Elephants in a very small room

RE: WYNNE’S THE BEST GOVERNMENT SINCE DAVIS (MAY 19)

Even as a progressive, sometimes-Liberal voter who approves of many of this government’s policies, I was blown away by John Barber’s wilfully blind partisan analysis of the reasons for Kathleen Wynne’s predicament. He managed to tiptoe around two elephants in a very small room.

First, the privatization of Hydro One. Who wanted that? According to polls, no one. With borrowing rates in the low single digits, raising cash by selling off an asset earning 10 per cent-plus is bizarre. Economically, both common sense and the Financial Accountability Office say it’s short-term gain for long-term pain. Politically, just remember the 407.

Second, our debt. In an otherwise progressive and equity-focused government, intergenerational equity has been largely ignored. Our children, too young to vote and as-yet unborn, are being stuck with the bill for today’s spending, even as we experience robust economic and employment growth. That is irresponsible and unjust. Polls show voters of all stripes are worried, and this is the key point Barber missed in praising the government’s otherwise effective policy-making.

This province is on the right track in so many ways, but if Liberals want to know why the premier is in trouble, just imagine what a different election this would be without our heavy debt and Doug Ford’s “$6-million man.” Jeff Cassidy, Hamilton