FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2004

LAW BREAKING LIBERALS STEAM-ROLL ONTARIANS WITH TAX HIKES AND SERVICE CUTS
Liberal Government Passes Tax-and-Slash Budget Bill in Spite of Public Outcry

(Queen’s Park) Under cover of darkness, at 9:30pm on Thursday evening, the Liberal government marched forward with their reckless agenda by quietly passing the Budget Measures Act, despite opposition from the Progressive Conservative caucus. The bill passed with unanimous support from members of the Liberal caucus who chose to disregard public opinion and strong opposition from experts in the financial and health communities.

“Since the Liberal Budget was announced on May 18, I have spoken with hundreds of people in our community who are disgusted with this government’s callous attitude and broken promises,” stated Laurie Scott. “Dalton McGuinty promised he would not raise taxes, yet modest and middle income families will start seeing as much as $1,000 per year come off their paychecks starting on July 1st as a result of the government’s punishing new health tax.”

Following a wave of public backlash over the budget, the Liberal government has seen their popularity plummet by 16 points and Dalton McGuinty’s approval rating has hit rock bottom at a meager 9 percent. As a result of this hostile response, the government was forced to cut off debate on the budget bill and abuse their majority in the Legislature to covertly pass their budget with virtually no public consultation.

During the total of 8-hours of public hearing on the budget, the government heard from groups such as chiropractors, physiotherapists and taxpayer protection groups who were unanimous in their condemnation of the Liberal tax hikes and the de-listing of vital health care services. With respect to the new health tax, Tasha Kheiriddin, Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation, told the government that “every year families will have $600 less to spend on rent or mortgage payments, on food, or on the education of their children. It will essentially reverse all the income tax gains made by Ontarians since 1999.”

“People in our community cannot afford this new tax. Nor can they afford the Liberal government’s privatization of eye exams, physiotherapy or chiropractic services,” said Laurie Scott. “I have heard from my constituents, and I will live up to this promise – I will fight these reckless Liberal policies on their behalf until Dalton McGuinty does the right thing and reverses his agenda. Raising taxes in this province requires a referendum – that is the law, and despite what the Liberals may think, this government is not above the law. This is not what they campaigned on. It is another broken Liberal promise.”

“Dalton McGuinty cannot hide from his record. He promised to hold the line on our taxes and provide equal access for all Ontarians to vital health care services. By passing this budget, the Liberals have not only broken their promise, they have put the health and financial well-being of all Ontarians at risk.”

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