Ontario Liberal plan to strengthen our province by strengthening our democracy
Dalton McGuinty, MPP
Leader of the Official Opposition and Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
Only Ontario Liberals have a plan to deliver real, positive change.
Our plan, released well in advance of the election, is bold, detailed, and practical.
A key part of the Ontario Liberal plan is improving our system of democracy. It is a plan that will result in government that works for you.
It’s time to make public institutions work for everyone. It’s time for a change from the Eves approach, which has denigrated and eroded public services and institutions, while promoting narrow private interests.
Our plan means real respect for your tax dollars, bringing an end to unconstitutional budgets, and making the budget more accountable by giving the Provincial Auditor the power to audit hospitals, universities, and all major institutions funded by the government.
We will slap a ban on partisan government advertising, requiring the Provincial Auditor to review all ads for partisanship before they hit the airwaves.
We will reduce the influence of money on politics by imposing strict, low limits on how much political parties can raise and spend all year round, including during campaigns and leadership contests.
We will ensure your voice is heard through the use of Citizens’ Juries to make recommendations to government on major issues.
The Ontario Liberal plan will mean more power for your democratically-elected representatives by making sure private members of the Legislature are free to criticize and vote against government bills, with the exception of campaign promises and non-confidence matters.
We will make cabinet ministers accountable by docking their salaries when they skip Question Period.
Our plan will mean fixed dates for elections, ensuring elections happen every four years on the same date, eliminating the sort of wasteful spending and posturing we’re seeing now from the Eves government.
Higher voter turnout is a key part of our plan. We will increase voter turnout by at least 10 per cent by enumerating voters and making Internet voting available.
In contrast, the Eves Tories have a tired, cynical approach, which has seen the Legislature seldom sit, and a television “infomercial” replace the budget.
In addition to a more democratic government, the Ontario Liberal plan will also mean a stronger economy that achieves our potential, excellence in public education, growing strong communities, and better health care.
Our plan is fiscally responsible. Top financial experts have signed off on our plan. We have submitted our plan to a forensic accountant and two senior economists, all working independently. They confirmed that our platform and the economic assumptions underpinning it are prudent and responsible.
In contrast, top financial institutions tell us that the Eves Tories are hiding a deficit as high as $2 billion, while at the same time offering $3.2 billion more in tax giveaways to corporations and $500 million for private schools. The Eves government believes in private, two-tier health care, with access for those who can afford to pay more.
Ontario Liberals will strengthen our province by strengthening our democracy.
Our initiatives will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while making their government more responsive, accountable and effective.
Only theOntario Liberals have the vision, the plan, and the new perspective needed to deliver real, positive change.
