Conservative Party of Ontario Election Platform : Toronto's News Magazine: Toronto Tribune October 2007

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The Conservative Party of Ontario Platform

Arts

A Time For Action: Ontario Arts and Culture

John Tory and the PC Party of Ontario will not promise what can’t be delivered. We will only commit to initiatives that can truthfully be implemented.

John Tory has personally involved himself in fostering arts and culture in Ontario by serving as Director of the Canadian Art Foundation, as Vice-Chair of the Canadian Film Centre fundraising campaign, and by supporting the CanStage Theatre Company where his wife, Barbara Hackett, serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.

John Tory and the PC Party of Ontario understand the value of culture to our youth, our personal well-being and especially to our economy. Unlike Dalton McGuinty, a John Tory government will keep its word, achieve results and will implement a series of innovative initiatives that will foster this important sector. This includes the following initiatives:

Income Averaging

We will work with the federal government to provide tax relief to full-time artists. Failing federal support to implement income averaging, a John Tory government will work with artists and their representative organizations to develop a credit program to address the unique income flows of their profession.

Protecting Child Actors

Children with the ability and opportunity to work in the performing arts professions often have incredibly rewarding and enriching experiences. However, it is important to remember they are still children, in need of protection, guidance, accommodation and an understanding work environment. We will introduce legislation that will accomplish this.

Changing the Timing of the Film and Media Tax Credits and Review Credits

We will advance up to 50% of the Film and Media Tax Credit. This will increase the competitiveness of our film industry significantly.

Topping up the Ontario Cultural Attraction Fund

Our commitment to culture includes the understanding that for our province to possess a creative edge, it requires an ability to both promote our cultural events beyond local markets and attract traveling international events to Ontario. The replenishment of this fund will allow for self-financing cultural events to continue and succeed.

Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Funding

To support and grow the work of the OAC, we would protect the current and future funding commitments (increased funding of $15 million by 2009-10). We will also ensure the OAC receives 3-year tranche commitments from the government. Such an investment and funding pledge will ensure the Council has the ability to continue its valued programs and position the Council for sustained growth and influence.

Three-year Commitment Funding for Arts institutions and Major Attractions

No longer will major cultural institutions or events such as Caribana, Stratford and Shaw festivals, Sunfest in London, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the new Luminato arts festival in Toronto and institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and others not have a stable source of funding to plan their operations.

These three year commitments will be established through consultation with cultural organizations to establish core funding needs that will take into account core cost pressures.

Prohibit Advertising in the LCBO magazine

John Tory believes the Ontario magazine industry has enough competitive pressure without having to contend with competition from a publication underwritten by a government-controlled monopoly. A John Tory government would immediately issue instructions prohibiting the sale of advertising in LCBO publications, thereby releasing millions in annual advertising dollars to this important creative sector.

Ontario Youth and Culture Passport

The Ontario Youth and Culture Passport Program would enable any youth under the age of 20 to access cultural institutions of the province such as: the Royal Ontario Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Botanical Gardens, Science North, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Ontario Science Centre, the Grand Theatre in London, the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford and other important regional arts and cultural institutions around the province.

Youth and Culture Ticket Clearing House

A John Tory government will create a Youth and Culture Ticket Clearing House. In supportive urban centres across the province, we will establish clearinghouses to distribute donated tickets to youth who would not otherwise have access to cultural events. Modeled after a suggestion in the City of Toronto’s 2003 Culture Plan for a Creative City, we realize there are several cities across Ontario with the cultural density to support such an initiative.

Voluntary Arts Contribution via Ontario Tax Credit form

We believe that the donating option should be expanded on income tax forms to include a new choice, the Ontario Arts and Culture Fund. Similar to tax form initiatives in California, this fund would collect any gifts and distribute them among cultural and artistic agencies of Ontario.

Premier’s Council on Arts, Culture and Creative Cities and Towns

The Council will be comprised of the principals of notable cultural agencies such as the Ontario Arts Council, and will include representation from groups such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. By bringing together these groups to advise John Tory as Premier, we will create a more defined network between the arts and cultural communities and government and will foster a greater sense of recognition that arts and culture provide important considerations in the development of public policy.

Commemorating the War of 1812

We will provide $2 million to establish a War of 1812 commemorative commission that will coordinate the celebration and commemoration of this important moment in Ontario’s history. The war touched many communities and locations; Windsor, London, Ancaster, St. Catharines, Burlington, Kingston and present day Toronto to name only a few. The aftermath helped lay the groundwork for the future nation of Canada. Such a commemoration is a rare cultural event that offers opportunities for tourist and cultural growth throughout the province and is an even more rare occasion to host and create an international cultural-tourist event.

Encouraging Tourism in Toronto and in Ontario

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said a PC Government would implement a real plan for tourism in Ontario that will include long-term funding for the industry and improve Ontario’s economy, including the Niagara region.

“Thousands upon thousands of local Niagara residents make their living directly or indirectly through tourism. Their efforts have brought millions of tourists to our province,” said Tory. “Yet today Ontario’s tourism industry is lagging. Instead of looking for new ways to partner with the sector, Dalton McGuinty instead found $32 million in year-end political slush fund money that, as pointed out by the Auditor General, often to people who didn’t even need the money – all at the drop of a hat.”

Tory made the comments after touring the Niagara Falls Skylon Tower, a popular local tourist attraction, with PC Candidate Bart Maves (Niagara Falls) and PC MPP Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln). Tory pointed to a current advertising campaign as proof of Dalton McGuinty’s lack of commitment to boosting tourism.

“The timing of these ads is suspicious and they do precious little to promote Ontario tourism,” said Tory. “Instead of encouraging people to visit all the great tourist attractions in Ontario, these ads are a blatant attempt at self-promotion from a government that is desperate for votes.”

Tory said a John Tory PC Government provide real leadership for the tourism industry and will:

Provide stable long-term funding to the tourism sector through five and ten year agreements;
Improve Canada-U.S. border crossings and work with Americans to find alternatives to the troubling new American passport requirements.
Make sensible short-term investments in key cultural events and festivals that draw tourism traffic to Ontario;
Work in partnership with tourism operators to improve training, skills base and regulatory climate in the tourism industry; and
Increase our advertising budget to be in line with other provinces.
Unlike Dalton McGuinty, who spends taxpayers’ money promoting himself to Ontarians, we will invest at least 75 per cent of all advertising spending to promote Ontario to the world – all year round, with a focus on the important American market,” said Tory.
“Government can and should be doing better to promote Ontario’s tourism sector,” said Tory. “If we want government to be a real partner in this industry, then leadership matters.”

Environmental Policy for Ontario

1. Setting real short-term and long-term targets

2011: Lower the energy consumption of government offices by another 10% by 2011.

2012-2016: Establish sectoral working groups to help set specific deliverables for 2012 and 2016.

These groups will figure out how to reach our environmental and economic goals and not to argue about whether or not there should be targets.
This means encouraging change through new financial incentives for consumers. Rebates to get old things off the road or old machines unplugged and recycled are already succeeding. We need more.
Enshrining new standards – like raising the standards for the building code.
Removing regulatory barriers to technological innovation that would be environmentally positive like solar thermal generation projects. We want to send the message that innovation is welcome here.

2020: Reduce Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions by an initial 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.

2050: Work toward an overall goal of reducing green house gas emissions by 60% below 1990 levels, bringing our total down to 72 Megatonnes by 2050.

Ontario accounts for about 30% of the national total of green house gas emissions arising from energy production and consumption according to the National Roundtable.
In 2003, Ontario’s 30% of the national total amounted to 180 Megatonnes.

A John Tory government will create an on-going scorecard to measure provincial environmental progress and make it easily accessible to the public. We will back up these targets with specific four-year plans.

2. Eliminate high-emission government vehicles

A John Tory Government will implement a rapid and comprehensive renewal of the Government of Ontario’s fleet of vehicles to ensure that they meet the highest standards for fuel efficiency and draw upon options such as E85 fuel.
The government has a fleet of approximately 6,000 vehicles. By converting these to the most efficient vehicles on the road, not only will we help reduce emissions and save the environment, but also create a market for participation by the public.
More government E85 vehicles means more E85 at the pumps which means more real Ontarians can take advantage of this more ecologically friendly fuel.
The government leases, it doesn’t own – which will allow us to get things done for the environment faster.
Showing true leadership by accelerating the phase out of old higher-emission vehicles in the government fleet and replacing them with the new higher-standard models will:
Mean the government is making significant contribution of its own.
It can create momentum in both the automobile and fuel marketplace that will make it easier for more individual car owners to use more fuel efficient vehicles
In 2004 the McGuinty Liberals promised that the government’s more than 5,900 vehicles in its passenger and light truck fleet were “gradually being updated with newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” with an announcement of 84 more efficient vehicles (8 hybrid pickups, 26 other hybrid vehicles, 30 dual-fuel and 20 propane). That doesn’t account for the other 98.6% of government vehicles.

3. Purchase more green power for government use

A John Tory Government will purchase more renewable, green energy as part of a secure supply mix.
Many companies promote green energy and they make it easy. Public sector organizations like the town of Caledon (in John Tory’s riding), AMO as well as large Private Sector companies like Wal-Mart and Cadbury are promoting green energy by supporting these kinds of companies. A John Tory government will make the same innovative choices.

4. Make new government buildings 30 percent more energy efficient

A John Tory Government will ensure all new government buildings adhere to a standard that is at least 30% more efficient than what we have today.
Every year across Ontario the government cuts the ribbon on a new school, new hospital, or a new day care facility. Simply put we are going to make each of those buildings more efficient, 30 percent more efficient using materials and technology.
We will also evaluate ways to find greater energy efficiencies within the government’s current buildings – for example the numerous vacated government buildings which the McGuinty Liberals continue to heat, despite the fact the doors are closed.

5. Adopt higher energy-efficient standards for government offices

A John Tory Government will lead the way on high efficiency appliances. Be it light bulbs or computers, government offices will adhere to the highest standards.
According the government there are over 60,000 individuals working in the Ontario Public Service. That’s lot of computers, fax machines, and photocopiers – it also represents a lot of potential energy savings.
Replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lights would allow government to both reduce its energy consumption and cost, while reducing greenhouse gasses.
In Toronto alone, the government occupies 10 million square feet of office space that is equal to approximately 20,000 light bulbs (2 per 100 square feet) many of which could be converted to conserve energy and protect our environment.

6. Reduce government energy use during peak periods

A John Tory Government will lead the way on mitigating our energy use during peak periods.
We will adopt a labour strategy that takes better advantage of flex-time and teleconferencing and other ways to reduce both mass energy dependence and unnecessary public sector travel.
With over 60,000 public servants going to work everyday, just by changing our habits we can make a positive impact on items like peak energy demand and terrible environmental impacts of gridlock.
A John Tory government would look at innovative solutions like ‘telecommuting’ to cut down on commutes and reduce emissions while at the same time saving taxpayer dollars by reducing the need for expensive office space.
In the United States, Sun Microsystems claims it has saved more than $70 million U.S. in corporate real estate costs by implementing its I-Work distributed work model (telecommuting).

A John Tory PC Government will implement a Made-in-Ontario Toxin Reduction strategy, working closely with the federal government, which will encourage businesses in Ontario to reduce or remove toxic substances in their products.

HOW IT WILL WORK

The toxin reduction strategy will require that businesses develop plans to reduce, replace or eliminate the toxins they use in their products. These businesses will also have to make the toxins they use public and periodically update their plans.
A John Tory government will work hard with Ontario businesses to help them achieve success through this strategy. We will look at methods such as a Toxic Contaminant Reduction Fund to provide grants or targeted tax credits to incent businesses to reduce their use of toxins wherever possible.
Our plan draws from successful programs in other jurisdiction (ex. Massachusetts, Oregon and New Jersey) but it will be made-in -Ontario, respecting the unique characteristics of Ontario’s economy.
The toxin reduction strategy will be based on the Federal governments list of toxic substances. It will build on federal regulatory advances by putting them into action in a practical way and it will be constantly harmonized with those advances to ensure seamless and consistent application.
The John Tory toxin reduction strategy is unique because it actively partners with business. At the same time it will clean up our environment and better protect our health.