Written by - Jewish Tribune
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
TORONTO – In Question Period on Monday, Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman, PC critic for economic development, called on Premier McGuinty to explain his recent comment that anyone looking for a break on their hydro bills should do their laundry on Saturdays.
Shurman asked, “Can the premier tell my constituents whether to do laundry before or after synagogue on the Sabbath?”
Between a 12 per cent increase in hydro rates in May, the implementation of the 8 per cent HST in July and Smart Meter increases, Thornhill families, like those across Ontario, are seeing increasingly unaffordable hydro bills that threaten their ability to maintain ownership of their homes.
In response to this growing crisis, Dalton McGuinty suggested that Ontarians should simply start doing their laundry on Saturdays. McGuinty refused to answer Shurman’s question and passed it off to Brad Duguid, the energy minister, who gave no response.
“Dalton McGuinty’s comment showed not only a lack of understanding of the struggles of Thornhill families, it was an insult to observant Jews who make up 40 per cent of my riding. It was flippant and insensitive and the premier owes the Jewish community of Ontario a sincere apology,” Shurman stated.