Budget leaks a serious matter, says MPP Ted Arnott
Queen's Park – On the day of the presentation of the 2008-2009 Provincial Budget, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP again admonished the McGuinty Liberal Government for leaking parts of the budget days in advance.
“At one time in our parliamentary system, budget leaks would have been cause for a Minister's resignation,” observed Mr. Arnott. “This is a very serious matter.”
Budget secrecy is a longstanding parliamentary convention, and at least one Minister of Finance (Chancellor of the Exchequer) at Westminster resigned when this convention was breached.
The March 17 th edition of the Toronto Star contained a story on its front page that appeared to reveal an initiative in the upcoming 2008-2009 Budget.
“Someone with inside knowledge seems to have leaked this information to the Star reporter in an effort to achieve favourable news coverage for the Government,” said Mr. Arnott.
Mr. Arnott raised this issue in the Legislature on March 20th after writing a letter to the Speaker of the Ontario Legislature.
To view a copy of MPP Ted Arnott's speach to the Hansard, please click here
|
