Joyce Savoline - Your Burlington MPP

QUEEN’S PARK – In a recent column in the Flamborough Review titled “Queen’s Park: Eco Talk” MPP Ted McMeekin attempted to absolve the McGuinty-Liberal Government from the disastrous implementation of the eco tax.

In the article McMeekin attempts to lay the blame on the private sector, saying: “While provincial legislation does not require an ‘eco fee’ for consumers, some manufacturers chose to pass the cost of doing business on to consumers by identifying the cost as a separate ‘eco fee’.”

It is naive for McMeekin to think that consumers would not see a rise in prices after the Liberal’s forced this tax on producers.

In fact, publically reported leaks from the Liberal Cabinet now confirm that McGuinty’s own Ministers were warning him as early as 2008 that this tax scheme would lead to higher taxes and a public backlash.

What this proves is that McGuinty and McMeekin cannot claim to have been caught off guard by the disastrous implementation of the new tax. Nor can they claim that the eco tax program was an industry-led initiative. There can be no doubt that the eco tax was born at the Liberal cabinet table – and was, in fact, championed by the Premier himself.

QUOTES:

“McMeekin’s own Liberal colleagues warned that this tax scheme would lead to higher taxes and public backlash. This is just one more example of the Liberals failing to take responsibility for their tax and spend policies.” -Joyce Savoline, MPP Burlington

“The Liberal’s seem to believe they have a monopoly on caring for the environment. They do not. They do seem to have a monopoly on botched attempts at protecting it. Their eco tax debacle demonstrates a complete lack of leadership from this tired Government. Furthermore, their blame game with the private sector only continues to breed mistrust amongst the public, which they are elected to serve. Not a record to be proud of.” -Joyce Savoline, MPP Burlington

QUICK FACTS:

“The senior minister who led the charge warned the premier the policy could spark a backlash if eco fees were slapped directly on products. ‘We can’t do this fast enough,’ countered McGuinty.”
–Toronto Star (August 5, 2010)

For more information contact:
Joyce Savoline, MPP
(416) 325-5362