Premier Dalton McGuinty visits London tomorrow, out to gather advice on his rookie Liberal government's budget woes and soften criticism over backwheeling on its promises. Full details of the visit still weren't firmed up, but among McGuinty's stops will be the Free Press editorial board.
Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco, her council set to begin its own budget talks shortly, said she'd be asking if there's a chance to talk to McGuinty.
"I've spoken to him a few times since the election," she said. "We clearly want to have a strong working relationship with the province and especially the local MPPs."
Labour Minister Chris Bentley (London West), who will accompany the premier, described the visit as part of the government's pre-budget consultations.
Since taking office last fall, the Liberals have been forced to rejig priorities -- shelving or postponing some key election promises -- to deal with a surprise, $5.6-billion budget deficit left over from the previous Conservative government.
"I think it's an extremely difficult time for the province," said Bentley.
"We have a big mess on our hands and a lot of plans. It's a big job and we have to get on with it," he added.
He said McGuinty is "getting out and into the communities" to hear from people as the government gears up for its first budget.
The Liberals have already moved on some promises, such as scrapping tax breaks promised by the Tories, calling an inquiry into the shooting of Dudley George and announcing an increase in Ontario's minimum wage.
But the budget shortfall has cast other big-ticket vows in doubt, mainly in the key areas of education and health care, and more budget problems at the former Ontario Hydro have paved the way to scrap a vow to maintain a price cap on electricity for homeowners.
Bentley defended the government's approach, saying it's not a question of back-tracking on promises but the "schedule" on which they can be delivered.
"It will just take longer to clean up the mess before we can get on with (our platform)."
Bentley said there was "great hope" the day after the Oct. 2 election "that we would be able to implement every piece of our platform, and it was probably unrealistic to think everything could be implemented on Day One."
