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Premier met with pressure over cabinet By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF En route to introducing Premier Dalton McGuinty at an Oakville Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday, chair Wendy Rinella mentioned it has been 28 years since Oakville has had a cabinet minister at Queen's Park. When asked about the long drought in a media scrum afterward, McGuinty said it was not possible to add another MPP into the cabinet at this time. "I'm blessed with so much talent and here's Exhibit A, standing to my left," McGuinty said of Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. "What we did for this cabinet, we dramatically reduced its size. So it's not possible to bring all those folks who I'd like to have there." McGuinty praised Flynn, saying the Oakville MPP gives politicians "a good name," and said he was proud to have Flynn on his team. McGuinty was in town to speak at an Oakville Chamber luncheon event, addressing hundreds of guests at a packed Oakville Conference Centre. The premier spent the earlier part of the day at Ford of Canada headquarters in Oakville where he met with the automaker's new president and CEO, Dianne Craig, speaking about the importance of the company to Ontario. In addressing the crowd at the luncheon, McGuinty said the Province is proud that Ontario has been the largest producer of cars in North 3 · Wednesday, February 8, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com PHOTOS BY GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CONNECTING IN OAKVILLE: Ford of Canada President Dianne Craig, left, officially introduced Premier Dalton McGuinty at an Oakville Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday. McGuinty stopped at Ford earlier in the day to meet with Craig in a visit that was not open to the media. At right, Habitat for Humanity Halton executive director Anne Swarbrick talks affordable housing with the Premier. However, the premier noted the deficit was necessary. It was created during the recession when government revenues declined but the need for government support went up. McGuinty said the government decided to support families through the time of job loss, but now that spending needs to be reversed. "Just as it was right for our government to run deficits to protect people from the worst of that economic storm, now that the storm is over, it is right to re-dedicate ourselves to our plan to America for eight years running, with Ford being a key contributor. Aside from the strong auto sector, McGuinty said he is proud of Ontario's business sector as a whole. He thanked all business people for their work because, he said, they create jobs, which support families. McGuinty also spoke about creating a strong economy, including things the government will need to do, such as eliminating the current deficit, slated at $16 billion this year. eliminate that deficit," he said. McGuinty added spending beyond our means must stop, which will help bring back confidence in the province. Confidence is a key component of the economy, he said. Businesses need confidence to do business, as do foreign investors. So, the government will find ways to reduce spending. "Healthcare, which accounts for 42 per cent of program spending, is overflowing with opportunities for reform," the Premier told the gathering. He said half of government spending in that sector is on wages and salaries -- this consists of people such as nurses, doctors, teachers, water and meat inspectors, who all need to do a good job. However, the Province will address salary expenditures in the years ahead, he said. McGuinty spoke about creating a strong economy by using Ontario's fundamental strengths. Those fundamentals are province's tax and regulatory environment, power grid, infrastructure, its work force and the willingness of Ontarians to work and build together. The Province has made a number of tax changes, including those to make it easier for businesses, said McGuinty. "To make sure Ontario is competitive, we have eliminated capital taxes and reduced corpoSee Planning page 11 Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 www.peterwatsoninvestments.com