McGuinty Misleads Ontarians Again on Caledonia

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today pointed to more evidence Dalton McGuinty will say anything to get elected and his ongoing refusal to be straightforward with Ontarians.

“For months we’ve asked about the cost of the Caledonia situation but the McGuinty Liberals have refused to be honest with Ontarians,” said Tory. “Dalton McGuinty promised the occupation would be over by winter. His ministers said the policing costs would be covered under existing budgets. We keep seeing more proof the word of the McGuinty Liberals means nothing.”

Global Television reported last night the Ontario government is giving the OPP $22 million in additional funding to offset costs from the Caledonia protest. This contradicts many of the public statements made by the McGuinty Liberals during the nine different occasions the PC Caucus has asked about this, including on May 15, 2006 when David Ramsay told the Legislature: "It is well within its [the OPP] capacity to deal with a situation such as this, as complex as it is. They have adequate resources to deal with this."

Since the 311-day Caledonia protest began, claims and promises by the McGuinty Liberals have almost been comical. Dalton McGuinty promised the protestors would be off the land by winter. His Community Safety Minister even called the occupation only a “symbolic one” and said all barriers are down (which they are not).

“While the McGuinty Liberals dodge, duck and deceive on Caledonia, residents there are still stuck in the lurch,” said Tory. “There is still no plan to deal with this situation and under Dalton McGuinty’s watch it looks like there will be millions more spent as the status quo is left in place indefinitely and respect for the rule of law continues to be ignored when it is convenient for the McGuinty Liberals to do so.”