Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece called the government’s handling of the province’s finances “disgraceful” after Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk documented what he calls “a lengthy inventory of problems – some costing taxpayers billions of dollars” in her annual report released on Dec. 3.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece was left shaking his head.
“No government is perfect,” Pettapiece acknowledged, “but in light of this report, I don’t think any has been this inept.”
He continued: “In so many cases, the report shows a disgraceful abuse not only of the public purse, but also the public trust. After 12 years in power, is this the best the Liberals have to show for it?”
A number of the auditor’s findings were highlighted in a press release from Pettapiece’ office.
The province spent $2.36-billion in “corporate welfare to big businesses” over the last 10 years, without knowing whether these payments are creating long-term jobs, the release states.
Pettapeice also contends that between 2006 and 2014, hydro prices for homes and small businesses shot up 70 per cent, from 5.32 cents per kilowatt hour to 9.06 cents – an increase attributed in large part to “so-called ‘Global Adjustment Fees,’ which pay generating companies more than market price for power.”
Ontario is paying double for wind power and more than triple for solar power, compared to what American consumers pay, the auditor reported.
From 2009 to 2014, Ontario produced 5,160MW of hydro per year more than we need; that is enough to power the entire province of Manitoba.
There is no government plan to pay off current debt or future debt.
There is insufficient information about the quality of care that children’s aid societies are providing to children they serve.
Many elderly and disabled Ontarians are not getting home-care services on time; some are waiting over a year just for assessments.
In 2013, one in eight school buses, which carry 830,000 kids annually, was involved in a crash.
Pettapiece praised the auditor general for her report: “She has done the people of Ontario a great service,” he said. “Now we need the government to pay attention to her recommendations.”
In an introduction to her report, Lysyk stated, “I am sure it will come as no surprise when I say that there are numerous areas where improvements are needed to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services. It might, however, come as a surprise when I say that we also noted things that the government does get right. But auditors’ reports, by their nature, tend to focus on areas requiring improvements, and this report is no exception.”
The auditor general’s full report can be read online at http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_2015_en.htm.
