ONTARIO NEEDS LEADERSHIP, CLEAR VISION FOR
FUTURE: TORY
PC Leader lays out practical steps to change direction, put Ontario back on top
(Thornhill, ON) - With the right leadership, a vision for the future and a real plan for the economy, Ontario can again be the leader it once was, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory told a crowd of PC supporters tonight.
"There is a bottomless reserve of hard work, family loyalty, dedication and pride in this province - it waits only for leadership and a clear vision," said Tory. "Ontario can do better. Unfortunately though, there is a shortage of hope across Ontario today. That's because there is a shortage of vision and action in Premier McGuinty's office."
Tory made the remarks at the annual PC Ontario Fund's York Region Leader's Dinner. He told the crowd that under the McGuinty Liberals, Ontario has gone from first to worst in economic growth. The province has been driven into 'have-not' status and is now facing a $500 million deficit. In addition to this, Ontario's unemployment rate is now higher than the national average for the first time in 30 years and tens of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost.
Tory said: "Yesterday, Dalton McGuinty's own advisors suggested reducing business taxes. He says we can't afford it. I say we can't afford not to do it. Leaving our business taxes the highest in Canada will cost us more jobs. That's what we can't afford."
Tory told the crowd that a Progressive Conservative Government would take steps to stop Ontario's downward slide, including:
Making Ontario competitive for jobs and investment by committing to a schedule for accelerated reduction of business taxes;
Supporting existing Ontario jobs and businesses by reducing regulatory duplication and delays;
Providing real help for those who have already lost their jobs by making training and incentive funds more accessible;
Demonstrating public sector restraint by freezing salaries at the top levels and enacting a hiring freeze, with exceptions as needed for front-line workers;
Revitalizing the tourism industry through initiatives such as a targeted ad campaign to U.S. border cities promoting low dollar shopping bargains; and
Supporting our local economies by directing, wherever possible, all government operations to 'Buy Ontario'.
"None of this is rocket science. These are practical steps that are currently being done in other places," said Tory. "We are the only Party with the ability to restore hope, the only Party equipped to put Ontario back on top, where it belongs. Ontario's best days are ahead - we can and we will succeed."
