Budget cuts pick on the most vulnerable

May 9, 2019

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner made the following statement after the Budget Estimates were released:

“We now see the effect of bringing the Liberals’ (un)Fair Hydro Plan onto the books. By adopting these artificial subsidies as their own, the Conservatives lose any claim to fiscal responsibility.

And to make matters worse, it is the most vulnerable amongst us who will pay the price.

The cuts to children’s protection, women’s issues and to Indigenous affairs would not be necessary if this government had the courage to cancel the (un)Fair Hydro Plan that costs us over $2.5 billion per year and disproportionately benefits the wealthy.

The Premier’s loyalty to big business and wealthy lobbyists prevents him from addressing Ontario’s revenue shortfall, which sees us taking in two thousand dollars less per capita than the provincial average.

Let’s not forget that Ford gave the wealthiest income earners a tax cut in the Fall Economic Statement at a time when Ontario is working to restore fiscal balance.

Instead of nickel and diming the most vulnerable, the Premier should put an end to the electricity, tax and resource giveaways to the wealthy.”

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