For immediate release:
March 23, 2007

Ontario budget confirms bad news for Caledonia
2007/2008 budget a missed opportunity to adequately fulfill compensation promise

Caledonia—Ontario’s 2007-2008 budget is the latest example of the McGuinty government abandoning Caledonia and Haldimand County, MPP Toby Barrett said today in Caledonia.

“When word got out that the much vaunted compensation promise would translate into about five bucks a day, Caledonia homeowners were furious – I received over 100 e-mails from angry residents,” said Barrett.  “Yesterday’s budget is more of the same – Dalton McGuinty is collecting about $22 billion more in taxes than he was in 2003, yet he was only able to find pocket change for area residents.”

This week, the McGuinty government announced that selected homeowners from selected streets might be eligible for a small compensation package, if they apply.  When the compensation package was met with near unanimous condemnation, Barrett felt the Ontario government could come back with a better offer in the budget.

“We’re talking about law-abiding, taxpaying citizens, who – through no fault of their own – have experienced a year of fear, intimidation, violence, road blocks, power outages, and lost property values,” Barrett went on.  “I speculate how much of Dalton McGuinty’s $22 billion windfall came from our area – I really am disappointed with yesterday’s missed opportunity to compensate Caledonia.

“This year’s budget is just the latest example of a Premier throwing money around, without a plan, and without expecting real results,” Barrett concluded.  “Of any group, Caledonia residents need financial assistance, and they need real results – they are getting neither from Dalton McGuinty.”

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For more information, please contac
t MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446 or
1-800-903-8629