Session: 38:2
Date: 9-May-2007

MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION GRANTS

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): I rise today to talk about the ever-increasing stench of Minister Colle's slush fund, because the web of this scandal is growing every day. Minister Colle himself said this in 2004:

"We need a stronger Provincial Auditor who will in essence be a watchdog for the people of Ontario.... It's a wonderful tradition that we have an auditor who ... can report to the people of Ontario....

"I think that's good for democracy and good for the finances of this province."

But, hang on, there's more. Minister Colle added:

"I think the people of Ontario have a lot of confidence in the Auditor General....

"The Provincial Auditor will now have the power to go and ensure that we're getting value for money and the taxpayer is getting value for money."

We know that Liberal policy means saying one thing and doing another. But I'm holding him to his word and saying that if Minister Colle really and truly feels so strongly about the role of Auditor General Jim McCarter, let him do his job and get to the bottom of this slush fund scandal-or are your words simply Liberal rhetoric?

It's becoming more and more clear that transparency and accountability is far too much to ask from Dalton McGuinty. Ontario taxpayers aren't fooled, and they have a right to know. The time is long overdue to call in the auditor to investigate this ordeal.

Let me close with another statement made by Mr. Colle while in opposition: "This is the message: Be accountable."

John Tory and the PC caucus couldn't agree more.

WASTE DIVERSION

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): I'm pleased to respond to the Minister of the Environment's statement today. I must say from the outset that we applaud the fantastic work of the Recycling Council of Ontario, as well as the leadership shown by private industry in Ontario, large and small, who are working very hard to do their part to manage our environment.

But once again we see the Liberal environment minister this time-another day, another photo opportunity, another parade to jump in front of, pretending they're taking the lead, and, as if we have not seen enough, yet another last minute, feel-good election stunt with far-off dates and targets that are being kicked out the door before an election.

Let me quote the Toronto Star from today: "Ontario residents and businesses combined recycled only 25% of their trash last year. That's far behind the 2003 Liberal election promise to divert 60% of waste from landfills."
Dalton McGuinty and his team are not practising the three Rs. The only thing they're doing is the three Ds: duck, deflect and deny.