For immediate release:
March 29, 2004

Tory takes his seat in the Legislature

Conservative Leader demands deficit, health care answers from unresponsive Premier

Queens Park - While Conservative Leader - and newly elected MPP - John Tory worked to set a new respectful tone during his first day in the Legislative Chamber, Ontario's Premier worked to continue his old duck and cover strategy.

After taking his seat to a round of applause from all sides, Tory stated his intention to reject the antagonistic climate that has hampered the work of the Legislature in the past.

"I believe there is a better way. It is a way that doesn't rely on everyone holding hands and feeling better about each other-there is room within the better way for honest disagreements on policy, clear disagreements on policy, for firm questions seeking accountability-but it is a way which need not always appear as if it is some kind of a contest to produce the last woman or the last man standing." Tory pointed out. "By having our focus on that totally adversarial kind of approach, I think we make this place about us, too much about us, when in fact it should be about them, the people who sent us here to work together, to have honest debate, to get the best out of each other, to share ideas and, most of all, to get things done for them."

Then, in his first questions to the Premier, the Leader of the Official Opposition was quick to demand answers on behalf of the people of Ontario.

"My first question is to the Premier," Tory began. "While I assume we'll have a budget in a few weeks' time, given all the speculation, I wonder if the Premier could tell us his best estimate of the deficit for the current fiscal year as of today?"

As usual, the Premier responded by ignoring the question and finger-pointing to previous governments.

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring home to the leader of the official opposition the nature of the challenge we have been burdened with, as a result of his government's failing to properly address financial issues in the province of Ontario." McGuinty snarled. "The member will know that we have been saddled with a $5.6-billion deficit."

In his supplementary, Tory made clear the respectful tone he is working to create won't get in the way of holding McGuinty to account.

"I think the people at home must think they're watching the comedy channel, if you're giving me a lecture on accountability and transparency," Tory shot back. "I cannot imagine a situation in which you are the Premier and the president of the executive council of this province, you are the head of the government, you are the boss, and yet you cannot tell us what the deficit of this province is going to be two days before the end of the fiscal year.

"Let me try again. As the head of the government in this province, can you share us with today your best information as to the current size of the deficit for this year and what your plans are to reduce it going forward?"

The Premier again attempted to dance around the question, and then repeated the finger-pointing all over again when Tory pressed for answers on hospital funding.

Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett emerged from the afternoon session confident Opposition Leader, John Tory, would breathe new life into an oft-times hostile Legislature environment, and ensure Ontarians get the best out of their representatives at Queens Park.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629