Toronto: Following a case conference between the parties, the hearing date for the matter of The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and John Williamson, and Premier Dalton McGuinty and Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, has been changed from June 21 to November 15, 2004.

What: Taxpayers vs. Messrs. McGuinty & Sorbara
When: November 15, 2004
Where: Ontario Superior Court, Toronto

The change was made at the request of counsel to Messrs. McGuinty and Sorbara who wanted a longer time for hearing, which was only available later in the court's calendar. The change was not opposed by the CTF and John Williamson on the following conditions:

 

• That the CTF be allowed to amend its pleadings in the event that Bill 83, the budget legislation, became law prior to the hearing date;
  
   
• That the matter be heard on an earlier court date should one free up in August or September.
   

"Since the government forced the budget bill through last week by limiting debate, the bill was scheduled to become law before our original court date of June 21. This would have required us to amend our pleadings, which automatically meant further delay," said CTF Ontario Director Tasha Kheiriddin.

"It's yet another broken promise hurting taxpayers. First, Ontarians were promised a referendum prior to any new tax increases - and now an expedited hearing is delayed because the government broke its commitment not to limit debate. Where will it end "