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It is shocking to see Premier Doug Ford’s priorities when it comes to spending our tax dollars.
Premier Ford aims to get more alcohol into the hands of as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. To that end, Mr. Ford is spending $200 million of taxpayer dollars to get out of the contract with Ontario Beer Stores.
Now grocery stores, corner stores and gas stations will take part in the “gold rush” to make it easier for the people of Ontario to drink more.
Will there be as much money spent checking that the corner stores are not selling alcohol to children, for more police to catch drunk drivers or more money to fund domestic abuse prevention programs or women's shelters?
Premier Ford also wants to spend $300 million for an underground parking lot at Ontario Place in support of a private spa developer. Arguing that it will need the extra parking for a relocated Ontario Science Centre (a replacement that will be half the size of the existing centre).
Why do we need to move the Science Centre? Because of underfunding on its repairs and its upkeep, the Science Centre is now reported to be unsafe. However, other architects and structural engineers have stated that a closure is not necessary.
Sadly, Mr. Ford would rather give a private developer $300 million than fix the problem that he created.
Everyone recognizes that times are tight. People can’t find affordable places to live. There are homeless camps and homeless people walking all the downtowns in Ontario.
People are feeling the pinch of higher food costs. Everything seems to be more expensive.
Surely there are much better ways to spend our hard-earned tax dollars than wasting half a billion dollars on the Beer Stores and building a parking lot for a private developer.
David Howell
Orillia
