by Karen Howlett

by Louisa D’Amato

Ontarians can claim an important victory today after Speaker Dave Levac censured the Minister of Energy, Chris Bentley, for not providing all the documents associated with the cancellation of the Oakville and Mississauga gas power plants.   A point of privilege brought forward by Cambridge MPP Rob Leone, was upheld after the Speaker found the minister concealed documents requested by the Standing Committee on Estimates.   This is the first step in the process of finding Minister Bentley in contempt of the Legislature.

“The right to order production of documents is fundamental to and necessary for the proper functioning of the assembly,“ said Levac, in a ruling that is a strong indictment of the McGuinty Government.  It would mark the first time in the history of the province that an Ontario cabinet minister was found to be in contempt.

“What is the McGuinty government hiding?” said Leone. “They’ve gone to unprecedented lengths to conceal these documents.  Ontarians expect accountability from their government.  The obstruction must end.  We need to get to the bottom of the mess at the Ministry of Energy.”

Earlier this year, the minister told the Estimates committee that the Liberal campaign team made a decision to close the Mississauga Power plant in order to win five seats in the 2011 provincial election.  The decision cost taxpayers $190 million and prompted the committee to request all materials related to the closure and relocation of the plant.  However,  any attempts to get further information, were stymied.  Since May, the government has consistently stonewalled the committee and prevented it from getting the information it requested.

PC energy critic Vic Fedeli feels this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“The $190 million figure they’ve put on their politically-motivated Mississauga cancellation is only a starting point.  We know it will cost $300 million or more for the new sole-sourced site in Lambton.  How do we know this is the most cost-effective solution for taxpayers?  That’s why we need these documents, and need them now.”

Leone says it is clear that a majority of MPPs are in agreement that these documents need to be made public as soon as possible.  This is just another example of a government that is hiding from the truth.  The PC Caucus continues to push for more information on ORNGE and eHealth. These scandals cost billions of dollars with many questions still unanswered.

“It looks like contempt to me,” said Leone.  “There is no limit to what the McGuinty government will do to cling to power.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they prorogued the Legislature in order to keep us from knowing the truth.”

For more information please contact

Cal MacLellan | Office of Rob Leone, MPP |cal.maclellan@pc.ola.org | 416.325.8451

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Queen’s Park – Ontario can again have confidence in a world-class health care system, but only if we build on its existing strengths while closing down costly bureaucracies and using the money to directly serve patient needs, Ontario PC MPP Rob Leone said today.

Leone’s comments follow Tim Hudak’s release of Paths to Prosperity: Patient-Centred Health Care – the PCs’ latest white paper on bold ideas to tackle the roots of the problems we face.

The document is already generating major debate, just like the prior two PC papers on affordable energy and labour law reform. Its focus is on de-layering middle management and empowering local health professionals to treat people – not push paper. It also proposes to give patients a single pathway through the system – not a run-around through multiple layers of bureaucracy.

“We need to build on what works,” Leone said. “That means recognizing that Local Health Integration Networks have failed to integrate care, and building off existing infrastructure and capacity. We propose to do this by putting health hubs – run by volunteer, skills-based boards and linked to regional hospitals – in charge of local planning, funding and service.”

But Monday, the government again reflexively leapt to the defence of LHINs – despite overwhelming evidence that they are a costly failure. Health Minister Deb Matthews said, “We’ve come a long way when it comes to providing better care for patients.”

“Let’s review the facts,” Leone said, citing annual reports released only in July on the performance of all 14 LHINs. “Every one of them failed to attain most provincially-set targets. The numbers are dismal, adding up to a 77 per cent failure rate across the entire network.”

As evidence, the Mississauga-Halton LHIN has only met six of its 14 health targets, resulting in an unacceptable 43 per cent success rate.

Leone said we need to break down silos like LHINs and Community Care Access Centres, clearing away the separate layers patients now have to deal with, and giving them access to a seamless array of services in their regions. “To continue tinkering with the system is like shoring up a foundation with a two-by-four: It may hang for a while, but it’s bound to collapse.”

We also need to remember that our health care system is for providing care, not for creating or sustaining well-paid managerial jobs for its own sake, Leone said, “especially when the system can be managed so much better through long overdue and sensible reforms like these.”

For further information, contact:

Cal MacLellan | Office of Rob Leone, MPP | cal.maclellan@pc.ola.org | 416.325.8451

After nine years of reckless overspending by the McGuinty Liberals, the wishing well for unions has run dry and urgent action is needed to protect valuable services, including classroom education, Ontario PC MPP for Cambridge Rob Leone said today.

“These last nine years, the McGuinty Liberals have dropped money bombs any time a problem arises or a decision needs to be made,” Leone said. “This has solved nothing, creating only collateral damage. Now Ontario is hurtling towards a potential $411-billion debt.”

Liberal overspending has also put the start of the school year at risk, Leone continued. “Public sector unions became accustomed to going to the McGuinty wishing well and receiving whatever they demanded. Now the well is drying up and the government can’t buy labour peace.”

Since 2003, spending on education has increased by $8.5 billion, despite the fact there are 250,000 fewer students. The majority of the money has paid for an overall 30 per cent increase in teachers’ salaries, which now average $83,500 – more than double the average Ontarians’ salary.

“What’s most troubling is that student outcomes have actually declined, according to evaluations from independent think tanks like the Fraser Institute,” Leone stated. “More money spent with nothing to show for it. Let’s add this to the growing list that includes spending $190 million to cancel a gas plant and bonus pay for managers who simply had to show up to work.”

Leone also noted that economists, credit rating agencies and business associations have repeatedly warned the Liberals over the years to rein in their spending or face the economic consequences. “Just a short time ago, Ontario was the economic engine of Canada. Now we’re a have-not province that has suffered three credit rating downgrades in the last few years.”

Ontario can and will do better, Leone continued. “That’s why Tim Hudak and the Ontario PCs have been tabling bold ideas to help the economy grow, including reforms to the province’s arbitration system, labour laws, energy policies, and more.”

When the Legislature resumes next week, the PCs will be asking tough questions to ensure the Liberals’ teacher union bill actually has teeth and no loopholes.

“The McGuinty Liberals need to realize they’re not running a wishing well. They’re running a province – and right now, they’re running it into the ground,” Leone concluded. “It’s time for a new approach that reins in spending and encourages job growth with sound economic policies.”

July 13, 2012

The Standing Committee on General Government continued public consultations of the Aggregate Resource Act in the Waterloo Region earlier this week. Cambridge MPP Rob Leone was in attendance and was pleased the committee agreed to make time to hear local voices.

“I fought hard to ensure that ARA hearings were made accessible to the people of Cambridge and North Dumfries and I’m happy the Committee on General Government took the time to ensure the concerns of the people in our community were heard”.

Leone felt those responsible for conducting the ARA review needed to pay a visit to some of the gravel pits in and around the Waterloo Region. “It’s not enough to make decisions at Queen’s Park without traveling to the community and witnessing these concerns first hand.”

Leone also outlined the importance of public consultation and re-affirmed his party’s stance that community input and local decision making are essential for good government. “The committee has a responsibility to strike a balance between ensuring enough aggregate is available to build our schools, roads and hospitals, while at the same time listening to environmental and community concerns”

The all-party government committee had previously made a stop in Orangeville before coming to Waterloo Region. They will travel to Ottawa on July 16^th and Sudbury the following day to conclude the community consultation portion of their business. Although the deadline for formal written submissions to the Aggregate Resource Act is July 17th, Leone welcomes questions, comments and concerns. 

You can contact his office at 519-623-5852 or by e-mail at rob.leone@pc.ola.org. 

You may also mail his constituency office at 498 Eagle Street N, Cambridge, ON, N3H 1C2.