Tory says Throne Speech takes 'don't worry be happy' approach

Ontario PC Leader John Tory said the McGuinty government Throne Speech failed to take the province's economic challenges seriously with a real plan to protect existing jobs and attract new ones.

"This Throne Speech is more empty words from a government without a compass," said Tory. "There is no sign Dalton McGuinty is taking the warning signs about our economy seriously.

"This Throne Speech should have included a real economic plan that would help protect and create jobs. It should show some urgency when it comes to the economy. Instead it contains more empty statements," said Tory.

Tory said McGuinty's policies of high taxes, high electricity prices and runaway spending have chased 153,500 well paying manufacturing jobs out of Ontario since the beginning of 2005 and weakened the competitiveness of the province's business sector.

All five of the major banks and the Conference Board have slashed projections for 2008 growth since the release of Ontario's Budget, with declines ranging from 0.6 to 1.3 percentage points. Several projections also expect Ontario to be last or near-last among all the provinces in economic growth.

"The 'Don't Worry Be Happy' approach to Ontario's economy has to end. Dalton McGuinty is going to have to get serious," said Tory. "It's time to listen to economists and the people who drive our economy - the job creators. I've heard them loud and clear as I've travelled across Ontario. It's time Dalton McGuinty heard them too and started reducing taxes, cutting red tape and fixing the energy supply."