April 23, 1999

Dear Premier:

So there I was yesterday, nestled in front of my TV at 3pm in my comfy chair with some popcorn by my side, waiting anxiously to get a sense of your vision for the province as we enter a new millennium.

Instead, I was treated to the Hilary Weston 'aren't Mikey H and his team a great bunch of people rah rah look at what we've done for Ontario rah rah if you turf us out of office you'll fall into the abyss rah rah' missive. Silly me, I always thought the occasion of a Throne Speech was to be used to chart a course for the future and inspire citizens to accept and work towards a common vision. So when do we hear about this common vision

Is it the big fundraiser next week in Toronto or the budget in early May You don't have to answer; it's a rhetorical question. To be fair, the Throne Speech did contain an impressive list of progress. From a solid record of economic performance to the Workplace Democracy Act (Bill 31) to the Fewer Politicians Act right through to your recent initiative on internal trade, the Fairness is a Two Way Street Act, no one can deny your record for making promises and keeping most of them.

But it's the promises that have not been fulfilled and some more that we think should be made and fulfilled which should concern you.

Top of this list is Balanced Budget and Taxpayer Protection Legislation (BBL and TPL). This promise must be fulfilled before you go to the polls this spring. Ergo, a BBL and TPL Act must be passed, immediately. Allow me to remind you that on May 30, 1995 at a news conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, you signed our Taxpayer Protection Pledge which read:



I, Mike Harris, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, pledge, if elected, to support immediate passage of Taxpayer Protection Legislation that will:

One, make any increase in existing tax rates subject to approval by the voters of Ontario in a binding referendum;, make any increase in existing tax rates subject to approval by the voters of Ontario in a binding referendum;

Two, require the elimination of Ontario's operating and capital deficits within at least five years, along with interim deficit targets for each of the years; and

Three, contain 'pay for performance' ministerial salary penalties for the Premier and cabinet ministers if interim deficit targets are not met.

And it should be noted that 129 of 130 PC candidates, 82 which now sit as members of the legislature, also signed this pledge.

Mr. Premier, how long a time frame does immediate passage cover. The time is short and we urge you, for the sake of your own credibility to act before the writ for the election is dropped.

And we are also extremely disappointed in your government's handling of the privatization file. The best candidate for privatization was a tree nursery If you're really serious about reducing the size and scope of government, you must do more than appoint a junior minister with three political masters. Minister Rob Sampson toiled away in obscurity and delivered toothless and pointless, lobbyist registration. Hardly a stellar record!

Alas, I could go on about how your government botched the municipal reform file by tackling Toronto instead of Ottawa, but I think you sense our frustration. We have, for the most part, supported the policy thrust of your government. But you have some loose ends to tie up before you go to the polls in June. In this regard, the words of your Throne Speech mean little: it is your actions that will count.

Sincerely,