HORWATH TELLS OCC FORD BUDGET PUTS ‘CHILL’ ON INVESTMENT
MINETT — Opposition leaders piled on the premier here Friday at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM & Convention.
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser refused to “rail on” on the government, except to say in his morning remarks, that the Ford government is “moving too fast” and needs to “slow down.”
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Meanwhile, in an afternoon address to delegates, NDP Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath said guaranteeing stability for investors, businesses, and workers is the key to bolstering job creation and building a stronger economy in Ontario.
“I have a vision for an Ontario where people and businesses thrive,” said Horwath, accoriding the party release after.
“Where a government creates the conditions for success, with accountable, transparent and predictable decision making. Where these decisions are rooted in evidence and consultation and everyone knows what to expect each quarter, each year and five years down the road. Together, we can push back against Conservative attempts to take us backwards, and make our alternative vision a reality.”
Horwath said Ford’s first budget was a patchwork of schemes, making deep cuts to services and putting a chill on investment in Ontario — even lowering the Bank of Canada’s growth projections for the year ahead.
“Ford’s first budget made deep cuts to services that grow our economy, while also attacking those things that help families live a good life in Ontario,” said Horwath. “Ford cut $700 million from colleges and universities, putting the future of our skilled workforce at risk. He ripped funding and opportunity away from northern Ontario with a $565 million cut to Northern Development and Mines. Ford even created a plan to charge gas stations $10,000 a day if they don’t display partisan stickers he created on every last gas pump.
“Together, we can push back against his cuts, and all the uncertainty he’s creating, and build a stronger, stable Ontario,” Horwath said.
