Thompson promises to do legwork to keep track of decisions that affect local residents

File photo.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News HURON COUNTY – Decisions on rural issues like renewable energy development and slots at raceways can’t be left to bureaucrats while the Legislature is prorogued, says Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, the morning after Ontario’s premier Dalton McGuinty announced his resignation at an emergency meeting of his caucus.

“The Energy Ministry could go rampant with crazy approvals that we no longer have a chance to debate with regards to their green energy plan. I’m nervous about what’s going to be happening in the next couple of months,” she said.

“I no longer have an opportunity to hold the government accountable for their actions in the Legislature,” Thompson said.

While all parties scramble after Ontario’s premier made the surprise announcement, Thompson says she’ll be back in the riding trying to stay on top of priorities for her constituents, trying to work with senior bureaucrats and constituency offices of provincial ministers in order to be aware of decisions that will affect Huron-Bruce residents.

McGuinty called the emergency meeting shortly after 6 p.m. last night, and with his wife, Terri, sitting in the front row he announced his resignation as leader of the Ontario Liberal party but will remain as leader until a convention can be held.

“After 16 years as leader of the Ontario Liberal party and after nine years as premier, it’s time for renewal. It’s time for the next Liberal premier. It’s time for the next set of Liberal ideas to guide our province forward,” he said.

Earlier, he visited Lieut.-Gov. David Onley to request he prorogue the Ontario Legislature, saying it would give the government time to work two strategies: negotiate wage freeze agreements with labour and meet with Opposition to put in place legislation for a wage freeze.

“At the end of the day, I was so much disappointed and surprised by the announcement because there is so much work to be done,” Thompson said. “The rug has been pulled out from all of us.”

She said the Legislature has prorogued at a time when there’s to be done to quell the labour unrest, reduce debt and resolve scandals like ORNGE and the gas plants cancellation. Scheduled hearings in the finance committee over the closure of gas plants in Mississauga and Oakville will be cancelled as will all other legislative business.

The Legislature will be prorogued until a new Liberal leader is in place, which some estimate to be as far as four months away. Committees to review bills had not been struck because the parties in the minority government could not agree on composition.

Thompson was on bereavement following the death of her father, Sydney Thompson, on Oct. 6. PC Leader Tim Hudak attended the funeral last week.