Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I rise in the House today to defend Ontario's senior citizens from the anti-senior policies of the McGuinty Liberals. First, Dalton cancelled the seniors' property tax credit that would have put $450 million more in the pockets of the seniors of Ontario each and every year. If this weren't enough, Dalton's assault on seniors has continued with broken promises that have hit the very heart of our seniors' population. He removed the cap on hydro rates after promising to keep the price cap until 2006. Higher hydro rates hurt seniors who are struggling to make ends meet. Dalton McGuinty is considering delisting drugs and increasing fees for the Ontario drug benefit plan, after promising to improve the system. This may be a trial balloon, but it's still floating.

Then there's the broken promise of cutting auto insurance rates by 10%. We all know this didn't happen because we're hearing examples of car insurance rates going up 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and even 70%. Again, this hurts seniors who can't afford the higher rates. So I ask Mr McGuinty and his Liberals, do you want seniors to give up their cars too and lose their independence?

I regret to inform the House that the assault on seniors doesn't stop there. In their latest move, the McGuinty Liberals are attacking not only seniors but the very facilities that take care of them. I'm referring to the new Liberal property tax increases for long-term-care facilities, which, if not resolved, will affect the ability of these facilities to pay for dietary, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance and repair services.

Enough is enough. The Premier must stop targeting our seniors today, here and now.