Like our current MPP, Bill Walker, I am concerned about the recent Auditor General's report that says Ontario's deficit is larger than our current government had determined it was. But unlike Mr Walker, I don't agree that his party has developed a solid strategy to put Ontario back on track, nor are they prepared to form government.
In the Owen Sound Hub's April 25th article, Mr Walker is quoted as saying, "We will restore responsibility, accountability, and trust in government." I find this statement to be very hollow.
Those are virtuous qualities, but I am anxiously reminded that Mr Walker's party has not yet released their platform. They are currently rushing to develop it, and will hopefully be able release it before Election Day, on June 7.
So, I wonder with what evidence Mr Walker has based that statement.
Does Mr Walker think his party's leader is being responsible when on April 12, he vowed to fire Hydro One's CEO? But since Hydro One is no longer a public company, the government doesn't have the direct ability to fire the CEO.
Mr Walker's party would have to fire the board members of Hydro One, replace them with people who weren't necessarily the most qualified, but who would definitely agree to fire that CEO. All of this would incur gigantic payouts for severance packages.
Perhaps it was his party leader's idea on March 28th that Ontario should cut its funding to the CBC? But they're obviously unable to do this, as the CBC is federally funded. This error makes it seem clear that Mr Walker's leader doesn't understand the responsibilities of the provincial government, which is concerning to me.
Without a platform from Mr Walker's party, we are unable to determine if they can be a responsible government. Without a plan prepared for voters to consider, they're certainly not setting themselves up to be accountable for anything. And let me tell you, Doug Ford has a long way to go before he has my trust.
Insofar as Mr Walker assuring us that his party is committed to restoring trust in government, his party leader's behaviour thus far certainly does not seem to illustrate that would be true.
I think many of us can agree that we don't want to see the Liberals continue with their plan for Ontario. And I think it would behoove us all to remember that we have a party besides the Conservatives or Liberals, who we can all turn to for a solid plan, one which has been analyzed and confirmed by experts, including the former federal parliamentary budget officer, Kevin Page.
This other party has a platform prepared which by all indications truly would restore responsibility, accountability and trust in government. If only we remember to consider that other party.
Tamara Sargent