QUEEN’S PARK – Instead of using his latest Speech from the Throne to change course and finally provide a long-term plan for new leadership, spending restraint and job creation, Dalton McGuinty has chosen a “Same-old-same-old” Throne Speech that will ensure Ontario remains saddled with one of the worst jobs, tax and debt records in all of Canada. The 2010 Speech from the Throne follows in a long line of broken-promise riddled Liberal Throne Speeches, election platforms and budgets that have contributed to Ontario’s economic decline. Dalton McGuinty has previously been caught breaking commitments to not raise taxes, maintain balance budgets, to hire nurses, close coal plants and create long-term-care beds. Of equal concern to Ontario families is what is missing in the Speech from the Throne. Dalton McGuinty’s last Throne Speech failed to include any mention of the signature policy initiatives of the last two years, including the decision to waste hundreds of millions of dollars on Liberal-friendly consultants in the eHealth scandal, or the decision to impose a massive $3 billion HST tax grab on Ontario seniors, families and small businesses. QUOTES:

Tim Hudak, MPP for Niagara West – Glanbrook and Leader of the Ontario PC Party today issued the following statement on the decision to hold a coroner’s inquest into the death of Reilly Anzovino. “I am pleased to hear that there will finally be a full inquest into the tragic death of Reilly Anzovino. I hope that through this inquest, Reilly’s family receives the answers they need and the closure they deserve. “I promised the Anzovino family that I would use all of the tools available to my office to obtain answers about the circumstances that led to Reilly’s passing. I have raised this matter in the Legislature with both the Premier and the Minister of Health and will continue to do so. The Anzovinos, and all Fort Erie families deserve to know whether Reilly’s life could have been saved had the emergency room at Douglas Memorial Hospital remained open. “I was proud to join the public call for this over-due inquest and will continue fight on behalf of the families who are forced to watch their local frontline health care deteriorate in a time of unprecedented scandal and waste.”

Speaking to an assembly of farmers at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Thorold today, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak outlined the principles the Ontario PC Caucus continues to follow as they stand up for Ontario farmers. Citing examples like the Greenbelt Legislation and hikes in Ontario’s minimum wage, Hudak detailed how the McGuinty Government treats Ontario’s horticulture sector, and all Ontario farmers, as if they were an afterthought. Hudak also shared the priorities that Ontario farmers can expect from a PC Government. These priorities include: working with the industry to develop a risk management system that works for them, ensuring a strong trading relationship with the United States, and peeling back the growing regulatory burden and crippling tax system that punishes farmers. QUOTES: “I am proud to represent a riding where agriculture is one of our biggest employers. Farmers not only produce our food, they also anchor our rural economy and sustain thousands of jobs. They deserve to see some real respect in return.” -- Tim Hudak, Niagara West - Glanbrook MPP and Ontario PC Leader “Sadly, Dalton McGuinty continues to treat farmers as an afterthought. He has completely failed to provide an economic plan that ensures Greenbelt farmers have a sustainable future.”

Fonthill - Niagara West - Glanbrook MPP and Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak stopped by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 to meet with representatives and congratulate them on receiving an $8,700 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The next two months will be busy ones as the Legion begins renovations that will make the building even more accessible. Ellis Katsof, a volunteer with the Foundation, joined Mr. Hudak at the Legion and presented a plaque to President Don Cotter and other members of the executive. MPP Tim Hudak Presents Ontario Trillium Foundation Plaque: MPP Tim Hudak is joined by Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn and OTF Representative Ellis Katsof as he presents Fonthill Legion President Don Cotter with a plaque acknowledging their most recent Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant“The Fonthill Legion has a wonderful history of dedicated service to veterans and seniors along with its ongoing support for community projects,” Mr. Hudak said. “This grant will make the Legion more accessible for safe use by people of all abilities.”

Today, Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West-Glanbrook and Ontario PC Leader, called on the McGuinty Government to preserve all of environmentally sensitive lands essential to the survival of the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area in Stoney Creek. MPP Tim Hudak speaks at the Eramosa Karst Conservation AreaHudak was joined by the Friends of the Eramosa Karst (FOTEK) President, Mr. Brad Gautreau and other representatives, along with Hamilton City Councillor Brad Clark for this announcement. The Eramosa Karst is a beautiful and unique geological feature that is today used as a recreation area for local families as well and a source of education about Ontario’s natural history. The 185-acre Eramosa Karst Conservation Area’s preservation is dependent on the protection of the surrounding lands, which contain streams and features that feed the Karst. Hudak has written to the Minister of the Environment asking that a full environmental assessment be undertaken that will address all of the unique environmental sensitivities of the Eramosa Karst. Over the longer term, Hudak will be submitting private members legislation to designate of the adjacent feeder land as part of the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area.

February 18, 2010 The Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of the Environment 135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th Floor Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 Dear Minister Gerretsen, I am writing today to ask for your overdue intervention in an important matter that threatens irreplaceable natural heritage found within the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area in my riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook. Today the Eramosa Karst serves as both a beautiful recreation area for local families and remains a tremendous source of knowledge and learning about Ontario’s geological history for students from elementary to post-secondary school. If the Karst is damaged, undermined or destroyed – it is gone forever. All of the best wishes of the future will not be able to undo – one or two bad decisions made today. Today, I stand with families in Stoney Creek and the Hamilton area – as I have for the past three years – who want to see the Karst protected permanently. While the Karst itself is protected as a conservation area, it remains none the less threatened by the potential development of the 92 acres of provincially owned land that lie directly to the east. These lands – which are managed by the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) – contain surface streams that feed into the conservation area and are essential to maintaining the form and function of the karst.

Smithville, ON – Tim Hudak, MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook visited the West Lincoln Community Care Food Bank today to drop off non-perishable food items collected from his annual New Year’s Levee. MPP Tim Hudak delivers 100lbs of non-perishable goods accepted by Garry Warden, Program Manager of the West Lincoln Community Care Food Bank. The goods were collected at MPP Hudak's Annual New Year's Levee.This year’s levee, held at Angel’s Gate Winery in Beamsville, attracted more than 100 guests. As he does every year, Hudak asked all those who attended to donate non-perishable goods to support a local food bank. “Our West Niagara community recognized that some of their friends and neighbours are having a difficult time making ends meet these days. They were very generous in their support of West Lincoln Community Care,” Hudak said. “I am very proud of their contributions in this time of need.” “Having the support of Tim along with the local community means many families in West Lincoln will be able to enjoy a nutritious meal they would not have been able to afford,” Garry Warden, Program Manager at West Lincoln Community Care. “Each year we struggle to keep up with the demand for our services and contributions like this will go a long way.”

Beamsville – Dalton McGuinty issued notice on January 20 to the Niagara West Employment & Learning Resource Centre that funding for its employment services would be cut. This cut to services will eliminate popular programs such as their Job Finding Club and the Marketing Maturity program, intended for job seekers over the age of 40. The McGuinty Government’s decision to cut $200,000 in annual funding to West Niagara’s only employment support centre has left area residents with no local access to much needed employment support services. Area residents will now be forced to travel to either Hamilton or St. Catharines to access these much needed programs. This decision is a severe blow to West Niagara residents whose unemployment rates are at 10.8%, one of worst in Canada. QUOTES: "Dalton McGuinty's record of billion dollar boondoggles and economic mismanagement has cost hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ontario. Slashing much needed employment support at the Niagara West Employment Learning Centre shows that Dalton McGuinty is out of touch with Ontario families that need jobs. -- Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West – Glanbrook

QUEEN’S PARK – With the launch of province-wide pre-budget consultations today, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak called on Dalton McGuinty to put the brakes on his reckless spending habits and provide tax relief to hard working Ontario families and businesses in his 2010 budget. Hudak outlined three priorities the Ontario PC Caucus would like to see addressed in the budget to slow the rise of Dalton’s debt and address the jobs crisis: Tax relief targeted at job creation and helping Ontario families and seniors who stand to get hit the hardest by the HST; Capping spending this year to the levels targeted in the most recent budget; And reduction of red tape through the re-instatement of the Red Tape Commission. QUOTES: “Dalton McGuinty is currently spending $2.8 million dollars more every single hour than his government is receiving in revenue. If this undisciplined and reckless management of Ontario’s finances is allowed to continue, Dalton McGuinty will soon double the provincial debt.” -- Ontario PC Leader, Tim Hudak “I look forward to getting feedback from my Caucus colleagues on these consultations and the advice they receive from business owners and industry leaders on getting Ontario growing again.” -- Ontario PC Leader, Tim Hudak QUICK FACTS:

By now we have all the seen devastation in Haiti caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake that hit the developing nation. I join with the residents of Niagara West – Glanbrook in offering our thoughts and prayers to the earthquake victims and the various emergency personnel from around the world who are coming to their assistance. The Province of Ontario is providing $1 million for immediate emergency aid to help Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake. The money will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross as part of the global assistance effort.  In addition, Ontario has offered to assist the federal government with personnel and equipment. Ontario is also offering its expertise in healthcare, search and rescue, forensic services and clean drinking water. It is encouraging to see the response from citizens, governments, relief organizations and so many others who want to help our neighbours in Haiti. The Haitian situation reminds us of how fortunate we are. How you can help locally: * Grand Avenue Public in Grimsby is hosting a spaghetti dinner Jan.25 with all proceeds going towards the Canadian Red Cross' Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Doors open a 5 p.m. for entertainment followed by dinner from 5:30-6:30. Minimum suggested donation is $8 for adults and $4 for children.