John Tory Ontario PC Leader

Chris Savard
Seaway News

October 6, 2006:

It was three years ago this week, on October 2, 2003, that Dalton McGuinty’s government was elected to Queen’s Park. This week Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory, said it was a time to reflect on the impact of countless broken promises to the people of Ontario.

“This is more than just Dalton McGuinty going back on his word. His broken promises have hurt many Ontarians,” said Tory. This week, while Dalton McGuinty spent time on a self-congratulatory tour, while Tory’s recent travels around the province have shown him a different story.

Tory was in North Bay and Sudbury last Thursday talking about the devastation in the forestry industry and the neglect of the North by the McGuinty Liberals. Tory was at the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo Saturday to see an emergency room that was threatening to close as part of the ongoing province-wide ER crisis. Following his visit to Grand River he travelled to Caledonia, where an occupation continues with no leadership. He also spoke to farmers there, who are having an especially tough time. Tory spent Monday in Ottawa, where broken promises have left Ottawa commuters stuck in gridlock and have caused increased wait times at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

"Parents, seniors on fixed income and especially the working poor have felt the stunning impact of Dalton McGuinty's promise not to raise taxes," said Tory. "His government's three-year anniversary is marked by a crisis in 20 emergency rooms around the province and no progress on the doctor shortage. His government ignoring community safety issues has put the safety of our streets at risk."

Ontarians have worked hard to create jobs despite a business environment where Dalton McGuinty has increased taxes, regulations and red tape. Ontario parents have demonstrated a great deal of patience in dealing with an education system where there have been three different education ministers over the past six months and Dalton McGuinty hasn't kept his promise to improve the funding formula.

This government has a proven record of broken promises. Mr. McGuinty said one thing when he needed your vote in 2003, but has a record of doing another when he took office. McGuinty promised he would not raise taxes and each of us in the Province of Ontario witnessed on our recent tax return that the new Health Premium, was one of the largest tax increases in Ontario’s history.

I believe we can do better. Our region’s future is limited only by our imagination and willingness to work hard. It starts with an optimistic vision for the province and a Government that can keep its promises.