The summer of '99 will go down as one of the quietest seasons for provincial political activity in recent memory. Even after we factor in the traditional post-election lull, the last summer of this century at Queen's Park has been hauntingly silent.

However, the lack of action at "the Park" affords us the opportunity to look beyond Toronto and assess what's happening around the province with a style reminiscent of the glory days of renowned Chicago movie critics, Siskel and Ebert.


Thumbs down to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for incompetence and poor planning. Five years ago, the province introduced a graduated licensing system for new drivers Under this system, drivers were granted limited driving privileges and were required to take another road test five years after receiving their first license to graduate to "full driver" status. to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for incompetence and poor planning. Five years ago, the province introduced a graduated licensing system for new drivers Under this system, drivers were granted limited driving privileges and were required to take another road test five years after receiving their first license to graduate to "full driver" status.

Well guess what It's now five years hence and some 600,000 road tests are now needed. This is up markedly from annual provincial volumes of 354,000. Somehow, the collective braintrust at the MTO failed to plan for this volume spike (they only knew it was coming for five years - duh!) and drivers are now being forced to wait in lines for 6 to 10 months. And you thought extended waits for elective surgeries, cancer treatments and MRI diagnostic scans were a problem


Thumbs up to Carleton-Gloucester MPP Brian Coburn for saying NO to corporate welfare. Mr. Coburn, who represents an eastern Metro Ottawa riding, recently reaffirmed the Province's position that it would not offer any incentives, tax free holidays, seed money, etc. in aiding the Region of Ottawa-Carleton to attract a chip fabrication plant to eastern Ottawa. Such a plant could employ upwards of 1,000 people and greatly add to the development of the region's bustling knowledge-based economic sector. Mr. Coburn rightly asserts that the provinces low-taxes, skilled workforce and favourable regulatory regime are the incentives that really count. He's right!


Thumbs down to the MTO (yes, them again) for refusing to raise speed limits on Ontario's 400-series of highways. The OPP now claims that higher speeds (above the legal limit of 100 km/h) are actually safer and it's the "slowpokes" that pose the greatest danger on the roads. In addition, evidence from Montana, where speed limits have effectively been eliminated, reveals a marked decrease in traffic fatalities.

Officials still maintain that speed limits are necessary for safety reasons despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Of course it's not safety that is at stake, it's money, specifically yours and mine. Every speeding ticket represents revenue for the province and is nothing more than tax collection for the welfare state! Remember speeding tickets start at $90 a pop and rise exponentially thereafter.


Thumbs up to Premier Harris for trying to make a call for broad-based tax cuts a centrepiece of the final communiqué that will come from next week's Premier's conference. Mr. Harris has long believed that there is a national consensus for real tax relief and recent election victories in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, along with his own triumph, simply serve to further his conviction.

Now if only the other Premiers, regardless of their partisan affiliation, will get on board with Mr. Harris and represent the wishes and aspirations of their own constituents as well …