On the same day that the Canadian government pledged to balance the budget by 2015, the Ontario government brushed aside the idea of balancing theirs at all.

Ontario Liberal and New Democrat MPPs voted against the Living Within Our Means Act Thursday, a bill that would have set a firm timeline for the province to get its books in order. The two parties joined forces, voting 51-31 against addressing the provinces ballooning over $270 billion debt.

Progressive Conservative MPP Rob Leone who brought the bill forward, was disappointed that it did not pass, especially in light of the other news of the day.

“It’s ironic that this government would vote against a balanced budget bill on the same day that the federal government is taking steps to get their fiscal house in order,” said Leone. “It’s not surprising, just ironic.”

In keeping with recommendations in the PC Caucus white paper Paths to Prosperity: A New Deal for the Public Sector, the Bill called forthe budget to be balanced before April 1^st, 2017.  In circumstances where the government fails to meet the deadline, it would incur a 25% reduction of Cabinet pay in the first year and a 50% penalty thereafter. The debt has almost doubled during the Liberal government’s time in power.

“It’s unfortunate these MPPs won’t lead by example,” said Leone. “Families across Ontario are doing the responsible thing every day by living within their means. Meanwhile their government is adding more and more debt on the backs of their children. It’s not right.”

Leone was hopeful he would have received support from all members of the Legislature since all three political parties indicated a willingness to balance the budget in a similar timeline.

“A vote against this Bill was a vote against balancing the budget,” concluded Leone, “This was chance for the Liberals and the NDP to follow through on their promise, they failed to do that.”

-30-