taxpayer

Saturday September 7, 2024

Premier Doug Ford’s decision to liberalize alcohol sales in Ontario’s convenience stores might look like a popular move at first glance, but underneath it is a reckless waste of taxpayer dollars. The $225 million payout to end a contract with The Beer Store just 16 months early is a glaring example of poor financial governance, and it mirrors previous decisions by Ford’s government that have cost Ontarians hundreds of millions with little to show for it.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 7, 2024

Ford’s $225 Million Boondoggle is a Reckless Waste of Ontario’s Money

News: More than 300 Toronto corner stores can now sell alcohol

As the Beer Store, Ontario's largest beer vendor, faces an uncertain future with rumours of the non-renewal of the Master Framework Agreement, citizens grapple with the potential demise of this iconic institution, envisioning a nostalgic Brewer's Retail Museum amid Premier Doug Ford's ongoing efforts to expand alcohol sales to more retailers.

November 29, 2023

While the change to allow alcohol sales in convenience stores may appeal to those tired of Ontario’s restrictive liquor laws, the question remains: at what cost? Ford’s government has pushed through this plan with alarming haste, paying out $225 million in public money to escape a contract that could have expired naturally. The timeline of the decision, just ahead of a potential early election, raises concerns that this is less about delivering a long-promised reform and more about securing votes. The payout not only compensates The Beer Store’s multinational owners, but it also raises the ire of a public that would rather see these funds allocated toward essential services, such as health care and infrastructure.

In addition to the wasteful payout, the plan has led to considerable unrest. Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) workers went on strike in response to the changes, public health experts have warned of increased risks of alcohol-related harm, and the compensation deal for The Beer Store has triggered public outrage. With Ontario already the most indebted sub-sovereign entity in the world, the province simply cannot afford such reckless financial maneuvers.

May 18, 2023

Ford’s history of wasteful spending stretches back to his earliest days as premier. One of his first acts in 2018 was the cancellation of over 750 renewable energy projects, costing Ontario $231 million. The justification for these cancellations was to save money by halting projects that, according to Ford, Ontario did not need. However, in 2023, his government found itself reversing course, announcing a new expansion of renewable energy to meet rising demand and shifting corporate priorities toward emissions-free electricity. These contradictory policies not only reflect poor planning but also saddle Ontario with massive financial burdens.

News: Doug Ford shifts direction on wind power in Ontario

Premier Doug Ford has fulfilled a 2018 election promise to expand alcohol sales in Ontario, allowing beer, wine, and other beverages to be sold in 8,500 new outlets by January 1, 2026, but the process has taken decades due to long-standing industry agreements.

December 15, 2023

The $225 million payout for The Beer Store debacle is simply the latest in a pattern of costly decisions made by the Ford government. Ontarians should be outraged at how casually their tax dollars are being spent to satisfy short-term political goals. What could this $225 million have achieved if spent on health care, education, or infrastructure? In a time when the province is grappling with significant challenges—whether it be the crisis in health care, long ER wait times, or underfunded public services—this money could have gone a long way in addressing these needs.

In truth, this alcohol sales policy may represent a form of deregulation that many Ontarians find appealing. After all, increased convenience and the end of outdated “nanny state” rules around alcohol sales seem like progress. But if that progress comes at such an exorbitant cost, it’s fair to ask whether the Ford government’s priorities are truly in the public’s best interest.

July 26, 2012

The decision to liberalize alcohol sales could have been implemented without this massive payout if only the government had waited. The rash decision to buy out The Beer Store’s contract just to meet an election timetable is as unnecessary as it is expensive. Worse, it highlights the ongoing problem with Ford’s leadership—a willingness to spend hundreds of millions with little thought to long-term consequences or the taxpayer’s pocketbook.

Ontario deserves better governance, one that balances popular reforms with responsible stewardship of public funds. This $225 million boondoggle is yet another example of how far the Ford government is from achieving that balance. (AI)

Friday November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 22, 2019

Doug Ford government spent $231M to scrap green energy projects

Provincial documents show the Ford government spent more than $230 million to cancel renewable energy projects that included a partially-built wind farm in a cabinet minister’s riding.

December 1, 2018

The spending was revealed Tuesday in question period by the opposition NDP, who accused the Ford government of throwing away money on scrapping energy projects as the Liberal government did earlier in the decade.

The province’s public accounts for 2018-19 show spending of $231 million by the Ministry of Energy on unexplained “other transactions.”

October 19, 2018

Inquiries by an NDP researcher uncovered that these “other transactions” were “to fulfil a government commitment to wind down renewable energy contracts” including the White Pines wind farm in Prince Edward County.

Premier Doug Ford promised that electricity ratepayers would not be on the hook for scrapping the wind farm, which was one of the first acts of his government after taking power in June 2018.

“Wasting $231 million to cancel hydro contracts is the sort of thing the previous Liberal government did during the gas plant scandal,” NDP energy critic Peter Tabuns said on Tuesday.

The associate minister of energy, Bill Walker, said the province didn’t need the power from the White Pines project but didn’t deny the cost of the cancellation.

“This municipality was an unwilling host from day one. They did not want the turbines. We did the right thing,” said Walker in question period.

October 12, 2012

Walker pointed to actions of the previous Liberal governments, whose moves to cancel gas plants in Mississauga and Oakville ended up costing upwards of $1 billion, according to the province’s auditor general.  

“I’ll take fair criticism for decisions that were made when we were in government,” John Fraser, the Liberal interim leader, said Tuesday at Queen’s Park. “But I also believe that this government’s going down the wrong path with energy and electricity, and tearing up these contracts was the absolute wrong thing to do.”

The White Pines wind farm is in the riding of Todd Smith, the PC MPP for Bay of Quinte and the government’s minister of children, community and social services.

“This is a project that residents of Prince Edward County had been fighting against since it was proposed,” Smith told reporters Tuesday.  

Four out of the nine turbines approved for the project were built in 2018. After the election, the new government put a stop-work order on construction. Crews are currently working to dismantle those four turbines.

“For this government to rip up contracts and literally rip wind turbines out of the ground is a huge waste of money and makes absolutely no sense,” said Green party Leader Mike Schreiner. (CBC) 

 

Tuesday May 14, 2019 

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 14, 2019 

Nearly two-thirds of Canadians oppose provincial governments spending taxpayers’ dollars to battle federal carbon tax, poll says

Nearly two-thirds of Canadians oppose provincial governments spending taxpayers’ dollars to battle the federal carbon tax, says a new poll released Monday as the Ontario government launched a new television ad slamming the levy.

April 30, 2019

About 64 per cent of respondents said it is unacceptable for provinces to opt out of the federal effort to combat climate change, including the carbon tax, according to a survey done by Nanos Research for The Globe and Mail. As well, 64 per cent of respondents said they oppose provincial governments spending public money to fight the tax.

Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick are pursuing legal challenges to the levy, which the Liberal government imposed in those provinces that do not have a carbon pricing system of their own, as part of Ottawa’s overall effort to meet its international commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

April 17, 2019

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is expected to unveil legislation on May 22 to rescind the provincial carbon tax adopted by the former New Democratic Party government. Mr. Kenney said he, too, will launch a legal challenge if, as promised, the federal government imposed its carbon tax in place of the provincial one that is to be cancelled.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his ministers have launched a multipronged opposition campaign that includes the court challenge in which a decision is expected soon; frequent ministerial photo ops highlighting the cost of the levy; a move to require gas stations to post stickers detailing the cost, and paid advertising. In a spot to air Monday, an Ontario government ad says the carbon tax will cost the average family $648 a year in 2022. Like the rest of the provincial material, the Ontario ad does not include any mention of the fact that the federal legislation requires all revenue raised to be returned to the province, with 80 per cent of families expected to receive more through a rebate delivered on their income tax return than they paid out in tax.

April 15, 2015

“It’s pretty clear that Canadians don’t like the idea of provinces opting out with the exception of Canadians in the Prairie provinces,” pollster Nik Nanos said. “While the carbon tax and the rebate is not a big political winner [for the federal Liberals], people definitely don’t like using provincial tax dollars to fight the federal carbon tax.”

The survey – which has a margin of error of three percentage points – polled 1,000 Canadians by phone and online between April 25 and 28. (Globe & Mail) 

 

Friday October 19, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 19, 2018

Premier Doug Ford’s cap-and-trade move will cost treasury $3B over four years

Premier Doug Ford’s move to scrap Ontario’s cap-and-trade alliance with Quebec and California will deal a $3-billion blow to the treasury, according to the province’s financial accountability officer.

September 29, 2018

“By cancelling the cap-and-trade program, the province’s annual budget balance will worsen by a cumulative total of $3 billion over the next four years,” Peter Weltman warned Tuesday.

“The province’s budget balance worsens because the loss of cap-and-trade revenue from ending the auction of emission allowances is greater than the savings achieved from cancelling cap-and-trade-related spending programs,” said Weltman.

Environment Minister Rod Phillips, who will unveil a replacement climate-change plan later this year without any taxation component, insisted the $3-billion hit was anticipated.

“That’s $3 billion back in the pockets of Ontario taxpayers,” said Phillips.

July 11, 2018

“We committed to the orderly wind-down of this program that was killing jobs, that was regressive, and we will follow that through. It’s a promise we made, it’s a promise we’ll keep,” he said.

“Yes, that means less money for government — that’s more money for families.”

NDP MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) countered that “Ford is hurting Ontario’s environment, and he’s charging all Ontarians extra to do it.”

“The direct result of Ford’s favour to big polluters will be $3 billion in costs piled onto the backs of the people of Ontario. That means ripping $3 billion right out of folks’ bank accounts, or cutting $3 billion from things like health care,” said Tabuns.

November 22, 2016

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said “Ford’s anti-climate agenda is bad for the environment and bad for business.”

“Today, we learned that the premier’s reckless actions are a $3-billion boondoggle that will dig a deeper fiscal hole for the province,” said Schreiner.

Greenpeace’s Keith Stewart said the FAO report proves axing cap-and-trade “is bad for the budget and worse for our environment.”

Beyond any environmental impact of withdrawing from the climate accord, Ontario will now be subject to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s forthcoming federal carbon-pricing scheme that could be more expensive.

It was exempt from that while it was part of the two-year-old cap-and-trade accord with Quebec and California. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

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Tuesday March 20, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 20, 2018

Ontario Liberals use throne speech to make big spending promises for health care, child care

Ontario’s Liberal government teased what voters should expect in its upcoming pre-election budget in a speech from the throne on Monday, promising significant new spending on a wide range of programs and issues.

The address comes as the province prepares for a June 7 election.

The speech comes a week before the government is set to table its 2018 budget, which is expected to include a deficit of about $8 billion the Liberals say is necessary to beef up spending on health care, child care and support for students.

“After delivering a balanced budget this year, your government has made a deliberate choice to make more investments in the care and the services that the people of this province rely on,” Dowdeswell said.

“As a result, the 2018 budget will show a modest deficit next year of less than one per cent of our GDP, and outline a path back to a balanced budget.”

Health care is clearly emerging as a central theme in the run-up to the official start of campaign season.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath was at Queen’s Park on Monday morning to provide more details on her party’s $1.2-billion proposal to provide dental care coverage for everyone in the province.

Speaking to reporters, Horwath said that an NDP government would “absolutely” run a deficit, but she said it was necessary because of Liberal fiscal mismanagement. (Source: CBC News)