“The McGuinty Liberals have a pathetic record when it comes to waste management,” said Tory. “Just like his many other broken promises, Dalton McGuinty has continuously failed to take this issue seriously. We need a real plan for dealing with Ontario’s waste, one which should include using innovative new technologies to address our waste challenges.”

Tory made the comments after touring the Plasco Trail Road Waste Management Facility in Nepean with several members of the PC Caucus as part of an Ottawa outreach tour. During his visit, Tory reinforced his commitment to implementing an integrated waste strategy in Ontario which will focus on increasing diversion and using new technologies to better manage the remaining waste. Tory has been an advocate of energy from waste since 2003, predating the McGuinty Liberals who have wasted four years being opposed to the technology.

Dalton McGuinty has broken his promise from the 2003 election to divert 60 per cent of municipal solid waste by 2008. The 2005-2006 Environment Commissioner’s Report ‘Neglecting Our Obligations’ reinforced this broken promised by stating that, “…without taking action, Ontario will fall far short of its goal of reaching 60% diversion by the end of 2008.”

“Ontario is way behind the rest of the world in how we deal with our garbage,” said Tory. “It’s time government took action and implemented a plan to deal with this issue and alleviate the stresses on Ontario’s already jammed landfills.”

Tory also pointed to the McGuinty Liberals’ hasty introduction of the government’s LCBO bottle return program, last minute plan to reduce plastic bags, inaction on multi-unit residential buildings and failure to phase in a ban on organic waste to divert it to environmentally friendly composts as further examples of Dalton McGuinty’s lack of leadership or a plan for a greener Ontario.

“It’s now 2007 and our diversion rate is only half what Dalton McGuinty promised,” said Tory. “Ontario needs some real leadership on this issue that isn't going to hide from it. We need an integrated waste strategy and a government who will find new solutions to deal with our waste."