McGuinty Concedes Defeat by Resigning as Premier

McGuinty should 'face the music' and reverse prorogation decision, Steelworkers say

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Plagued by scandal and a failure to lead a minority government, Dalton McGuinty has delivered a final insult to Ontarians by arbitrarily suspending the Ontario legislature, the United Steelworkers (USW) says.

"By resigning as premier, McGuinty is conceding defeat in his attempts to govern the province in a minority government," said Wayne Fraser, the USW's Ontario Director.

"However, there is no justification for McGuinty's decision to indefinitely prorogue the legislature," Fraser said.

"This is a reprehensible and historic abuse of power. McGuinty must respect our democracy, reverse his decision and reconvene the legislature immediately."

McGuinty said Monday he will let the next Liberal leader decide when the legislature will be recalled - an indefinite timeline that could drag on for months.

"McGuinty is subverting our democratic system to shield the Liberals from scrutiny and accountability for the many scandals that have come to define their government," Fraser said.

"McGuinty should face the music, rather than give himself and his ministers a free pass from contempt motions and from investigations into the Ornge air ambulance fiasco and the costly gas plant cancellation scandal," he said.

"Meanwhile, various legislation dies, legislative committee work stops and nothing gets done at Queen's Park."

McGuinty's failure to lead a minority government stems in part from his decision to shift toward regressive policies to curry favour from Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and his party, Fraser said.

"Much like McGuinty's Liberals, the Hudak Conservatives have been unable, or unwilling, to pursue the co-operation and the policies required to make this minority government work for Ontario families," he said.

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Wayne Fraser, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792, [email protected]
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434-2221, [email protected]