For immediate release:
December 10, 2009

Barrett catches government
flat-footed on highway tax

Queen’s Park – The day after forcing the largest sales tax increase in the history of Ontario, McGuinty Cabinet Ministers appeared confused by questions in the Legislature on plans to implement tolls on public highways.

“You know, the ink wasn’t even dry on your greedy HST tax grab before you announced you’re thinking about slapping new taxes and tolls on public highways,” Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett stated during question period. “What makes you think you can get away with this one?”

When Deputy Premier Dwight Duncan asserted that, “I don’t know where he gets that from”, Barrett instructed government to talk to their own Environment Minister.

“I know specifically where I got this one; it’s a quote in the Toronto Star,” Barrett reported. “It’s from your environment minister, Gerretsen, when he was asked about slapping fees on existing public highways, ‘We are open to anything that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions’.”

When Barrett reiterated his question, the Deputy Premier declined a second attempt at providing an answer, tossed the hot potato to Transportation Minister Jim Bradley. In contrast to the Environment Minister’s previous comments, Bradley stated the exact opposite.

“I have clearly said, when asked—our position has consistently been that we have no plans to toll existing highways in the province of Ontario,” Bradley replied.

Barrett later commented that while government appears unsure of its position, the Opposition is clear.

“Why am I opposed to new road-tolls?” Barrett asked. “Bringing in additional fees, taxes or tolls on existing highways in Ontario will be inconsequential as far as any impact on CO2 emissions around the world.”

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

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
Thursday 10 December 2009

Highway tolls

Mr. Toby Barrett: My question is to the acting Premier. You know, the ink wasn’t even dry on your greedy HST tax grab before you announced you’re thinking about slapping new taxes and tolls on public highways. What makes you think you can get away with this one

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I don’t know where he gets that from. I think that that is not—

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: It’s a Tory story.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: It’s just a Tory story, devoid of fact. I thought the Minister of Transportation spoke about Highway 407. It’s a tolled highway. When the extension proceeds, it will.

That party has offered no solutions. That party continues to rely on empty rhetoric, on stunts in the Legislature, on yelling and shouting. The people of Ontario want more than that. They want a plan that recognizes the bright future of this province, that recognizes the challenging times; we’ve come through. Our Premier has shown leadership and integrity. We’re committed to building the jobs, to building the future that all Ontarians demand and deserve.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Toby Barrett: I know specifically where I got this one; it’s a quote in the Toronto Star. It’s from your environment minister, Gerretsen, when he was asked about slapping fees on existing public highways. “We are open to anything that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions”. Ontario families already pay taxes at the pumps. Dalton McGuinty’s HST tax on everything will make those families pay even more to fill up. Now you want them to pay even more with talk of fees. Again, what makes you guys think that you can get away with this?

Interjection: Give it to Jim.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: To the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. James J. Bradley: I should first of all remind the member, through the Speaker, that the deal of the century was negotiated by the Conservative government. When they were faced with a deficit they decided they would sell Highway 407 at a bargain basement price to balance it. Then they allowed Highway 407 to charge whatever price they wanted for their tolls. Then they allowed them to take people’s licences away. They signed the deal of the century, and now you ask that question? I have clearly said, when asked—our position has consistently been that we have no plans to toll existing highways in the province of Ontario. I don’t know how much clearer I can be than that. I know that you are concerned because this government may be looking at reducing emissions of some kind, and your government—