For immediate release:
October 31, 2006

Dalton McGuinty Continues Passing the Buck
McGuinty must show conviction, resolve and determination on Caledonia, Tory says

(Queen’s Park) – Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today expressed his amazement that after 246 days of occupation in Caledonia, Dalton McGuinty still doesn’t know how much it is costing Ontario and is trying to shift all responsibility to Ottawa.

“It’s time for Dalton McGuinty to show some conviction, resolve and determination on Caledonia,” said Tory. “This government’s position seems to change every day.”

In the Legislature today Tory pointed to Dalton McGuinty’s rotating stances on Caledonia: “First they ignored the situation. Then they downplayed the situation. They said they weren’t going to negotiate until certain conditions were met but were back at the table within hours before the conditions were met. They said they’d compensate homeowners but four months later there’s nothing. They said they were working very well with the federal government but now say something else,” Tory said.

Dalton McGuinty refused to answer Tory’s questions today about whether he would keep his word about having the protestors off the land by winter and what the total cost of the Caledonia occupation has been to Ontario taxpayers. Tory pressed Dalton McGuinty to explain why his government is forcing the Hamilton Spectator to pay $6,000 to find out policing costs.

“It’s clear this government will say absolutely anything they think they can get away with and do as little as possible in the mean time. Dither, deflect and delay,” Tory said. “Dalton McGuinty should be finding out an accurate estimate of the policing costs from the OPP and report back to the House and the people of Ontario immediately.”
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