Catherine Fife MPP, Waterloo

QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, joined NDP finance critic, MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) to call out Ford for continuing to withhold money at a time when Ontarians are struggling, according to a Financial Accountability Office (FAO) report.

“Workers are living paycheque to paycheque across the province right now, and it’s getting impossible for people just to make ends meet,” said Stiles. “Wages are being held below inflation, and people have less and less to spend on even the bare necessities. Instead of making sure Ontarians’ tax dollars are providing them the services they need, Ford is simply not spending it. He is shirking his responsibility to sustain the strong public programs that people need more than ever. Out of touch is an understatement. It’s completely irresponsible.”

Today’s FAO report revealed that Ford’s government is refusing to spend $7.2 billion on Ontarians at a time when they need it most. Instead of investing people’s money in hospitals, community services, and transit, Ford is irresponsibly hoarding money and redirecting it to private shareholder pockets.

“Ford’s agenda only benefits his wealthy donors, like developers shamelessly cashing in on his Greenbelt grab, or private clinics looking to profit off our health care needs,” said Fife. “Ontarians should be able to rely on public services to be there when they need them – but Ford is abandoning those as well. Ontarians waiting for their Emergency Rooms to re-open are not feeling supported by this government. Just what will it take for Ford to do the right thing, and make life easier for Ontarians?”

Read the FAO’s August 2 update on the province’s 2022-23 spending plan.