Tim Hudak Calls on Dalton McGuinty to Put the Taxpayers' Interests Ahead of
Criminals

TORONTO, June 7 /CNW/ -

NEWS:

-----

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, today, wrote Premier Dalton McGuinty calling on him to support a federal initiative that would prevent Ontario tax dollars from funding retirement entitlements for convicted criminals and to clarify whether or not these same felons will receive HST transitional payments.

On June 1, 2010, the Federal Government tabled legislation that would deny taxpayer-funded Old Age Security benefits to convicted criminals during their period of incarceration. Full implementation of this measure requires active support of the provinces.

Hudak also called on Premier McGuinty to clarify whether convicted prisoners, who are currently incarcerated, will receive HST transitional payments. On July 1st, 2010, the McGuinty Liberals record-breaking HST tax grab comes into affect, with only some Ontarians qualifying for one-time payments to help cope with this permanent new tax.

QUOTES:

-------

"Seniors and families were shocked to discover that their hard earned tax dollars were being used to contribute to retirement funds for convicted murders like Clifford Olson and Paul Bernardo while they were struggling to save for their own retirement... I ask you to confirm that you will take all necessary measures to support the federal government in this regard."

- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, letter to Dalton McGuinty, June 7th, 2010

"You already shocked seniors and families who will pay more under the HST for fuel, utilities, and other necessities by handing out $25 million in so-called HST severance to tax collectors who won't miss a day of work. You then publicly called on Ontario families and seniors to "make sacrifices" to pay for it. The PC Caucus calls on you to immediately clarify whether convicted prisoners will be the ones benefiting from the sacrifices of honest, hard working Ontario families and seniors."

- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, letter to Dalton McGuinty, June 7th, 2010

QUICK FACTS:

------------

    
    -  On June 1, 2010, Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills
       Development, tabled Bill C-31, the Eliminating Entitlements for
       Prisoners Act, which would deny payments from the Old Age Security
       (OAS) program to prisoners serving sentences exceeding 90 days.

    -  In order for the administration of the Act to apply to a particular
       province's prisons, that province must work with the Government of
       Canada to comply with certain sections of the Prisons and
       Reformatories Act.
    

June 7, 2010

Honourable Dalton McGuinty

Premier of Ontario

Queen's Park

Toronto, ON M7A 1A1

Dear Premier McGuinty,

I am writing to you today with respect to two important issues.

First, on June 1st, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, tabled Bill C-31, the Eliminating Entitlements for Prisoners Act. This federal legislation will protect seniors and families from having their tax dollars used to fund Old Age Security contributions for criminals who are incarcerated.

Seniors and families were shocked to discover that their hard earned tax dollars were being used to contribute to retirement funds for convicted murderers like Clifford Olson and Paul Bernardo while they were struggling to save for their own retirement.

I call on you to immediately support the Government of Canada, this important legislation, and the seniors and families who work hard and who play by the rules. The federal government has signaled that it requires provincial and territorial governments to assist them in implementing this new legislation. An Ontario PC government would not hesitate to lend its support for this worthy initiative. I ask you to confirm that you will take all necessary measures to support the federal government in this regard.

Second, on a related issue please clarify whether it is indeed the case that convicted prisoners who are currently incarcerated will receive the HST transitional payments. Representatives of the Canada Revenue Agency we spoke to advised us to refer the question back to you. You already shocked seniors and families who will pay more under the HST for fuel, utilities, and other necessities by handing out $25 million in so-called HST severance to tax collectors who won't miss a day of work. You then publicly called on Ontario families and seniors to "make sacrifices" to pay for it. The PC Caucus calls on you to immediately clarify whether convicted prisoners will be the ones benefiting from the sacrifices of honest, hard working Ontario families and seniors.

I look forward to your response on these two issues.

Respectfully,

Tim Hudak, MPP

Ontario PC Leader

    
      cc. Lisa MacLeod, PC Critic for Revenue and Government Accountability
          John Wilkinson, Minister of Revenue
    

For further information: Christine Bujold, [phone], [email protected]