For Immediate Release
March 20, 2007

McGuinty has lots of money for everyone except Caledonia residents

Tory says McGuinty trying to pass the buck after his ‘pathetic’ compensation package

(Queen’s Park) – Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said Dalton McGuinty is trying to pass the buck and deflect attention from his completely inadequate compensation package for Caledonia residents.

“I think it’s an embarrassment. I think it’s pathetic,” said Tory. “Caledonia residents have been punished by a complete lack of leadership by Dalton McGuinty. They have seen a complete disrespect for the rule of law and Dalton McGuinty’s compensation package is a slap in the face.”

In the Legislature today, Tory cited the many angry emails the PC Caucus has received about the compensation package. He told the story of Jack Dancey, a 91-year-old World War II veteran who has been trying to sell his Caledonia house for months and who believes he’ll be lucky to get $150,000 for a $250,000 house.

In response, Dalton McGuinty refused to commit to any more compensation to Caledonia residents than the $430,000 announced yesterday. Here are some of the ways Dalton McGuinty has spent money instead:

• Tom Parkinson, former CEO of Hydro One, was paid over $5 million to quit;
• Jane Stewart, who represented the provincial government in negotiations during the occupation, is getting paid $330,000; and,
• Dalton McGuinty is paying lawyers unknown millions to fight the parents of children with autism.
  

“The damage this conflict has caused is taking a toll on people in Caledonia both emotionally and financially,” said Tory. “It is a sad statement of Dalton McGuinty’s priorities that he can fund $5 million for a Hydro CEO who supposedly quit, but he can only fund $5.21 a day for long suffering residents of Caledonia. And to rub salt in their wounds, Dalton McGuinty won’t provide compensation for lost property values for the people caught in the middle of this dispute.”   

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For more information:
Toby Barrett: (416) 325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629
Brendan Howe: (416) 325-0412