McGuinty Lie re Local Democracy

     Many people in the City of Kawartha Lakes (formerly Victoria County) voted for the Liberals because of McGuinty's promise regarding their referendum on de-amalgamation.

     As Leader of the Opposition, McGuinty had promised: I have committed that a Liberal government will ensure a binding referendum is held to allow local citizens to determine whether to dismantle the amalgamated city ....this is indicative of how strongly residents feel about their communities. They deserve to have a say in how their communities will be governed. Ontario Liberals will place the decision-making power where it belongs--with local residents." Full letter

     The referendum was held.McGuinty now refuses to be bound by the result of a democratic vote More details

---

McGuinty's promise

	Subject:addressing your concerns
	Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 12:00:58 -0500
	From: Dalton_McGuinty-MPP@ontla.ola.org
                    To: laboldt@sympatico.ca

	Dear Ms. Boldt:

	Thank you very much for your recent e-mail. It’s always good to hear from
	you. I regret that I was unable to respond to you sooner.

	I appreciate the important concerns you raised on behalf of VOCO. What I
	conveyed to reporters during my visit to Peterborough last October was the
	same message I have consistently relayed to all Ontarians: Ontario Liberals
	believe in local democracy. We believe that the best solutions are local
	solutions and that local residents should have the right to decide on the
	future of their municipality. We also realize that each Ontario community is
	unique and that a "one-size-fits-all" dictated policy from the Premier's
	office is not optimal for our municipalities.

	In my statement, I did not commit to restoring Victoria County. That is up
	to the people of Victoria County. I simply committed to ensuring that local
	people would have the right to decide on the future of their municipality.

	With respect to reversing a past amalgamation, the Ontario Liberal position
	Is to allow a local referendum when there is a substantial demonstration of
	Public support. I stated on my visit to Victoria County in October 2001 that
	 the petition campaign there has clearly met this threshold. On that basis, I
	have committed that a Liberal government will ensure a binding referendum is
	held to allow local citizens to determine whether to dismantle the
	amalgamated city.

	I realize how difficult the amalgamation of the new City of Kawartha Lakes
	has been for Victoria County residents. To me this is indicative of how
	strongly residents feel about their communities. They deserve to have a say
	in how their communities will be governed. Ontario Liberals will place the
	decision-making power where it belongs--with local residents.

	Ms. Boldt, I hope thas clears up any misunderstanding. Thanks again for
	sharing the concerns of VOCO's members with me. I value your input and
	welcome it on any future issue.

	Yours truly,

	Dalton McCuinty, MPP
	Leader of the Official Opposition
	Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party