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“The last time a ‘Liberal’ introduced ‘Rae Days,’ it cost them the government”

TORONTO, Ont. – Finance Minister Dwight Duncan’s economic statement today shows the McGuinty Government has no real economic plan, says CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan.

“The last time a ‘Liberal’ introduced ‘Rae Days,’ it cost them the Government, says Ryan, adding that Dalton McGuinty and his Finance Minister should take a cue from our American neighbours and move to rescind corporate tax breaks and put limits on executive compensation. The people who were the architects of this crisis should shoulder that burden.”

In Last March’s budget, McGuinty and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan took an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ approach to the economy, giving substantial tax cuts to big business based on economic growth of over three per cent.

“We thought that was unrealistic then. Today we know it is,” says CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan.

By alluding today to future ‘Service Delivery Reviews’ and ‘tough choices,’ as well as floating trial balloons about ‘Dalton Days,’  the government undermines the advice of economists who believe governments have a clear stimulus role to play through enhancing public services during recessions

While tax cuts for business remain the order of the day, badly-needed services are being starved of crucial funds and resources. Children’s Aid Societies have already warned the services they provide are threatened by funding shortages, long-term care residents continue not to receive needed levels of care.
 
“It is wrong to expect children who are at risk, seniors, and ordinary, hard-working Ontarians to shoulder the burden of the government’s poor economic projections and tax giveaway to big business,” he adds.

“After forcing Ontario’s middle-income earners to pay for multi-billion dollar bank bailouts, the government is laying the ground to have the people who’ve already paid for this crisis pay again, through spending cuts and diminished services.”

Note to Reporters: A March 26, 2009 release following the Government’s budget has been included with this release, and is available on request.

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Contact:

Sid Ryan, President, CUPE Ontario:  416-209-0066
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications:  cell 416-821-6641

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