New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath says millions paid out in bonuses to senior managers in the Ontario Public Service shows that the government is more interested in playing politics than ensuring everyday people get the services they need - and called for a ban on executive bonuses."In tough times, people want to see scarce dollars invested where they're needed most. They hear a lot of talk from government but see that the people who need breaks the least are the ones who keep getting them," said Horwath.
98 per cent of managers employed directly by the government in Ontario's public service received bonuses in 2011 costing the treasury $35.6 million. Many more are employed in the broader public sector. Horwath says New Democrats plan to introduce a Bill to put a freeze on bonuses during the current restraint period. The Bill would cover all managers in the broader public sector.
"Instead of political games and empty promises, this is a simple effective step that will make things a little more fair," said Horwath.
