Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott is taking on a new critic portfolio and has been named economic development critic for the Conservatives.
Arnott, a veteran MPP, was re-elected in the riding in the June 12 provincial election. A cornerstone of his campaign was the Liberal promise to increase the deficit to create jobs. The Liberals, who won a majority in the election, are expected to re-introduce the budget that triggered the election.
The ruling Liberals are facing a $12.5 billion deficit and have vowed to balance the books by 2017-2018.
However, according to Arnott, how that will be achieved remains to be seen. He pointed to a negative financial rating facing the province based on figures contained in the Liberal budget.
“They’ll re-introduce the same budget, but I suspect there will be some changes,” Arnott told the Advertiser in a telephone interview from his Toronto office. “Economists believe it (credit rating) could be weakened.”
Arnott also wants to hold the government to account for a budget promise to invest some $14 billion in rural infrastructure. The Liberals have promised to spend $29 billion over the next decade to fund public transit and transportation projects with the remainder going to the Toronto and Hamilton area.
Arnott’s appointment was made by interim Conservative leader Jim Wilson.
“I’m looking forward to putting my experience to work in this important new responsibility,” Arnott said in a press release.
Ontario’s unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 7.3% percent, according to Statistics Canada. The province’s jobless number has been higher than Canada’s national average unemployment rate for over seven years.
“Clearly, the Liberal government’s jobs strategy, if it has one, isn’t working,” Arnott said.
As critic, it will be Arnott’s role to hold the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure accountable in the Ontario Legislature, and at the same time propose constructive suggestions to strengthen Ontario’s economy.
He will also monitor the government’s infrastructure spending.
“I want to ensure that there is honesty and fairness in the process, that the Ontario taxpayer is getting good value for money, that rural Ontario receives its fair share of available funding, and that sensible priorities are set.”
Arnott was the critic for intergovernmental affairs and research and development under the last government.
“My commitment to the people of Wellington-Halton Hills continues to be my first priority,” he concluded.
The budget is expected to be re-introduced on July 14.
