Thornhill my staff and I have been working tirelessly
to serve the people of this riding. Our phone never stops, but we always have
time for everyone. Through my attendance at events in the riding and by
continuing to work to resolve the issues and needs of Thornhill, I can help to
deliver the local representation that you deserve. Watch for my newsletter at
your door in early September for some significant examples of what we?re involved
in.
I urge you to contact my office with any
questions, comments, or concerns you may have and my staff and I will continue
to be happy to assist in anyway that we can. Our number is 905-731-8462. Have a
wonderful Fall season!