February 22, 2012

NEWS

QUEEN’S PARK – Today, Durham MPP John O’Toole joined members of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) to protest the McGuinty government’s decision to consider scrapping its Slots at Racetracks program. The horse racing industry is responsible for 60,000 jobs and over $2 billion in annual economic activity with 80% of these expenditures taking place in rural and agricultural communities.

The OHRIA, joined by members of the PC Caucus, attended a press conference and demonstration on the lawn of Queen’s Park to highlight the valuable economic impact of the horseracing industry on the Ontario economy.

The McGuinty government has threatened to reduce or entirely scrap the Slots at Racetracks programs which directs a portion of the revenue from slot machines to the horse racing industry for capital upgrades and investment. Changes to this partnership could have detrimental impacts to the horseracing industry and rural economies.

QUOTES

“The Slots at Racetracks program is a long term relationship that has benefitted the province, small municipalities, the horse racing industry and rural communities for over a decade. If it’s not broken, don’t let McGuinty diver their revenue to five his deficit.”

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham

“Jobs and the economy should be our focus. While the Premier turns a blind eye to scandals such as ORNGE, he takes aim at this program which is creating jobs and supporting local economies.”

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham

QUICK FACTS

•  
  • The Slots at Racetracks program is a 13-year-old revenue partnership between the provincial government and the 17 Ontario racetracks plus each host municipality.
  • Ontario’s racing industry provides 60,000 jobs and over $2 billion in economic activity annually. 80% of these expenditures are in Ontario’s rural and agricultural communities where it contributes substantially to the local economy
  • The horse racing industry is the second largest sub-sector of Ontario’s agricultural economy (It’s economic contribution in 2010 was in excess of the wheat, eggs, poultry and hog industries)

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For further information please contact:

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham (905) 697-1501 / 1-800-661-2433

Mr. John O’Toole: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’m surprised at the change of order there.

As the opposition critic for accountability, I would like to remind this government and Premier McGuinty what accountability truly means. It is a very familiar concept, one that this government has found very difficult to understand. Accountability is the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for one’s actions. The fact is that rather than accept responsibility, this government has chosen to blame those around them.

In scandals such as Ornge, he blames the public sector; eHealth scandal, he blames everyone; failing economy, he blames Europe and Greece; failing health care system, he blames Stephen Harper in Ottawa. The pattern is quite simple, and it can be well understood. When presented with the consequences of his actions, the Premier has skirted the responsibility. He has chosen to ignore responsibility and to ignore his duty to the people of Ontario.

Our great province deserves more accountability in this government. Our people deserve better than Dalton McGuinty. A report card from Don Drummond clearly reveals that after eight years of McGuinty and this government, it’s time to own up and accept responsibility for your actions.

Premier McGuinty would like to be remembered as the Education Premier, just like Premier Bill Davis. Well, Premier McGuinty’s report card is in. The 362 recommendations from Economist Don Drummond are a report on Premier McGuinty’s performance after eight years in office. By any measure, Premier McGuinty has failed. Don Drummond warned last week that, if no changes are made to the Ontario government policies, programs and practices, Ontario’s annual deficit would more than double to $30 billion within the next five years. The total provincial debt would reach $441 billion by 2017-18 if the status quo remains.

Another independent financial authority, Ontario’s Auditor General, said in his review of Ontario’s finances before the 2011 provincial election that average growth in program expenses was 6.9 per cent per year since the McGuinty government took office. The Drummond Report calls for future spending increases of just 0.8 per cent per year.
Some of the targets recommended by Drummond include the following.

Healthcare: 2.5% annual increase. (Formerly 7.1% average increase in each of past 8 years.)

Education: 1 % annual increase (Formerly 4.8% average increase.)

Post Secondary Education (excluding training): 1.5% (Formerly 8.6% for education & training.)

Aside from healthcare, education and social services, the Drummond Report recommends that average annual spending be reduced by 2.4 per cent in all other programs.

Long-term, Ontario needs to return to first principles of spending only what you have, setting spending priorities on essential programs and services such as health and education, and exiting areas of business that government has no business being in. It is important that Premier McGuinty stops blaming the previous Ontario government and the federal government.

New suggestions in the Drummond Report range from charging fees on school buses, to ending full day kindergarten and halting the 10% clean energy benefit on our hydro bills. There’s enough controversy in the report to keep headline writers busy for months.  However, amidst the doom and gloom, we must keep in mind that Ontario’s greatest asset is its people. Ontario is a province of strong communities, and hard-working, resourceful, educated, and innovative citizens. We need to remember that we are in this together. We must unleash Ontario’s strengths as communities and individuals if we are to weather the current economic storm and emerge as a stronger province.

I challenge Premier McGuinty to act on the advice of his hand-picked expert and to work with all partners in the Legislature and throughout our Province to bring positive change. Not everyone will agree with every recommendation. Nevertheless, the insights of the Drummond Report are valid. It’s time to move away from tax-and-spend policies and towards a new consensus based on innovation, excellence, efficiency and accountability. Premier McGuinty has been in charge of spending for the past eight years. He has increased spending and doubled the accumulated debt. It is time to pay off the credit card.

More Drummond Recommendations

Healthcare

• The health sector accounts for 105 recommendations.
• Emphasis on health promotion and patient-centred care, rather than intervention after a problem occurs.
• Mental health services are currently delivered through 10 ministries, 440 children’s agencies, 330 community mental health agencies and 150 substance abuse centres. There needs to be one body to co-ordinate care.
• The 36 public health agencies should be brought under the jurisdiction of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINS). The Drummond Report foresees a bigger role for LHINs in the future. The report said an estimated $1 billion could be saved if all back-office functions of the LHINS such as IT, Human Resources and research could be integrated.
• Another example of enlarging the role of LHINs would be the placement of Ontario’s 2,500 separately funded health agencies, including the province’s 151 hospital corporations, under the jurisdiction of LHINs.

Education:

• Restraining the annual growth rate for elementary and secondary schools to 1%. (It is currently averaging 4.8%.)
• Restraining post-secondary growth to 1.5% per year to 2017/18. (Post-secondary education and training was 8.6%.)
• Cancellation of the full-day kindergarten program
• Larger class sizes for primary schools, junior/intermediate and secondary schools. According to Drummond, investments in smaller classes have not demonstrated improved results.
• Eliminating 70% of the 13,800 additional non-teaching positions created in school boards since 2002-03.
• Re-shaping student financial assistance. Drummond specifically noted the government’s new 30% tuition grant has been poorly implemented and should target low-income students.

Other Government Programs:

• No recommendations to sell government business enterprises such as Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Ontario Power Generation etc.
• Drummond Report calls for public sector to provide services as effectively and efficiently as possible. This is similar to the Ontario PCs’ call for a top-to-bottom review of agencies, boards and commissions. Drummond says: “There has yet to be a more extensive review of all agencies to determine if their mandates are still relevant and whether overall efficiencies can be achieved in the government’s use of these entities.”
• Drummond recommends a number of measures to improve Ontario’s arbitration system. He suggests establishing a time limit on the arbitration process and broadening the ability to pay criteria. The Ontario PC Caucus has repeatedly asked the McGuinty government to enact these changes.
• No outright freeze on public service salaries. However, there would be no raises for civil servants unless they find cost savings that could then be applied towards raises.

- Page 81, Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 15, 2012

JOHN O’TOOLE: GET ON WITH THE JOB, PREMIER

QUEEN’S PARK – Don Drummond’s report has exposed a Liberal spending crisis more severe than anything previously disclosed, requiring immediate action to start reversing the damage – and straight talk from political leaders, Durham MPP John O’Toole said today.

“The simple fact is that we would not be in this mess without years of uncontrolled McGuinty Liberal spending, which Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus have opposed every step of the way,” John O’Toole said.

“Yet for months now, the Liberals have shown fear that if they are honest with people, they’ll fall in public opinion polls. I believe that if we don’t level with people now, Ontario will fall off a cliff.”

Every day’s delay will only worsen the situation, Mr. O’Toole added, saying the task now is to hold the government to account and champion the changes needed to kick-start a provincial recovery and avert Ontario’s bankruptcy.

“Dalton McGuinty needs to restore some confidence that this government has shaken off its paralysis. To start, he must declare a “quarantine zone” around the public purse. No more new, uncosted, one-off spending initiatives.”

Further, John O’Toole reported, Don Drummond said that every one of his 362 recommendation must be acted on in order to balance the budget by 2017. “If the Premier takes a single one of them off the table, he must specify an alternative approach.”

The Durham MPP also called on the government to impose an immediate public sector wage freeze, put an end to corporate welfare – which, according to the report, shows little evidence “of achieving any economic benefit for Ontario” (p. 309) – and implement pro-growth policies such as apprenticeship reform.

Longer term, Mr. O’Toole said, Ontario governments need to return to first principles: spend only what you have; set spending priorities on essential programs and services such as health and education; and exit other areas of business that government has no business being in.

“It’s time to say the things Ontarians need to know – not just what they want to hear: We’re running out of money, and running out of time,” John O’Toole said. “And, as we fight for a leaner, more efficient government, we must also grow small business and the private sector economy.

“We commit to lead this charge on behalf of Ontario’s hard-pressed taxpayers – and especially the 600,000 Ontarians who didn’t have a job to go to this morning.”

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For further information please contact:

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham (905) 697-1501 / 1-800-661-2433

You may have noticed that the letter A is missing from the name of the ORNGE air ambulance service that has been making non-stop headlines across Ontario. Most Ontarians would agree the missing letter A stands for Accountability.

As we peel away the details, it seems that there are really two stories in one. The first is about the lack of accountability for taxpayers’ dollars on the part of a group of people entrusted to deliver essential air ambulance services in Ontario. For example, the President/CEO of ORNGE drew a salary of $1.4 million. By setting up a separate company through which incomes of the CEO and other executives were paid, the salary of the ORNGE president and CEO was missing from the provincial salary disclosure list.

As early as April of 2011, PC MPP Frank Klees asked Health Minister Deb Matthews during Question Period to account for facts such as the 450 per cent increase in the cost of air ambulance services that had occurred under Dalton McGuinty’s watch. The second story is about the fact that the McGuinty government knew about the problems at ORNGE and did nothing. This can be seen not only in Frank Klees’ warnings during Question Period, but also in letters addressed to the Health Minister outlining plans for the Agency to leverage taxpayers’ money for new for-profit business ventures. There were also letters from Liberal backbenchers questioning ORGNE as early as 2009/10. This lack of openness and accountability is right up there with the e-Health’s billion-dollar scandal and the electricity price scandals.

No doubt, the McGuinty government is hoping that the ORNGE debacle will fade away. But, given what we know today, this seems highly unlikely. In fact, this scandal has the potential to be even bigger than e-Health.

Now, more than ever, we need a parliamentary review of ORNGE. To truly ensure accountability, we also need a review of the alphabet soup of Ontario agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) that the Province of Ontario oversees. The Province of Ontario has more than 600 of these agencies. In many cases, they expend enormous funds – often with little or no oversight. These so-called ABCs must be reviewed with the goal of providing good value to Ontario families. Those that work should be left alone, those that are broken must be fixed, and those that cannot justify their existence should be scrapped.

Your comments on provincial issues are always welcome. I can be reached at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org

Premier McGuinty Gets Report Card This Week

Many have been calling Ontario’s intensive review of public services and government spending The Drummond Report. The investigation led by the former TD Bank Chief Economist and former senior civil servant, Don Drummond, is due to be released on February 15. Upwards of 400 recommendations are expected. In many ways, this document is a report card on the Dalton McGuinty government. Once the report has been tabled for public review, maybe it’s time to refer to Don Drummond’s recommendations as the McGuinty Report. Under the McGuinty government, spending is up by $45 billion. The Ontario government is spending $2 million more each hour than it is taking in through revenue. PC Leader Tim Hudak said last week that ordinary Ontarians already know it was Premier McGuinty who got us into this economic mess in the first place. When you read the Drummond Report, remember how we got here. Moreover, the response to the Drummond Commission recommendations will be entirely up to the McGuinty government. Indeed, the Premier has said so himself, when he observed: “(Drummond’s) responsibility is to advise. Ours is to decide.” 

Census Is a Warning for Ontario’s Economy

Canada’s 2011 census has given Ontario the distinction of being the only province with major cities reporting a decline in growth. Windsor lost 1.3% of its population since the 2006 census and Thunder Bay declined by 1.1%.  Ontario gained 96,000 fewer immigrants and lost twice as many Ontarians to other provinces, according to new 2011 census data released last week.

Ontario’s population grew by 5.7 per cent between the census of 2006 and the census of 2011. That’s below the national average, and it’s a rate that is rather anemic when you consider the statistics from western Canada. Alberta had the highest provincial growth of 10.8 per cent. Yukon had the highest population increase among both provinces and territories, at 11.7%.

The census is further proof that Ontario needs to get its economic house in order if it is to regain its place as the economic engine of Canada. The focus must clearly be on jobs, opportunities for investment, and building a stronger economy.

For the record, Ontario’s population, based on the 2011 census, stood at 12,851,821. Locally, the Municipality of Clarington has a population of 84,548 (up 8.6 per cent from the 2006 census); Scugog’s population is 21,569 (up by 0.6%) and the population of Uxbridge is 20,623 (up 7.6%). Look for more details to be revealed from the Canadian census throughout 2012.

The next census report is due for release May 29, 2012 and it will focus on data about the age and sex of the Canadian population.  Future releases of census information will cover: families, households, marital status, structural type of dwelling and collectives (September 19, 2012) and language (October 24, 2012)

You can read the census reports online at the Statistics Canada web site at: www.statcan.gc.ca .

The McGuinty government is dangerously out of touch if it believes arbitrated public sector salary settlements of up to 20 per cent reflect the economic times in which we live. When municipal employees are unable to reach an agreement on wages and benefits with the municipality that employs them, the dispute may be referred to the arbitration process.

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak said last week that the first step in fixing the broken arbitration system is to require arbitrators to consider a municipality’s ability to pay when arriving at a settlement. I understand and respect the work done in the public sector, including essential services. Municipalities, regions, provincial and federal levels of government cannot expand spending faster than the growth in the economy. If this principle is not followed, we are looking at a situation in which non-elected arbitrators tell elected municipal councils how to budget. Settlements greater than the cost of living are simply not sustainable.

Tim Hudak added that arbitrators should also give written decisions that clearly explain the reasons for their findings. Municipal Affairs Critic Steve Clark said last week that arbitrators will be less inclined to “give away the store” at taxpayers’ expense if they have to deliver clear, written decisions that explain the reasons for their awards.

Arbitrators also need to meet timelines in order to allow local governments to budget accordingly. In many cases, arbitration decisions take years. One case in Thunder Bay was not resolved for seven years or 85 months. Speeding up the process will be fairer to everyone, including employees, elected municipal councillors and taxpayers. Your comments on provincial issues are always welcome. I can be reached at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org 

Comments Sought on Retirement Homes Act

February 25 is the deadline for public comments on the latest round of Ontario’s proposed regulations governing retirement homes. You can find out more about the regulations at the Ontario Seniors Secretariat web site, www.seniors.gov.on.ca . Generally speaking, the Retirement Homes Act creates a regulatory authority with the power to licence homes conduct inspections, and enforce the regulations. The Act also establishes mandatory care and safety standards as well as establishing residents’ rights. Keep in mind that retirement homes are private. The resident pays for everything and this can be expensive. Furthermore, there is absolutely no provincial funding. On the other hand, long-term care homes are provincially regulated and funded to approximately $50,000 per bed per year.

The Fine Print in Government’s Tuition Rebate

The McGuinty government claims to be giving Ontario college and university students a 30 per cent reduction in tuition, but students expecting to get a break should check the fine print. The rebate does not apply to full-time students out of high school more than four years, to part-time students and to graduate students, nor does it apply to students in law, medicine, dentistry, nursing and teaching. As is the case with too many of this government’s promises, some restrictions apply. In a protest at Queen’s Park and at least one Liberal MPP’s office, the students made their point about the gaps in the rebate program. Protesting students also observed that Ontario’s university tuition is the highest in Canada. The McGuinty government has also eliminated about $42 million in research grants to graduate students and faculty. Today’s economy is knowledge-based. Our children need an affordable education that doesn’t leave them with a crushing debt at the end.

Farm Group Calls for Wind Turbine Moratorium

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has issued a new position statement that takes a tough stand on large-scale industrial wind turbines. Specifically, the OFA said last month that the province should suspend further development until farm families and rural residents are assured their interests are adequately protected. Concerns raised by the Federation included: the removal of municipal planning from industrial wind turbine projects, prices paid for electricity generated by wind power, setback distances for turbines and “induced currents”, and health issues. The OFA said it has worked with government on regulations for wind turbines, but also cautioned members on the pitfalls of wind leases and expressed concerns about pricing. The Federation added that many of these issues have not been addressed, causing tremendous tension among rural residents and community neighbours. The recommendations of the OFA reaffirm what Durham Riding residents facing the possibility of industrial wind farm operations have being saying from the start of this debate. Giving approvals for these projects back to local government, and a thorough review of the environmental impacts would go a long way towards deciding what form of wind energy is best for Ontario. Municipalities have also raised concerns over solar energy projects on agricultural land.

Information Centre for Hwy 401 Improvements

The Province of Ontario has announced a public information centre for improvements to Highway 401 through the municipality of Clarington. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Newcastle Community Hall. After February 9, you can also view the displays for the Public Information Centre online at www.highway401improvementsclarington.ca . The provincial government is currently conducting two studies related to future improvements on Highway 401. These include a study of 401 underpasses at Cobbledick Rd. and East Townline Rd., plus general improvements for Highway 401 between the Durham Region’s eastern boundary and Courtice Rd. Provisions for high occupancy vehicle lanes will be part of the study. The review is scheduled to take place throughout 2012.

February 2, 2012

DURHAM – Peterborough students took to the streets this past week to protest the McGuinty government’s unfair tuition credit. Over 175 students, led by Trent University’s Brea Hutchinson, protested in front of their local Liberal MPP’s office.

At the centre of their anger was the government’s decision to grant tuition rebates to only a select few qualifying students. Meanwhile, the rest of the student population is struggling under a crushing debt burden. Thousands of Ontario students are being left hamstrung by the high costs of interest payments when they graduate. Add this to the 20% youth unemployment rate and post-secondary education is quickly moving out of reach for many families.

Adding insult to injury, the McGuinty government also recently eliminated $42 million in research grants by scrapping the Ontario Research Funds. Graduate students and faculty will now have to contend with a smaller pool of research funding in Ontario.

QUOTES

“Rather than attempt to fix the serious problems in our post-secondary education system, the Premier has attempted to buy students off. They aren’t biting.”

- John O’Toole, MPP Durham

“Today’s economy is knowledge based, and yet Ontario has the highest post-secondary tuition rates in the country.”

- John O’Toole, MPP Durham

QUICK FACTS

• The following students are not eligible for the McGuinty tuition rebate:
• Full-time students who have been out of high school more than four years.
• Part-time students
• Students who do not meet income test requirements.
• Graduate students
• Medical students
• Law students
• Dentistry students
• Nursing students
• Teaching students

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For further information please contact:

John O’Toole, MPP – Durham (905) 697-1501 / 1-800-661-2433

The likely date for the release of the Drummond report about Ontario’s economic future seems to have been moved to early or mid February. However, thanks to a number of interviews given to the media by Don Drummond himself, we have a general idea of where the recommendations are going. In my view, the Drummond Report is essentially a report card on the McGuinty government.

From a speech he made to The Canadian Club in Toronto last week, it seems that Premier McGuinty has finally admitted half the Ontario budget is spent on wages and that we cannot deal with our deficit without addressing public service salaries. The Premier promised once again that he won’t raise taxes. However, we have seen that promise made and broken before. There is clearly an issue of trust that Ontario must face.

Don Drummond said in one media interview that: “The structure of the government programs in Ontario right now does not fit with the longer-term economic prospects of Ontario, and this has got nothing to do with the current weakness in the United Sates and Europe.” In other words, this is a made-in-Ontario problem and not a challenge that comes from beyond our borders. Ontario’s latest Auditor General’s report has confirmed that for each of the last eight years, Premier McGuinty has raised government spending by an average of almost 7%.

In preliminary reports on the Drummond recommendations, cuts of up to 30 per cent in some Ministries have been predicted. Increased spending will still be possible in priority areas of health and education. But, even in these ministries, the growth in the budget would be less than what would have been assumed a few months ago. Previews of the upcoming report suggest union contracts, hospital protocols and even the government’s caps on class sizes and full-day kindergarten are all under the microscope.  It is important to keep in mind that the final decisions must be made by Ontario’s MPPs in a minority government.  That’s why we need a thorough consultation on the Drummond recommendations – a point on which Commissioner Drummond would also agree. My concern is that events such as Premier McGuinty’s speech to the Toronto Canadian Club last week and the Drummond Report may simply turn into sales pitches for the government’s own agenda and its upcoming Ontario budget.

The McGuinty government must realize that we are all in this together. Ontario is reaching the point where we need to hear less from experts, less from the McGuinty government and more from the hard-working Ontario taxpayers who pay the bills.

Nominations Invited for Leading Girls Awards

Each year, Ontario MPPs are invited to nominate young women for outstanding achievement in community service that improves the lives of others. I welcome suggestions from local organizations or individuals who would like to recommend candidates for these awards. Nominees must be female and under the age of 18 at the time of nomination. They will have demonstrated exceptional community leadership to improve the lives of others in their schools or communities. They must have achieved success in areas such as: breaking down barriers; championing issues such as equality, diversity and healthy, equal relationships; and actively participating in the political process. I need to receive your suggestions no later than February 7 in order to meet the nomination deadline. I can be reached at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Those who receive a Leading Girls Award will receive a Certificate of Recognition and a letter from the Minister responsible for women’s issues.

Some Facts on Farming

This month, I had the opportunity to join with a number of local farm organizations during their winter annual general meetings. I have received a most informative booklet entitled The Real Dirt on Farming (Second Edition). Given the fact that just two per cent of Canada’s population is comprised of farmers, this book helps to explain the work of Ontario’s farm community to non-farmers.

Here are a few facts on farming from the booklet:

• A farmer in 1900 produced enough food for only 10 people and Canadians spent 50% out of every dollar earned on food.
• Today’s farmer can feed well over 120 people. Our food costs have fallen to 10.6 per cents out of every dollar we earn. The message: “Farmers Feed Cities” tells the story directly.
• In 1931, one in three Canadians lived on a farm. Today, it’s just one in 46.
• While there’s a growing trend towards larger farms, 98 per cent of Canadian farms are still family-owned and operated.
• Farming is of vital importance to the Canadian economy, contributing $41.8 billion in sales from horticulture, poultry, crops, and livestock
• The farmer’s share of revenue from two loaves of bread costing $4.94 in 2009 was just 22 cents. When you buy a medium pizza costing $16.25, just 69 cents goes to the dairy farmer. (Based on statistics compiled in 2009.)

It takes almost 2.1 million Canadians to bring food to tables in Canada and around the world. That’s one out of every eight jobs in a food production chain that includes farmers, suppliers, processors, transporters, grocers and restaurant workers. In Durham, agri-business is the largest sector of our economy. We are blessed with many agricultural leaders. You can read more about “The Real Dirt on Farming” online at Farm and Food Care Ontario. The organization’s web site is located at www.farmfoodcare.org . It’s a most informative site for anyone wanting to learn more about “everything agriculture.” The web site focuses on the values, skills, and stewardship of the Ontario farm families who put food on our table.

PC Leader Tim Hudak said last week that Ontarians can look to other western democracies and even to other Canadian provinces to see examples of public sector wage freezes that worked.

Tim Hudak noted that Dalton McGuinty is running a $16 billion deficit, and more than 560,000 Ontarians are out of work. With 55 per cent of all government program expenses going to compensation, something’s got to give – and soon. Premier McGuinty says he has implemented a non-union public sector wage freeze. What is the difference?

In British Columbia, the Liberal government imposed two wage freezes over the past decade in the public sector. New Brunswick and Manitoba expressed their intention to legislate wage freezes, but were able to achieve voluntary concessions from their public sectors.

In the United States, President Obama imposed a two-year pay freeze in 2010 on all government employees outside the military. In the United Kingdom, a wage freeze introduced in the 2010 budget affected teachers, prison officers and the armed forces.

Ontario’s approach to pay freezes has failed. It’s clearly time to get ideas from other jurisdictions where wage freezes have helped rein in government spending. Remember that Ontario is spending $2 million more every hour than it is taking in. Without decisive and effective action from the provincial government, that shortfall will only get worse.

Public Hearing Needed on ORNGE Ambulance

In April 2011, opposition MPP Frank Klees questioned Ontario’s Health Minister about costs and accountability at Ontario’s ORNGE ambulance services. These concerns are growing with each passing day as new revelations surface and are reported in the media. When he questioned the Health Minister last spring, Frank Klees pointed out that costs increased by more than 450% since the McGuinty government converted the Ontario air ambulance and critical care land ambulance service to a not-for-profit corporation. Ontarians have also learned that ORNGE employees on the ‘sunshine list” have increased from 16 people in 2006 to 116 by 2011. Earlier this month, MPP Klees added that it’s time for public hearings on exactly what has happened at ORNGE. The ideal forum for such hearings would be an all-party committee of the Legislature with power to call witnesses. In my view, this is the best way to restore accountability and tell taxpayers exactly how their money has been spent. This is another example of government waste and mismanagement, like e-Health.

Durham Authorized to Elect Regional Chair

An announcement from Ontario’s Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister last week paves the way for the next Regional Chair to be selected in a public ballot. Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne has signed the papers needed for the Durham Region to change the process. This means there are no provincial hurdles remaining. However, Durham Region has more work to do. For example, there must be a public meeting, five of eight Durham municipalities must support the concept of an elected Chair, and there must be approval of regional council. In the past, Durham’s smaller northern municipalities have been reluctant to support an election at large because of concerns that more power would be handed over to the larger, more urbanized municipalities in the south. I intend to support these concerns. However, I am sure there are rules that may offset the balance-of-power issues. That being said, the referendums held in the 2010 local elections showed strong support from the public for an elected chair. Current Regional Chair Roger Anderson has been quoted as saying that Regional Council could deal with this subject in February. In any event, there is time for a decision to be finalized before the next municipal elections in 2014. Previous Regional Chairs have been elected solely by earning a majority vote among the members of Regional Council. Durham Region has over 500,000 citizens. It is larger than some provinces.

Seniors Over 80 Can Renew Health Cards by Mail

Ontario seniors, age 80 and over, can renew their health cards through a mail-in renewal service. In the future, seniors 80-plus can complete and sign the back of their renewal notices and return them to ServiceOntario in a pre-addressed envelope. This means they won’t have to wait in lines or make trips through winter weather to renew their health cards. As the old red and white health cards are being replaced with photo ID that must be renewed, frail seniors are finding it difficult to apply for new cards. I have written Ontario’s Health Minister on this issue, and I am sure similar comments have been forwarded to the Ministry from other MPPs, from individuals, and families. Statistics Canada figures from the 2006 census shows there are about 442,000 people over the age of 80 in Ontario. Of course, those who prefer to renew in person can still visit their local ServiceOntario centre.

Since not all seniors enjoy the same level of health and mobility, I would prefer to see the mail-in option made available to anyone over the age of 65. For that matter, why can’t seniors aged 80 and up simply have their cards automatically extended? There must be a better way, and governments need to find it.

Canada’s Non-Smoking Week: January 15 – 21

During the 35th Annual National Non-Smoking Week held January 15 to 21, Ontarians had the opportunity to take stock of a number of policies that have helped smokers to quit and have cleared the air for non-smokers. For example, smoking is now prohibited in enclosed public spaces and workplaces. Children are protected from second-hand smoke in cars and the so-called power walls that promoted tobacco products in stores have been banned. In Ontario, smokers will get more help to quit through new and enhanced supports, including increased access to nicotine replacement therapy and planned expansion of cessation counseling in healthcare settings, including pharmacies.

As Ontario struggles with a $16 billion deficit, it’s time ensure the province’s 630 agencies, boards and commissions are providing value to taxpayers.

“Every agency, board and commission must be reviewed to ensure it provides quality service to Ontarians. The guiding principle must be as follows: If an agency works, then government should leave it alone. If it’s broken, fix it. If it cannot justify its existence, it goes.

As Accountability Critic in our PC Caucus, I had the opportunity last week to speak at Queen’s Park on the need to review and to reform Ontario’s agencies, boards and commissions. You may recall that Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak introduced legislation last year calling for a mandatory performance review of every bureaucracy. It was supported by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the National Citizens Coalition, and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The McGuinty government defeated this legislation.

To put the issue in perspective, ask yourself how many Ontarians can name just five of the 630 agencies, boards and commissions receiving funds from Ontario taxpayers? We have reached the point where almost any combination of letters in the alphabet will spell out a provincial agency.  That’s why PC Leader Tim Hudak introduced legislation calling for a review.

Last week, the Ontario PC Caucus once again called on the McGuinty government to adopt our jobs and economy plan in order to find much-needed savings of taxpayers’ money. If the Premier is out of ideas, he is welcome to adopt our plan, which includes a public sector wage freeze and reforms of the apprenticeship system to create 200,000 new job opportunities.

A few examples of other Ontario PC Caucus policies for making government leaner, more efficient, and more accountable to Ontario families for public spending include a mandatory public sector wage freeze and an immediate annual two per cent reduction to ministry budgets, excluding health and education. In calling for a top-to-bottom review of all spending areas, including health and education, we must find efficiencies for reinvestment in priority programs and determine “nice to have” versus “must have” programs.

Summer Company Program Opens for 2012

Ontario students have a chance to be their own boss and create their own summer job through Ontario’s Summer Company 2012 program. Applications are now being accepted. This is an exciting opportunity for students 15 to 29 years of age who want to start their own company. If your application is accepted, you’ll be eligible to receive up to $1,500 to put towards start-up costs and $1,500 upon successful completion of the program. Hands-on business coaching, training and mentoring are part of the Summer Company experience. Remember to apply early, since space is limited.

More information is available from the Business Advisory Centre Durham. They may be reached at www.bacd.ca or toll-free at 1-866-632-5151.

Ontario 2012 Fishing Guidelines Available

The latest information on recreational fishing in Ontario is now available in a book format and online. The booklet, which includes a summary of information on fishing licences and fishing laws, can be found at the Ministry of Natural Resources web site, www.mnr.gov.on.ca . We also have copies of the booklet at my Constituency Office. For further information, please call my office at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. Our e-mail address is john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.. Many Ontarians may not be aware that Ontario’s world-class fishery reels in almost $2.5 billion for the Ontario economy. Every dollar anglers spend on licences goes to a special purpose account used for fish and wildlife management. You can visit www.ontario.ca/fishing  to plan your next fishing adventure. The next family fishing weekend is February 18 – 20. The hours from 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday (Feb. 18 – 20, 2012) are designated as Ontario Family Fishing Weekend license-free fishing days. During all other periods, most Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase an Outdoors Card and a fishing license to legally fish in Ontario.

RRSPs Vs. Tax-Free Savings Accounts

With income tax season approaching, many Ontarians are especially aware of how they have invested, saved and spent their money in the past year. Here are a few thoughts about the value of RRSPs, compared with tax-free savings accounts. Tax-free savings accounts do allow you to grow your retirement savings without a big tax clawback when those funds are withdrawn. And, although there are significant withholding taxes on RRSPs, the fact remains that RRSPs represent a form of forced savings. All legitimate forms of savings are to be encouraged. However, TFSAs may be a little too easy to access for many consumers, especially when they are making a big purchase and need some quick cash. RRSPs have more staying power and, of course, they are an important tool for Canadians who need to reduce their income tax bill. The savings vehicle that is best for you depends on your own financial situation and your goals for the future. But first, it’s important to get all the facts. We must all save for a rainy day.

2012 is International Year of Co-operatives

The 2012 International Year of Co-operatives was officially launched in Canada last Thursday, January 12. Co-operatives, credit unions, and supporters in 14 cities across Canada took part in the celebration. It is estimated that a billion people around the world are part of the co-operative movement. More information on the International Year of Co-operatives is at www.canada2012.coop. You can find details about co-operatives in Ontario at www.ontario.coop.