For many residents of Ontario, the cheque is in the mail. For over a week, the Ford government has been mailing out the $200 rebate cheques announced last October. All adults in the province who had completed tax returns for themselves, and their children are eligible for the payment.
Matt Richter, Deputy Leader and Green Party candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka, released the following statement on what he’s calling “Doug Ford’s election bribe cheques.”
“Doug Ford and Graydon Smith are fixated on spending billions of taxpayer dollars on wasteful political ploys and this cheque is just another example.” says Richter. “People are desperate for help as the cost of living soared over the past 4 years. I’m hearing time and time again that a one-time payment of $200 won’t solve any of the systemic problems holding Ontarians back. People are telling me that it feels like a bribe and are disgusted to hear that millionaires and billionaires like Galen Weston will be receiving the same funds.”
A news release from Richter’s office states, “The pre-election handout is expected to cost $3 billion dollars and is not means tested, meaning even the ultra-wealthy qualify. Conveniently, the cheques come right before Doug Ford’s majority government wastes more taxpayer resources calling an early election. The move mirrors Ford’s 2022 license plate sticker change which saw Ontarians receiving between $200 and $600 in the month before the election.”
Last week, Premier Doug Ford announced that an election call will come on January 29th and will send Ontario to the polls on February 27th.
“History is repeating itself as Doug Ford, Graydon Smith and the PC’s attempt to buy Ontarians vote with their pre-election bribes,” says Richter.
On January 27th, the Financial Accountability Office (FAO) released a report stating that the Ford government’s push to get beer, wine and ready-made cocktails into convenience stores ahead of schedule will cost taxpayers more than $600 million. In all, liberalized alcohol sales are expected to cost the province roughly $1.4 billion by 2030, the FAO said.
Matt Richter cites other Conservative projects that he says has no benefit to the people of Parry Sound – Muskoka.
“Combining this bribe with Ford’s fixation on expensive, wasteful projects in the GTA – like Highway 413, and tunnelling under the 401, it’s obvious that this government does not feel accountable for their reckless spending,” says Richter. “Everyone I talk to would rather see their government prioritize the real issues around the cost of living, the burnout among healthcare and education workers, the opioid crisis, and the lack of housing that people can afford.”
