Queen’s Park, Toronto - Lanark-Carleton MPP and Progressive Conservative critic for Democratic Renewal Norm Sterling today shone a light on the hypocrisy of the McGuinty government’s so-called democratic renewal initiatives.

“The McGuinty government has developed a habit of gagging debate on its democratic renewal bills and entirely preventing debate of other democratic renewal matters,” said Mr. Sterling.

On Monday the McGuinty Liberals used a guillotine motion to end debate on Bill 155 which calls for a referendum on the proposal from the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Not only did the government shut down debate on this Bill, but they refuse to allow the Legislature to debate or approve the question to be asked in the referendum, as suggested by the Select Committee on Electoral Reform. As well, the McGuinty government has buried its former Bill 62 which would change the rules regarding political party registration, in the 275-page Budget Bill.

“McGuinty campaigned on promises to reform our Legislature to give MPPs more power but he keeps dodging debate over his so-called democratic reforms,” said Mr. Sterling. “Actions speak louder than words so I only hope Ontarians are watching his actions so they won’t fall for his words again in the next election.”

Mr. Sterling concluded his statement by calling McGuinty’s democratic reforms “a farce.”

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For more information, please call Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling at: (416) 314-7900