CORNWALL – MPP Jim McDonell began collecting signatures from residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry for a petition aimed at stopping the Liberal government’s planned introduction of a Carbon Tax, despite the Premier ruling it out last June.

“Local families and businesses can’t afford another tax,” said MPP Jim McDonell. “Under this Liberal government the cost of living and providing for a family and running a business has soared. A carbon tax will drive up the price of all consumer goods by making production and transportation more expensive, impacting those most in need hardest and drive our remaining businesses out of business. Many residents on a fixed or low income can’t afford their energy, gas and food bills today. Our once strong manufacturing sector will once again be hit with an uncompetitive expense that their out of province competitors do not have to contend with. Premier Wynne’s plan for more taxes and higher prices shows just how out of touch her and her Liberal Party are with the reality of everyday life in Ontario.”

Ontario is facing the pressure of a growing debt load and a significant budget deficit.

“The Liberals’ carbon tax will accomplish nothing more than picking everyone’s pockets,” MPP Jim McDonell stated. “They refuse to acknowledge that their government has a spending problem that has saddled us with more debt than all other provinces combined. This revenue will only be used to pay for more scandals and reckless over-spending while key front-line services such as health and education continue to be cut”

The petition is available to download online at www.jimmcdonellmpp.ca/petitions and copies can be collected in the Cornwall constituency office.