Press Release
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is welcoming yesterday’s successful passing of Bill 55.
The bill that passed third and final reading yesterday, is significantly improved from the one that was introduced in April, says Campbell.
“Over the past two months, I have spoken to thousands of people across the riding and the message was clear, the budget that was introduced fell well short of the budget needed to move this province forward,” she noted.
“Through consultation and a dedication to work with the government, we have delivered on our goal of improving the document. It may not contain everything we would like to see, but that is the nature of compromise, you have to be willing to give and take,” added Campbell.
During the first round of budget negotiations, Campbell and her caucus colleagues successfully negotiated $20 million to help improve northern health care, modest increases in Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program Benefits, and a modest two per cent surtax on salaries over $500,000 annually to bring more fairness to taxpayers.
More recent negotiations led to public consultations on the budget itself, increasing oversight and accountability in government services to prevent another ORNGE scandal, some government concessions on the privatization of public services, and labour and arbitration protection.
“These are significant and real changes we have made. Not only did we make the budget more democratic by ensuring the public was able to participate in the process, we helped ensure oversights are in place to make government agencies more accountable and transparent,” said Campbell.
While the budget will allow the government to move forward with some privatization measures, Campbell noted public pressure will be needed to force the government to back away from its privatization agenda.
“I am happy that we were able to pass the budget, but disappointed that the Liberals and Conservatives joined forces to push through some privatization measures without consultation or any real transparency as to what their plans are,” says Campbell.
Of primary concern, said Campbell, is provisions in the North-American Free Trade Agreement that force the government to accept the lowest bid for the right to deliver these services, which means an American or Mexican company could be left in control of Ontarian’s private information.
That personal information can then be subject to the laws of that foreign jurisdiction, allowing those governments to access the information without warning or notice through laws like the American Patriot Act.
She said there is still time to fight those changes, and hopes the public will send a clear message to the government over the summer that it must be clear about its intentions and the consequences of those actions.
