The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) today responded to Dalton McGuinty’s uninspiring speech from the Throne, noting that it was short on specifics, and offered no hope to Ontario’s manufacturing industry that has been hit the hardest by the high Canadian dollar.
 
“Dalton McGuinty spent the entire election campaign in a bubble, protected from any real debate on the issues that matter most to Ontarians,” said NCC president Peter Coleman.  “The Premier kept the focus on John Tory’s disastrous faith based education plan.  Ontario would have bee better off if the Premier had spent considerable time with business leaders and those working in the manufacturing sector.  Only then would McGuinty have a good understanding of what is needed to improve the financial health of the province.”

Ontario needs a concrete plan to make the provinces businesses more competitive.  Lower corporate tax rates should work side by side with private entities to provide creative solutions that will fix the crumbling infrastructure in this province.

“The newly created ‘Family Day’ is a rough blow for Ontario business owners who will now face higher operating costs in order to accommodate the new holiday,” said Coleman.  “And the newly announced day care program, masquerading as full day kindergarten classes will increase program costs for province.  Announcements like these do not provide any indication that the Premier has his priorities straight.”

Dalton McGuinty and the provincial government should pay close attention to the needs of Ontario’s businesses and manufacturing sectors.  This province does not need to become a nanny state, but rather a province that is in tune with the unique challenges faced by the industries that drive the Ontario economy.