Hardeman Says Liberals

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 07:35

The Progressive Conservatives vow to vote against the minority Liberal government's budget, while the New Democrats aren't impressed with the fiscal blueprint either. The Liberals need at least two opposition members to vote for the budget or Ontario will be plunged into its second election campaign in five months. Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says Ontarians do not need another election; "we've just had an election and don't think the people of Ontario need another election. What I think they need is a government to stand up and do what they promised which was to try and get our fiscal house in order. So we're going to keep pushing to bring in programming and bring in initiatives that reduce the deficit and also reduce government spending and that is what we're pushing for. I don't know how I can justify voting for spending 2-billion dollars more when everybody at home has been telling me that we have to get our fiscal house in order". Ontario's minority Liberal government has tabled a budget that predicts its 15-billion-dollar deficit will be eliminated in five years. To do that, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan proposes a pay freeze for the public sector. In addition, Duncan plans to cap the average annual growth in program spending at one per cent. Hardeman says the Liberals have missed mark; "the expenses are actually going up 2-billion dollars rather then reducing the cost and size of government, he's actually increasing the cost and size of government. To me it totally misses the mark that we needed to do to try and get our economy back to balance for 2017-18". Here are highlights of the 2012 Ontario budget: -A $127-billion spending plan, including $1 billion in reserve funds, for 2012-13 with a $15.2-billion deficit. -$15.3-billion deficit for 2011-12, down from estimated $16 billion. Still projecting balance by 2017-18. -Pay freeze for teachers, doctors and public sector. If not achieved through collective bargaining then government prepared to legislate pay freeze. -Extension of pay freeze for executives at hospitals, universities, colleges, school boards and agencies for another two years, for a total four-year freeze. -Proposals, but no immediate legislation, to rein in public sector pension costs, including future benefit reductions in case of plan funding deficits. Current retirees not affected. -Freezes corporate tax rate at 11.5 per cent, delaying planned cuts to the rate, until budget is balanced for an estimated savings of $1.5 billion over three years. -Means tests for seniors' prescription drugs under Ontario Drug Benefit Plan, so about five per cent with highest incomes pay more. -Per-capita program spending for 2011-12 projected to be $8,560, the lowest among the provinces. -Government says $17.7 billion in savings and cost containment to be realized over the next three years. -Limits 10 per cent rebates on electricity bills to 3,000 kwh a month, which will affect small businesses but not most homeowners.