April 24, 2015
1742
Skyrocketing energy rates, new taxes, and crushing red tape have become the norm in Ontario.
When I was first elected MPP for Huron-Bruce, I set out to stand up for the taxpayers of this province. Over the past two terms, I have seen time and time again the fiscal mismanagement and hardship this Liberal government brings to Ontario. The new taxes the Liberals are implementing will cripple our economy by driving businesses out of the province, and will make it harder to live, work and raise a family.
The government's Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) is a wide-reaching payroll tax that will negatively affect businesses across Ontario and drive jobs out of the province. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, on behalf of its members, has come out strongly against the proposed ORPP, stating that 86 per cent of small business owners surveyed did not support the plan. What's more concerning is that 69 per cent of these owners would freeze or cut salaries and 53 per cent would reduce their number of employees if the plan were implemented.
A new survey of businesses, by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, also indicates that only 26 per cent of business owners believe they can shoulder the financial burden associated with the ORPP. In that survey, 44 per cent of respondents indicated they would reduce their current payroll or hire fewer employees in the future.
Ontario has lost more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs and we cannot afford to lose anymore. Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne's government is making it unattractive for business to come to, or stay in, this province.
Over and above having the most expensive energy prices in North America, another new tax that threatens the manufacturing and business sector is the Liberal's Carbon Tax. Many groups, including the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, have raised concerns regarding the carbon tax implementation.
"It will be critical that Ontario not act unilaterally," state the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. "Failure to act in parallel on a North American basis would put Ontario manufacturers at a significant competitive disadvantage."
Ontario simply cannot afford to drive any more investment out of this province. I have been a strong advocate against implementing a carbon tax, which will inevitably increase the cost of everything in Ontario, and contribute to losing high-paying jobs and manufacturing investment.
Over the past decade, the Liberals have wasted taxpayers' money for political gain (i.e. gas plants, Green Energy Act). They have failed on every file they have laid their hands on (i.e. eHealth, ORNGE, Mars, SAMS) and as a result, we will be paying for their mismanagement for generations to come. At this time, all Ontarians, including babies, will carry $23,000 of debt on their shoulders. This mismanagement must end.
I can assure the constituents of Huron-Bruce that every day I am representing them at Queen's Park, I am opposing these damaging policies, advocating for a better Ontario and doing everything in my power to stand up for the taxpayers of this province.
- MPP for Huron-Bruce Lisa Thompson
Lisa Thompson was elected MPP for Huron-Bruce in 2011 and re-elected in 2014. She is a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) Caucus and currently serves as the Critic for the Environment and Climate Change for the Official Opposition.
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