Pettapiece calls budget a ‘pre-election spending spree’

TORONTO - Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece accused the Liberals of going on a “pre-election spending spree” with the recently-released provincial budget.

In a news release, Pettapiece  said the budget includes “billions in new spending promises” just weeks before an election.

“Fifteen years of Liberal government have brought us waste, scandal, mismanagement, massive debt and tax hikes,” noted Pettapiece. “This budget changes none of that. It just makes it worse.”

The MPP also stated the Liberals have “failed to act” on issues like hospital overcrowding and a lack of long-term care beds. With just ten weeks before election day, Pettapiece said he is skeptical of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s “sudden interest in fixing the problems” he says  her government created.

“This pre-election spending spree confirms that the Liberals can’t be trusted. They’ll say anything to stay in power,” he stated.

Pettapiece contends the budget raises taxes on families and small businesses to the tune of $2 billion over the next three years. He says this includes personal tax increases that will take $275 million out of peoples’ pockets, and tax hikes on over 20,000 businesses, while plunging Ontario nearly $7 billion into the red.

A press release from the Liberal caucus specifically disputed the Tories’ claim of a  $2 billion tax increase.

“Every single taxpayer will end up ahead after this budget. Eighty-three per cent will see taxes fall or hold steady and everyone will end up benefitting with additional money in their pocket from new programs,” the release states.

Pettapiece did welcome the government’s promise to invest $1.8 billion in developmental services.

April 13, 2018