McGuinty changes the channel

3 posts / 0 new

Fri, 2009-01-30 23:14

Wellington

Ontario Premier says that the provincial goverrnment will "dramatically shift gears from reinvesting in public services to more business-friendly goals of pushing economic growth and competitiveness."

Back in December, Hugh Mackenzie of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives noted that "Thanks to the Harris governments' tax cuts, Ontario's annual fiscal capacity is now $16 billion lower, even after taking into account the additional revenue raised by Ontario's health premium. The impact of that foregone revenue on the constrained political choices currently faced by Ontario is profound."

McGuinty is clearly starting to position the 2009 Ontario Budget. What should be the priorities for a progressive response? Where is it most important to hold the government's feet to the fire?

Sat, 2009-01-31 03:42

saga

Reduce corporate welfare.

Sat, 2009-01-31 05:49

George Victor

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And yet, last I heard, the province is going to extend the 407 toll road east to connect to the 115 but is loudly announcing that it will be retained as a public highway (just to emphasize the amount of public anger over the PC sellout of 407 and its skyrocketing toll rates.)

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"McGuinty is clearly starting to position the 2009 Ontario Budget. What should be the priorities for a progressive response? Where is it most important to hold the government's feet to the fire? "

Surely, we should point out that the bloody highway is not needed. As one who occasionally takes the route east to Peterborough, it's obvious that only a widening of the route for a few kilometres east of the eastern end of the toll highway would satisfy commuter needs in the bedroom communities.

The preoccupation with roads must shift to concern for health care - hospitals and the ancillary institutions that can assist - long term care facilities to ease crowding in acute care hospitals, home care expansion including additions to aid the physically challenged. A real program for the training and placement of nurse practitioners. Increased dental care for the indigent.

And while they are talking business...stimulus for the manufacture of a truly Canadian automobile. Something with four wheels, a reliable motor and cheap like borscht. Something for the ma and pa Canadian investor, like homegrown wind turbines and their ability to generate both electricity and investment returns. Green stuff.

Oh, and fulfilling his promise to upload responsibility for social housing from the backs of municipalities, another one of the many Harris gifts aimed at forcing us to go private - in everything. Like Steve's objective up Ottawa way.

End of history stuff. Even while public money bails out the greedy bastards. It should be a no-brainer to start with that fact. Public investment requires returns on that investment.