It is time once again for the annual tradition New Year's resolutions. But instead of sharing ours with you, this year the CTF has prepared a helpful list of resolutions that should be considered by the Harris government.

Premier Harris should resolve to spend more time in the Legislature. Unlike the opposition, the CTF knows that the Premier is spending the same time at Queen's Park that he always has. However, in politics perception is reality and it is clear that the Liberals and NDP are trying to paint a picture of a lazy and disinterested Premier.

On the positive side, by focusing on personality instead of policy, the opposition parties are tacitly saying that they don't have much to criticize on the policy front. So the Premier should force their hand and spend a little more time in Question Period.

The Health Minister should resolve to push ahead with primary care reform. While we realize that negotiations with the Ontario Medical Association over the coming months will be tough, the government must show the same resolve in addressing doctor's visits as it did in institutional health care restructuring. Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer has proven herself to be one of the most competent members of Cabinet, but primary care reform may be her biggest challenge yet.

Pooling physicians into 24-hour practice groups is one step in halting the province's skyrocketing health care bills. Reducing unnecessary physician visits and providing round-the-clock consultation and referrals is imperative. Primary care reform must continue apace.

Minister Witmer must also resolve to go over hospital capital budgets with a fine toothcomb. While more bricks and mortar, especially alternate level of care (ALC) beds are needed, her focus should be equally placed on high-tech equipment such as MRIs to reduce waiting lines for all sorts of diagnostic imaging.

Someone, whether it be the Finance Minister, the Management Board Chairman or the Premier must re-open the privatization files. The Common Sense Revolution promised that the government would divest itself from non-core government activities. However, in five years the Harris Tories have shown an appalling lack of courage to actually trim the size of government. TVOntario, the LCBO, government-wide facilities and fleet management activities should be divested quickly, just to name a few.

The challenges in health care and education will continue to warrant more resources (read: cash) and policy focus. So the sooner that the government raises revenue from the sale or contracting out of various non-core activities, the better.

Municipal Affairs Minister Tony Clement must resolve to ensure that transition Boards in Ottawa, Sudbury, Haldimand-Norfolk and Hamilton pass restructuring savings through to taxpayers. For better or worse, the government is pushing ahead with local restructuring but the anticipated cost savings could be quickly eaten up by generous severance packages, averaging up of union contacts and runaway technology harmonization expenditures. Explicit instructions should be given to each Board to check and double-check the plans and estimates that will be forwarded by all types of "consultants" to make the new amalgamated cities work.

This exercise will only be successful if real savings accrue to business and residential property taxpayers. While the potential savings are real, every consultant, lawyer and accountant will want their cut. It is the job of the respective transition Boards to protect taxpayers. Minister Clement must repeatedly remind each Board's chair of this duty.