The Facts Speak for Themselves

February 21, 2017

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Vic Fedeli congratulated the government on presenting their 3^rd Quarter Financial results…their second time in 9 years, despite a law that requires the government to present this annually. Fedeli brought this continual breaking of the law to the attention of the public last week, guilting the government into finally coming clean with the provinces finances.

“What we confirmed today is the government will attempt to artificially balance the budget by using reserves and the one-time sale of assets,” said Fedeli.

“And thanks to $500 million more in unplanned revenue from the Land Transfer Tax, and additional revenue from service fees, the government hopes to balance the budget on the backs of Ontario’s families,” added Fedeli

In addition, contrary to the ruling from the Auditor General, the government is adding the surplus pension funds as an asset.

While the government chooses to paint one picture, here are the facts about Ontario’s finances…

Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Ontario Economic Report, February 2017

Only 24% of businesses have confidence in the province’s economy. Since Premier Kathleen Wynne first took office in 2013, business confidence in the provincial economy has been cut in half from 48%

Ontario’s Long-Term Report on the Economy, February 2017

The Report predicts a drop in average growth rate for Ontario’s GDP, Final Consumption Expenditure, Private Sector Capital Stocks, Exports, Imports, and Labour Participation Rate; declining performance in all of Ontario’s major economic indicators
The current structure of Ontario’s economy will continue to shift from good-paying manufacturing jobs to more part-time and temporary employment

Ontario’s Economic Accounts, January 2017

Business investment decreased by 0.8% (including a 6% drop in machinery and equipment investment)
Foreign direct investment decreased from $7B to $4B

The fDi Annual Report, 2016

Ontario is no longer the #1 in foreign direct investment in North America; fell to #4.
Foreign investment in Ontario dropped this past year, from $7 billion to $4 billion. Ontario’s market share has been cut in half from 12% in 2015 to just 6 per cent this year

FAO’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, November 2016

Forecasted a deficit of $2.6B in 2017/18 and $3.7B by 2020/21
Net debt is $307B and expected to rise by $64B and surpass $370B in the next 5 years
Interest payments are approaching $12B a year
Net debt-to-GDP ratio projected to grow to 41%. It was 27% when the Liberals took office

Fall Economic Statement, November 2016

Contingency reserves reduced by $600M
$800M obtained through one-time sale of assets

FAO’s Commentary, November 2016

Projected budget deficits $5.2B in 2016/17, $2.6B in 2017/18
Government projecting higher revenues than the FAO—$2.8 higher in 2016/17 and $5.2B higher by 2018/19
Government forecasts higher income tax by more than $1B
FES assumes $13.B in federal transfers and $1.9B in cap-and-trade proceeds by 2017/18

Freedom of Information Inquiries

$308M spent on abandoned OLG initiative. Resulted in a cut of $107M from OLG hospital transfers
$300M loss through hydro-related missteps
$70M for the improvement of hunting and fishing not used for either
Auto insurance rates increase 1.5% in 3^rd quarter
Metrolinx is $22M over their 2012 estimated budget of $255M
Government sells LCBO lands for $246M

Unaudited Annual Report (Public Accounts), September 2016

Year-over-year government spending rose by $4.6B (3.5%), from $128M to $133.4B
$2B added to government revenue from the sale of Hydro One
$2.74 billion in revenue from service fees in 2016-17, a 38.7% increase from 2011-12
Net debt grew by $20.6B during the year

Financial Accountability Officer’s Ontario Business Investment Expected to Edge Lower in 2016, May 2016

Private investment is set to decline 0.7% in 2016, with an 8% drop projected for manufacturing sector

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