Munro slams Liberal throne speech

York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro expressed her disappointment at the lack of vision in yesterday's Liberal throne speech last week.

"Throne speeches traditionally set out a government's vision for how it will lead the province in the future" said Munro. "This throne speech is only a collection of cherry picked programs and plans."

The speech places the responsibility for paying for new ideas on other levels of government and private citizens. The Liberals offer no funds to municipalities - demanding that the federal government give them money through the GST. They offer no ideas to help the economy - or the industries that create jobs - struggling farmers, manufacturers and tourism affected by high taxes and the rising dollar, said Munro.

"Government cannot create jobs, but it can help create the conditions for prosperity," she said. "The Liberals have no plan to increase prosperity in Ontario, and their $10 minimum wage will be paid for entirely by small businesses trying to stay afloat."

The speech promises to encourage more people and businesses to buy food grown in Ontario, yet farmers are offered no relief from drastically falling prices for their commodities, such as pork or beef or vegetables, said Munro.

The speech contains no economic plan or plan for a secure energy supply. Ontario's economic growth has fallen behind all other provinces and is now expected to rank last this year according to the Royal Bank and CIBC, said Munro.

"Ontario needs a government with vision," she said.