?When in doubt - tax. If you can?t get away with doing it yourself, get someone else to do it for you. That?s Dalton McGuinty?s philosophy. Toronto?s tax burden is that philosophy in practice,? said Shurman.

All of Ontario is suffering the effects of Liberal economic mismanagement, but in Toronto that struggle is magnified by a series of new taxes Mayor David Miller imposed thanks to the McGuinty Liberals? City of Toronto Act.

Toronto?s seniors, who just lost retirement savings in the financial market, are also facing higher property taxes, despite decreasing property values in Toronto. This is due to Premier McGuinty?s cynical decision to freeze property values at the height of the housing market until 2012.

If they want to downsize to live within their means, they are slammed with additional land transfer taxes.

In addition, Mayor Miller announced yesterday that Toronto residents who were hit this year with a tax increase of up to 3.8 per cent should expect another two to four percent property tax increase next year ? all on the Liberals? watch.

?Recently the Premier told us that he wasn?t too concerned about the clouds gathering on Ontario?s economic horizon. Now we?re in a crisis. Today he said that ?he?s not as gloomy about Toronto? as I am. We?ve learned from the mess Premier McGuinty has made in managing Ontario?s economy that Toronto can?t afford to wait until he?s convinced there?s a problem. The price for inaction is just too high,? said Shurman.

- 30 -

For further information please contact:

Monika Bujalska

Executive Assistant to Peter Shurman, M.P.P.-Thornhill

Tel.: (647) 293-7918 E-mail:monika.bujalska@pc.ola.org