Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is concerned the cost of living in Ontario is getting higher every day, thanks in part to rising user fees.
From new fees on hunting and angling licenses to increased fees for driver and vehicle licences, Walker says user fees keep creeping up and sneaking money out of Ontarians’ pockets.
Walker notes his party recently demanded the governing Liberals repeal the new angling and hunting fees, and also called on the government to bring the licensing system back to Canada after sourcing it out to the US.
On top of that, Walker adds, the fire sale of public assets like Hydro One, the new pension plan and carbon taxes planned will further hurt Ontario families and businesses.
"The taxpayers will not receive any direct benefit in service from these fee increases. In fact, these hikes are really about making up for the wasted billions on scandals like the cancelled gas plants, eHealth and Ornge," says Walker, adding that the 400-plus user fees net the province about $2-billion a year in extra revenues.
"The user fee hikes combined with the deterioration of services is a worrisome trend in Ontario," he says. "The government's mismanagement is hurting our province."
"I hear daily from my constituents about affordability concerns and the fact that they're paying more money for fewer services," Walker says. "This government is taking money out of taxpayers' pocket at a time when they can least afford it, especially our most vulnerable people, such as our senior citizens, who bear the brunt of the Liberals' nickel-and-dime schemes."