MPP Arnott tells McGuinty Government to help send strongest possible bid for Toronto Expo 2015

Taking the McGuinty Government to task for their continued pattern of blaming other Governments for their own shortcomings, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott issued a challenge to the Province to get behind the bid for Toronto Expo 2015.

Mr. Arnott is the Ontario PC Critic for the Minister of Tourism, and he made his statement in the Ontario Legislature on October 25th. The following is the text of his remarks in the House:

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): We know that the McGuinty Liberal Government has broken faith with the people of Ontario, that they will say anything to get elected, that they have broken at least 50 of their election promises, that they have no plan for the Province. And since the House resumed this Fall, their answers in Question Period repeatedly contradict the truth, and they are entirely abdicating Provincial leadership by blaming the federal Government for all of their shortcomings.

But surely, Mr. Speaker, they will recognize the definite economic benefits that Expo 2015 would bring to the entire Province, if Toronto’s bid meets with success. And surely, Mr. Speaker, they will work cooperatively with the City of Toronto and the Federal Government, instead of pointing a finger of blame, which will only cause the bid to lose momentum.

According to today’s press, Toronto Expo 2015 would generate 143,000 jobs in the City, and generate $13.5 billion in economic activity across the country. As the Member for Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey said: “The world’s fair would be a huge boost for the city.”

Not only that Mr. Speaker, hundreds of thousands of people coming to Toronto could be encouraged to visit communities and attractions across the entire Province, like Elora, St. Jacobs, Glen Williams, Norval and countless other places to go, to see, and to experience.

Obviously the taxpayers’ interest needs to be guaranteed, and all public projects need to be kept within a tightly controlled budget. But, let them set aside their partisan differences, prioritize this challenge, share the responsibility, and work together to the send the strongest possible bid for Toronto Expo 2015.

Let us recognize that the 21st Century belongs to Canada, and let us show our best to the world.