Yesterday, in the Provincial Legislature the NDP began backing out of their agreement to pass the 2012 Budget by gutting 5 important sections. The provincial budget contains new measures to reduce tuition, a Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit, a $526 million investment in home care and important initiatives that would have further reduced the deficit while also protecting the significant gains made in health care and education since 2003, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.“Our government has gone to great lengths to include provisions that the provincial NDP insisted on being in the Budget and, in exchange, they agreed to support it but this is the second time they have gone back on their word,” said Orazietti. “The NDP’s latest political stunt cripples the province’s ability to reduce the deficit while protecting important services, which is unacceptable and means that their actions are going to trigger an unnecessary and expensive election this summer.”
Since the Budget was introduced in April the provincial government has been closely working with the provincial NDP to incorporate their ideas while also ensuring that Ontario’s economy remains on track and the deficit continues to decrease. Nevertheless, the NDP went back on their word for the second time yesterday, breaking their agreement and, in a bizarre move, teaming up with the provincial PCs to vote against important deficit fighting measures in order to force a $100 million election this summer.
The final vote on the provincial Budget is on Wednesday, June 20. The 2012 Budget, Strong Action for Ontario, includes an effective plan to pay down the deficit, create jobs and protect health care and education at a time when Ontario families and credit rating agencies are looking for stability.
