Hudak's Voodoo Math: Conservatives desperate to row against tide of positive
economic news for Ontario

QUEEN'S PARK, May 10 /CNW/ - Tim Hudak and the Conservatives are closing their eyes to the economic recovery taking hold in Ontario. They have to, since they opposed every part of the McGuinty government's plan to get Ontario growing again. From infrastructure spending to partnering with the auto-sector, high-tech and natural resource industries - jobs are being created for Ontario families that Hudak and the Conservatives opposed.

Instead, Hudak issued a press release on Friday which relied on shifty numbers and incomplete information to form the basis of their flimsy cost-increase claims: relying on "expected increases" which haven't happened and projected municipal tax increases. They provide no citations, few sources and never once reference inflation.

Conservative math conveniently forgets that 93% of Ontario families received an income tax cut on January 1st. They neglect to mention the new Ontario Energy & Property Tax Credit, which will provide up to $260 a year to help with property taxes and energy costs for low- to middle-income Ontarians. Hudak won't say that in Budget 2009 the McGuinty Government doubled the Seniors Property Tax Grant to provide $500 for elderly homeowners. In addition, the new Ontario Sales Tax Credit will offer some $260 for qualifying low- and middle income families.

They are desperate to cook-up voodoo numbers because the facts point to an inconvenient truth for Hudak's Tories - that the McGuinty Government's economic policies are working and helping Ontario families:

"Conference Board Report Gives Ontario a Gold Star for Stimulus" The Conference Board of Canada found that the McGuinty Government's infrastructure spending helped preserve 70,000 jobs in the province and added almost a full percentage point to Ontario's economy in 2009.

(Source: ReNew Canada - Infrastructure Renewal Magazine - March 11th, 2010)

"Ontario's auto sector gets fresh boost" Report on Business highlights jobs returning to auto sector manufacturing in Ontario: 400 Jobs in Alliston (Honda), 700 added in Oshawa (GM), 800 in Woodstock (Toyota) and potentially hundreds more in related manufacturing parts and supplies. (Source: Globe and Mail - April 14th, 2010)

"Ontario has its foot on the accelerator as 2011 approaches" - "As the mid-point of 2010 nears, it is clear that the Ontario economy is starting to fire on all cylinders. Public sector spending is set to make a significant contribution to domestic demand in 2010, due in large part to a projected 16% increase in investment in public administration and on infrastructure projects." (Source: Daily Commercial News-Economic Snapshot - May 6th, 2010)

"Employment in Ontario increased by 41,000 in April, bringing gains since July 2009 to 109,000." Just this past week, the National Labour Force Survey shows Ontario leading the country in terms of employment gains. (Source: Statistics Canada - May 7th, 2010)

As Tim Hudak scrambles to paint a bleak doom-and-gloom picture of Ontario, the McGuinty government is going to continue to bring forward a positive plan including competitive tax reform to create jobs in Ontario.

"With Ontario now emerging from the global recession, it's clear that our plan is working to help create jobs," said MPP Yasir Naqvi. "The McGuinty government will continue to make the kinds of investments necessary to create jobs and help Ontario families succeed."

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