MPP McNaughton: Life is Harder Under the Wynne Liberals

36,000 Jobs Lost in July, Including 18,900 Full-Time Jobs

QUEEN’S PARK – This morning, Ontario PC Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure Critic Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) discussed Ontario’s disappointing job numbers, which were released by Stats Canada today.

“Last month, Ontario lost 36,000 jobs, with full-time workers making up the bulk of these positions. Unfortunately for these individuals, the Wynne Liberals continue to get the fundamentals wrong and this is costing jobs and hurting our provincial economy,” said McNaughton. “I continually hear from job creators, entrepreneurs, innovators, and families all across Ontario that sky-high hydro rates, layers of unnecessary red tape, and now taxes on top of taxes are all costing us good jobs right here in Ontario.”

In addition to the key fundamentals highlighted, McNaughton also encouraged the government to improve their transparency and accountability. McNaughton has written three separate letters requesting Ontario Minister of Economic Development & Growth Brad Duguid to come clean and release all information related to corporate grants funded by his ministry.

“According to the province’s blue-ribbon report on business support programs, Ontario spends nearly $5 billion per year on various direct and indirect business subsidies and tax credits,” said McNaughton. “Taxpayers deserve to know who this money is going to, and what they’re getting in return for these so-called ‘investments.’ I’ve written to Minister Brad Duguid three times asking him to come clean and release the information on all corporate and business grants made by his Ministry since 2004.”

Previously both the Auditor General and the Financial Accountability Officer have reported being stonewalled from accessing important financial information. Likewise, it has now been over 200 days since McNaughton first wrote Minister Brad Duguid and requested access to this information.

“Why are Minister Brad Duguid and Premier Kathleen Wynne refusing to answer my simple request? Do they think that the taxpayers of Ontario are not entitled to know how and where their tax dollars are being spent?” questioned McNaughton. “Brad Duguid should immediately come clean and release the details for the billions of dollars in government supports coming from his Ministry.”

Along with urging the government to get the fundaments right, McNaughton stated that he will continue to press the province for answers to his previous requests for openness and transparency.

“With sky-high hydro rates, layers and layers of job-choking red tape, a growing tax burden and lackluster wage growth, it’s easy to see why last month, Ontario lost 36,000 jobs,” summarized McNaughton. “It’s clear that life is harder under the Wynne Liberals.”