Michael Gravelle says the province is going to be facing some tough times ahead.
That’s why it’s going to be important for all MPPs to work together Gravelle (Lib., Thunder Bay-Superior North) said.
“This is a daunting task indeed,” Gravelle said. “We all want to hear the good ideas that may be there from all members of the house regardless of party.”
That was one message in the Liberal minority government’s Throne Speech Tuesday afternoon. The other main focus was jobs and the economy. From more GO trains for the Greater Toronto Area, which means jobs for Thunder Bay’s Bombardier plant, to a recommitment to developing the Ring of Fire, Gravelle said he thinks the speech reiterates that the provincial government is focused on creating jobs and strengthening the economy despite slow global economic growth.
To see that as a recommitment was certainly encouraging,” he said. “We’re looking at the potential for enormous employment opportunities not just in the ring of fire site but all across Northern Ontario.”
But there are cuts coming for the public sector even with the government’s commitment to the civil service. The Liberals will look to cut seven per cent in the public sector by 2014.
“There’s no secret that we are facing very strong challenges related to our fiscal situation…there’s no doubt that any adjustments to public service jobs can be very very difficult,” Gravelle said. “There are some tough decisions that need to be made.”
The Liberals have promised though that healthcare and education will remain priorities while cuts will be done wisely Gravelle said.
“It won’t be done in a slapdash manner. There’s going to be some real thought behind making sure we make decisions related to public services that are based on reforms to the system as opposed to across the board cuts.”
