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8 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, July 7, 2011 MPP says Auditor-General report reveals Ontario budget plan is `fiscal fantasy' The Auditor-General has done the people of Ontario a great service. His report, released last week, showed the McGuinty Government's budget plan to be a fiscal fantasy. Here's the gaping hole in the provincial Liberal budget plan. They claim that from now on, they will hold program spending increases to an average of less than 2 percent each year. They say this will enable them to balance the budget by 2017-18. Yet they constantly boast about "investing in public services" and their record shows annual spending increases have averaged 7 percent since they took office. How can they expect us to now believe they will demonstrate the sustained political courage required to hold the line on spending at less than a 2 percent increase? The conclusion most people will draw is that the Liberals are not capable of ever balancing the provincial budget. They can't stop spending. I raised this very issue in the House many times, and never received a response, let alone an explanation that was remotely satisfactory. Ted Arnott In what was surely the understatement of the year to date, the Auditor-General said the Government's budget projections needed to be taken with "a big grain of salt." Unfortunately, after eight years of the McGuinty Government, the salt is all gone. *** On June 23rd, I attended a community-organized public meeting at the Glencairn Golf Club, where the Ministry of Transportation's "GTA West Corridor Study" came under scrutiny. At issue is the possibility of a new highway being built through the Town of Halton Hills to connect the 401 to the 400. The mood in the room was decidedly opposed to the idea of proceeding with a route the Ministry calls "Alternative 4-3." I am committed to working with Council and area residents to ensure our views are heard. I have requested a comprehensive, updated briefing from Ministry staff, and hope the Minister will attend as well. *** Fred Helson deserves our thanks for his generous donation to the Georgetown Hospital Foundation recently. Mr. Helson has been a pillar of the Georgetown community for many years. He has shown philanthropic leadership which others can emulate. Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott can be reached at 1-800265-2366, wwww.tedarnottmpp. com Rural Heritage Traditions Saturday, July 9th 11pm - 4pm Tour this historical Crossroads Community · Meet Mrs. Cassin in her 1830's log cabin · Visit the 1870's Lucas farmstead · See the animals, sheep, cattle, ducks, pigs, goats, horses... · Bring a picnic lunch · See over 100 antique tractors, trucks and cars All Colour Antique Tractor & Toy Show & Olde Tyme Fair July 15th, 16th & 17th 9am - 5pm Featuring the 175th year for John Deere · Farm animal and tractor displays · Interactive play stations · Lawn and antique tractor pulls · Tractor drawn wagon rides · Exhibit buildings open · Much more, visit our website Gladsdens Midsummer Antique Expo Saturday, July 23rd 8am - 5pm · 120 Antique dealers from Ontario & Quebec · Show & sale of antiques, collectables, retro design & art · Heritage buildings and exhibits will be open · Food service · Tractor drawn wagon rides 8560 Tremaine e Road, Road d Milton Mi il lton 905-878-8151 905 878 8151 Daily admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children $5, Children 5 & under Free, Family Package: $22 (Some events differ) Programs subject to change. Check out our website for all our summer events www.countryheritagepark.com w o N n O `til Sunday July 10 280 Guelph St. ­ Hwy. 7 Georgetown 905-873-8918 Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to visit GEORGETOWN MARKET PLACE www.georgetownmarketplace.com