FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2004

CLOSURE OF FROST CENTRE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF LIBERAL HYPOCRISY
Despite Liberal Promises - Door Slammed on Thousands of Ontarians Who Benefit from Frost Centre

(Queen’s Park) Today, residents of Haliburton will hold a rally to protest the Liberal government’s irresponsible decision to shut down the Leslie M. Frost Centre. Last October, the Liberals promised to protect greenspace and to “work closely with conservation authorities, nature organizations, farmers, municipalities and private landowners to meet this goal.” Now they claim that $1.2 million in potential savings is more important than preserving this historic facility.

“The decision to shut down the Frost Centre with no consultation with local residents or municipal leaders shows just how cynical this Liberal government can be,” said Ernie Eves, Leader of the Ontario PC Party.

It is staggering that the Liberals can manage to cut property taxes in Hamilton by $9 million during a by-election, and find $3 million to market the Niagara Region to Americans, but thousands of Ontarians will lose access to the Frost Centre in order to save a fraction of that amount. Put simply, this decision does not make common sense.

The Liberals ran on a platform stressing education and strong communities, yet they want to close the Frost Centre and take jobs, recreation programs and educational opportunities away from thousands of Ontarians.

The Frost Centre provides educational programs for many colleges and universities including Sir Sandford Fleming College, the University of Toronto, as well as elementary and secondary schools from across the Province. It is also a valuable training centre for Conservation Officers, the OPP, MNR employees, and members of the public through their stewardship programs. There are also miles of hiking trails, canoe routes, ski trails and snowshoe routes that provide year round enjoyment.

“The Frost Centre is a valuable resource for elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions, as well as many other important groups,” said Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound Muskoka. “For a government that professes to be interested in the environment, this is a very short-sighted way to save money.”

There are several programs where the government could find the funds necessary to continue operations at the Frost Centre, they simply do not have the desire or the will to try and save this facility. The budget for Natural Resource Management Programs has been increased by over $36 million for 2004-05, but the Liberals refuse to allocate even a fraction of that money to save the Frost Centre.

“I cannot believe that the government would close this treasured facility without giving the community a chance to state their case or to work with the Ministry to address some of these challenges,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Victoria-Brock. “This decision doesn’t help to create a stronger community. Norm Miller and I will continue to fight with the residents of Muskoka and Haliburton to convince the government to preserve the Frost Centre.”

-30-