QUEEN'S PARK – For Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, the year 2015 must mark a turnaround in rebuilding Ontario's jobs and economy. As MPP, Walker says his job will be to ensure that he continues to actively call on the provincial government to balance the budget and reduce debt.

"Fixing the fiscal mess created over the past decade is the first and most crucial step the Liberal government has to take in order to protect the public services we rely on every day, such as health care, education and infrastructure," he says. "I remain hopeful that the Premier and her cabinet will work more cooperatively with all parties and members of the House in the new year to turn things around so that my constituents and people from all corners of Ontario can feel more confident about their future with regard to jobs, energy rates, taxes and access to health care and education close to home."

Walker says he is convinced that school closures, sky-rocketing hydro rates and higher taxes will continue to be top of mind for families in Bruce and Grey as the province continues to cut services and programs due to soaring debt levels. He vows to ramp up his fight on all those fronts through prolific debate at Queen's Park.

"We have an obligation to the people who elected us to get things done, and for this reason my approach will always be one of non-partisan co-operation. However, I won't shy away from taking the Liberals to task if they don't get serious about turning a corner in 2015," he says.

Walker's agenda for 2015 includes:

- ensuring the new Markdale Hospital is built within the next four years
- bringing the new Marine Emergency Duties Training and Research facility to the Owen Sound campus of Georgian Colleges
- fighting to keep schools open in local communities
- advocating for expansion of Broadband services into Bruce and Grey
- pushing the government to review its Energy policy with the goal to lower rates
- challenging their plan to expand Green Energy into rural communities
- demanding better transparency on the Sauble Beach land claim
- pushing for stronger cooperation on the commercial fishing agreement
- holding rountables in the riding to discuss skilled trades opportunities‎, apprenticeship and youth employment

The legislature resumes its winter session on February 17th.

Source - Bill Walker constituency office