Today, Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville, said Statistics Canada’s latest figures prove once again that life is getting more unaffordable for families and seniors in Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario while the cost of living continues to rise.
Statistics Canada released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for November 2010, which show Ontario recorded the largest increase in consumer prices across Canada. For example, the cost of electricity is up 14.7 percent over the same month last year. The cost of natural gas is up 15.9 percent. Drivers are paying 10.6 percent more for gasoline than a year ago. And auto insurance in Ontario is also up some 6.8 percent.
Ontario families already pay more for auto insurance and tuition than anywhere else in Canada. They also have among the highest hydro rates. With Dalton McGuinty’s expensive energy experiments, his HST tax grab on gasoline, electricity and natural gas, and his auto insurance reforms that failed to address the root causes behind skyrocketing auto premiums, it’s no wonder why Ontario families and seniors are seeing prices rise here faster than anywhere else in Canada.
QUOTES:
“Ontario families didn’t need Statistics Canada to tell them what they already know – that they’re paying the highest price for auto insurance in the country and among the highest for hydro.” --Steve Clark, Ontario PC MPP for Leeds-Grenville
“Ontario families, seniors and small business owners simply can not afford Dalton McGuinty any more. An Ontario PC Government will deliver a plan to provide them with the real tax relief they deserve.” --Steve Clark, Ontario PC MPP for Leeds-Grenville
QUICK FACTS:
Since coming to office, Dalton McGuinty has brought in the largest income tax increase (Health Tax) and the largest sales tax increase (HST) in Ontario history.
Ontario’s hydro rates are among the highest in Canada. Rates have increased 75 percent under Dalton McGuinty, over 100 percent for families with a smart meter. And hydro bills are expected to skyrocket 46 percent in the next few years according to Dalton McGuinty’s own lowball estimates.
Ontario families pay more for auto insurance and tuition than anywhere else in Canada.
Dalton McGuinty’s failed policies continue to drive up prices, while costing Ontario jobs. For example, 29,000 private sector jobs have been lost since his HST came in to effect this summer.
CONTACT:
Christine Bujold,
christine.bujold@pc.ola.org
