Dear Editor:
An open letter to Premier Doug Ford and the Government of Ontario.
I once heard David Suzuki say that we are on a fast moving train with a bridge out somewhere ahead of us and all we can do is argue about who gets the window seat (I paraphrase).
Mr. Ford, you are managing a future train wreck, and although you are doing better than the last government we managed to endure, I for one am tired of hearing about the “window seats.” The train wreck to which I am referring is the provincial debt. I understand we are the most indebted non-sovereign entity on the planet.
Assuming a provincial population of 7 million people, your proposed 9 billion deficit translates into almost $1,300 for every member of the Ontario population. Put that on top of the already over $20,000 debt for every Ontarian that is owed by the provincial government, along with all the accumulating interest, and other borrowing costs, and a looming train wreck beckons.
I propose a rather draconian approach to debt reduction, but far less draconian than hitting a borrowing wall.
The first part of the approach should reward any individual (regardless of status) who can identify an inefficiency that would save the province money (either in the form of a small percentage of the actual savings indefinitely, or a large one time lump sum of the savings). A system of protecting that individual also needs implementation.
The next part of the approach would be to mandate a minimum 10% across-the-board reduction in spending. Don’t do as you have been doing with piecemeal reductions where it seems politically expedient.
The third part might seem the most draconian to some individuals, but necessary to begin to reverse direction; that is to watch the individuals of influence who opt to download the reductions to either services or subordinates rather than their own pockets. You need to institute the notwithstanding clause and fire those individuals with absolutely no recourse for provincial remuneration for at least 10 years.
The fourth part is to institute legislation that makes it illegal (with severe consequences) for any future government to deficit finance.
I know it is easier to give into the whining and moaning from a society that is accustomed to suckling its nurture from the government’s mammary system, but it is high time to begin to wean the suckling beast.
Wayne Baker,
Wellington North