Election: Arbus on slush

NEWS RELEASE

JEFF ARBUS NDP CANDIDATE SAULT STE. MARIE

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SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Sault Ste. Marie NDP candidate said the NDP is Jeff Arbus is committed to replacing McGuinty’s closed-door application process to government funds with a fair, open and transparent application process for all groups in Ontario applying for government funding, referring to Dalton McGuinty’s slush fund scandal.

“There are many community organizations in Ontario that serve thousands of Ontario families. It is unfair and unacceptable that because they are not connected to the Liberal party and the premier’s office, they are not eligible for government funds,” Arbus said. “McGuinty turned $32 million in public funds into a slush fund for his friends.”

Arbus made the comments on the day of commemoration at the Hindu Samaj Temple and community centre in Hamilton.

On September 15, 2001, arsonists set the temple on fire in Ontario’s worst post-9/11 hate crime.

The McGuinty government refused to fund the crucial re-building effort of the temple.

“It is outrageous that McGuinty refused to help rebuild a respected institution that is supported by the community and that fell victim to this province’s worst post 9-11 hate crime, while at the same time he gave $1 million to a cricket club that only asked for $150,000,” Arbus said.

“Ontarians deserve more than McGuinty’s broken promises and closed door policies that benefit only friends. The NDP is committed to fairness for all Ontarians and will make sure that scandalous slush funds are frozen and replaced with a fair, open and transparent approach that will allow all groups to apply for government funding.”

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