Rare summer session begins at Queen’s Park

(Update)

Opposition parties had their first opportunity to question the government since the election as Queen’s Park began regular business today. But it’s rare for that to happen in July.

After today, we can see the tone this government will take. The opposition keeps hammering at the $12.5 billion deficit that the Liberals have promised to eliminate by 2018 — wondering how the government can afford to spend on infrastructure and transportation for example, unless it plans to fire public sector workers or raise taxes.

It didn’t take long for the niceties at question period to turn ugly.

Jim Wilson, interim PC leader: “Best wishes. But not too many best wishes.”

The Liberals plan to re-introduce their May budget next Monday, and pass it within a couple weeks. But opposition parties asked how the government will eliminate the deficit while planning to spend more; last week credit rating agency Moody’s changed Ontario’s outlook to negative based on the same concern.

Wilson: “What other front line services are you going to cut or what taxes will you increase?”

Wynne: “I’m not sure, if he’s asking for more or less spending.”

PC leaders met over the weekend to talk about how long Jim Wilson’s name will stay on the door to the party leader’s office. They formed a committee to plan the leadership convention — some of them want to hold it at the beginning of next year, some want to wait even longer — after all the party did finish the election deeply in debt.

The NDP will hold a leadership review in November to decide whether Andrea Horwath will keep her job. The premier seems contemptuous towards her.

Horwath: “They don’t want PC’s to fire 100-thousand people, but it’s OK for the Liberals to fire 100-thousand people?”

Wynne: “Again, I think she’s looking for any reason to justify why she didn’t support our budget.”

At times, the chamber was rowdy with catcalls — and NDP members were particular targets.

Wynne: “For her to stand up now — to distance herself is ridiculous. She based her platform on the same information.”

It’s really strange to have Queen’s Park sitting in July but the Liberals plan to take their summer break after the budget passes and return in October.