| Whipped
Vote Against Making Ontario Debt Free
“Another Broken Liberal Promise”
The Ontario Liberals have broken yet another promise
by voting down a resolution calling for a long term
debt retirement plan, says Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted
Arnott.
The
debate on Mr. Arnott’s resolution took place in the
Ontario Legislature on December 11th, 2003. His resolution
stated that the Government of Ontario should commit
itself to a 25-year debt retirement plan, articulating
five-year interim targets, such that the province of
Ontario is free from its net debt by the fiscal year
2029-30.
“I
am very disappointed with the Liberal Members. Private
Member’s business is not supposed to be whipped, MPPs
are supposed to be free to vote according to their conscience
and for their constituents. Despite the fact that I
presented my resolution in a way that invited the support
of all members, the Liberals took the partisan road.
It appears that they were whipped to vote against paying
down the debt,” Mr. Arnott said.
“In
1997 when I first brought this initiative to the Legislature,
it enjoyed support from all parties and my resolution
passed with a unanimous voice vote. There were Liberal
members who spoke in favour of it at that time. Take
for example the MPP for York West, Mario Sergio. He
spoke strongly in favour of it then, now he’s against
it,” Mr. Arnott added. “By whipping the vote and changing
their tune, the Liberals have undermined and damaged
their credibility. This proves they are no more supportive
of empowering the Private Member than Jean Chretien.”
In
his speech to the Legislature, Mr. Arnott cited the
Liberals’ election platform in which they committed
to debt reduction.
"…this
is yet another broken Liberal promise. You can add that
to the list…This, to me, is a complete abdication of
responsibility. I’m very, very disappointed. I’m concerned
about the future generations of this province…” Mr.
Arnott told the House.
“I
received very strong support from my Conservative colleagues
and I thank Elizabeth Witmer, Norm Miller, and John
Baird very much for their excellent speeches in the
House in support of my resolution,” Mr. Arnott concluded.
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