NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says today marks a dark day in Ontario’s economic history as the province officially joins the have-not ranks by accepting its first-ever equalization payment from the federal government.

“In just five-and-a half-years, Dalton McGuinty has managed to tank Canada’s economic engine. He and his government are now running it into the ground at breakneck speed and it’s hardworking Ontarians who are paying the price,” Horwath said.

“Ontario was once Canada’s economic powerhouse, but today we are losing jobs at a rate of more than 30,000 per month – thanks to the McGuinty government’s poor choices and stunning economic mismanagement.”

Earlier today, Ontario received an electronic transfer of $14.46-million from the federal government’s equalization program. It is the first of 24 payments the province will receive this fiscal year. The program is designed to allocate funds to the poorest Canadian provinces to allow them to provide social services equivalent to those of richer provinces.

“Ontario once had a thriving manufacturing sector. But through ill-conceived policies, Dalton McGuinty has led us into ‘have-not’ status,” said Horwath.

“That Ontario is now on the receiving end of nearly $350-million in aid from the federal government ought to shock Ontarians. If the McGuinty government had made smarter decisions during the good times, we wouldn’t find ourselves in such dire straits.”