Hudak should pick up tab for $250,000 stunt

Cuts down 620 trees in latest childish prank

QUEEN'S PARK, Dec. 7 /CNW/ - Conservative Leader Tim Hudak's latest stunt will cost taxpayers $250,000 and kill 620 trees, says Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi. Given the global economic and environmental situation, Hudak should reimburse taxpayers for the cost and plant trees to replace those that will have to be cut down.

Hudak's Conservatives are planning to table 500,000 amendments to the McGuinty Government's tax reform package currently going through Legislative Committee. Hudak's stunt means the Legislative Assembly needs to make 10 photocopies of every single amendment, or 5 million photocopies.

At an estimated 5 cents a copy for labour, equipment, ink and paper, that would mean a $250,000 bill to Ontario taxpayers.

"These amendments are for show, not substance," said Naqvi. " Tim Hudak and Conservatives should pick up the tab for this latest childish prank. Taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for Hudak's juvenile games."

In addition to the cost to taxpayers, 620 trees will be cut down to produce the paper the amendments are printed on. According to conservatree.org, one tree can produce 8,000 sheets of paper. This Conservative prank will require at least 5 million sheets of paper, or over 620 trees. One hectare of forest typically supports 400 trees. This Conservative stunt is the equivalent of cutting three football fields' worth of trees.

"After all this taxpayer money is wasted and trees cut down, Tim Hudak still won't commit to undoing a single tax change," continued Naqvi. "If he really respects taxpayer dollars, he should pick up the tab for his childish prank."

For further information: Andrew Teliszewsky, [email protected], [phone]