Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced on Thursday that the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, accepted the Premier’s advice to prorogue the legislature as of 12 p.m yesterday.
The Lieutenant Governor will deliver a Speech from the Throne outlining the government’s plans for the new session when the legislature convenes on September 12, 2016.
“At the halfway point of our mandate, a Throne Speech is an opportunity to provide an update on what we have achieved over the past two years, and to lay out the next steps in our balanced economic plan to build Ontario up and help people in their everyday lives,” Wynne stated.
“I’m looking forward to another productive legislative session that helps deliver on my number-one priority — economic growth that creates good jobs.”
Premier Wynne stated the government will reintroduce, this fall, all government bills that were before the legislature prior to prorogation, so that debate on them can continue.
“This includes election finance reform legislation, which the government intends to reintroduce on September 13, 2016 with all the amendments agreed to at the committee stage prior to the prorogation of the legislature,” government officials stated.
“The government also intends to move amendments during the committee stage of the bill to prohibit MPPs in all parties from attending fundraising events.”
Government officials say no sitting days will be lost due to prorogation, as the legislature is convening for the 2nd session on September 12, 2016, which is consistent with the parliamentary calendar established in the 1st session.
“The Throne Speech will provide an update on and outline next steps in the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs,” government officials stated.
“The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.”
Patrick Brown, the leader of the official opposition Progressive Conservative Party, issued a statement following the Liberal’s decision to prorogue the Legislature.
“The Wynne Liberals are an old, tired, and self-interested government that are desperately trying to frame a new narrative after an embarrassing defeat in the Scarborough-Rouge River by-election,” Brown said in a statement.
“What’s more, every failed policy decision this government has made for the last 13 years has made life more unaffordable for Ontarians. Unfortunately, today’s prorogation distraction tactic is too little, too late. The results of the by-election proves that the people of Ontario are tired of paying the highest electricity rates in North America.”
Brown added: “Apparently Premier Wynne only just learned that Ontario families are struggling to afford their hydro bills. After months of denial from the Premier and her Energy Minister that an energy crisis exists, Premier Wynne suddenly claims to be serious about tackling this issue. If she were serious about addressing this crisis, the Wynne Liberal Government would immediately halt any further sales of Hydro One shares and stop signing expensive contracts for energy we don’t need.”
Brown said “no amount of window dressing” is going to help Ontarians with their skyrocketing energy bills.
“This is the same Liberal Government that has faced five OPP investigations,” he said.
“The same Liberal Government that has rammed costly policies through the Legislature. The same Liberal Government that has slashed health care services while simultaneously driving our provincial debt up to more than $300-billion and growing. Life remains harder under this Liberal Government, and it is only going to continue to get worse.
Brown added: “When the House returns on Monday, the Ontario PC Caucus will be there to hold the Government to account, and ensure they have a credible plan to address the energy crisis. We will continue to fight for affordability. We will continue to do everything in our power to stop the fire sale of Hydro One.”
The Speech from the Throne is expected to take place at Queen’s Park on Monday at 12 p.m.
