2010 Sunshine List Confirms McGuinty's LHIN Appointees Cashing in on Health
Care Dollars

QUEEN'S PARK, March 31 /CNW/ -

    
    News
    ----
    

The release of the 2010 Sunshine List of highly-paid government employees confirms that the number of government employees making over $100,000 has more than tripled since Dalton McGuinty took office from 20,249 to over 63,000. This sits in stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs that have been lost since the recession began.

Featured prominently on the sunshine list were Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) bureaucrats, Dalton McGuinty's unaccountable, unelected appointees. The CEO's at the LHINs were treated to a staggering $15,000 pay increase and the number of LHIN bureaucrats pulling in over $100,000 has grown from 40 to 114 since 2006. Since the creation of the LHINs, over $17 million has been spent on salaries - money that should be focussed on front line care.

Last week, Dalton McGuinty quietly cancelled a legislative review of the LHINs that was set to start on March 28, 2010. A Standing Committee of the Legislature was to conduct a thorough review of the LHINs. Through Freedom of Information, the Ontario PC Caucus has uncovered $7 Million in untendered contracts and spiralling salaries at the LHINs.

    
    Quotes
    ------
    

"While emergency rooms are forced to close and families struggle to make ends meet, Dalton McGuinty's LHIN appointees are cashing in with their $15,000 raises. These funds need to be directed to frontline patient care - not bloated government salaries."

-- Lisa MacLeod, Ontario PC MPP for Nepean-Carleton and Critic for Accountability.

"There is no wonder Dalton McGuinty is on track to double our debt. The growth in six-figure salaried government employees does not come close to reflecting the economic reality of Ontario."

-- Lisa MacLeod, Ontario PC MPP for Nepean-Carleton and Critic for Accountability.

    
    Quick Facts
    -----------

    -   Dalton McGuinty has more than tripled the number of government
        executives, appointees and managers making more than $100,000 per
        year or more. In 2003, 20,249 government employees made six figure
        salaries. That number has now skyrocketed to 63,836.

    -   In just three years, the number of LHIN appointees making more than
        $100,000 per year has increased from 40 to 114 -- a 185% increase.
        This includes 19 employees who are making more than $200,000 per
        year.

    -   In total, more than $17,000,000 is being diverted from frontline
        patient care and towards six-figure salaries for LHINs insiders.

    -   Today the CEOs at Dalton McGuinty's LHINs are making an average of
        $275,000 per year - representing an average raise of $15,000 over
        what they made last year.
    

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