Ontario government continues to spiral deeper into its own fiscal fantasy world, says Huron-Bruce MPP

The following is a statement by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson after the Liberal government released its 2016 Fall Economic Statement Monday, Nov. 14:
 
"The Fall Economic Statement has proven that the Liberal government continues to remain disconnected from the people of Ontario. With the passing of every Liberal initiative, it seems that this government spirals deeper and deeper into its own fiscal fantasy world.
 
"The Liberals attempt to use distractions, but in the case of our communities in Huron-Bruce, the facts remain - Ontario is in a dire fiscal state and life continues to be unaffordable under this Liberal government.
 
"The Financial Accountability Officer has pointed to the fact that the Liberals are trying to artificially balance the budget in an election year, but it is obvious that we are only plunging deeper into deficit.
 
"In order to balance the budget in 2017-18, the Fall Economic Statement indicates the government has reduced its contingency reserve by $600-million and is seeking another $800-million through the one-time sale of government assets. It was also confirmed the province's net debt is set to rise by more than $64-billion by 2020-21 to a record $370-billion and that Ontario will continue to be the largest sub-national borrower on the planet.
 
"Ontarians' quality of life will continue to erode, and that means, for example, the high cost of electricity in Huron-Bruce will continue. Community pillars, such as Legions and arenas, will have to struggle with their electricity bills; while wait-times for life-changing surgeries continue to be a point of frustration.
 
"The Liberal government doesn't have a definitive plan to correct the path its mismanagement has dragged us into. The Liberals may have no choice but to explore the sale of additional government assets; implement higher taxes or more cuts to front-line services.

"Unfortunately, life is going to get harder under this Liberal government."