NDP Leader Howard Hampton says Dalton McGuinty’s so-called fiscal “restraint” package is a cruel and insulting joke for families in Northern Ontario.

“This so-called ‘restraint’ package shows how out of touch the McGuinty Liberals are with the North, what’s happening in our forest industry communities and the kind of leadership that’s needed to put our communities back on the right track. People are more important than pay hikes for politicians,” Hampton said.

Yesterday, the McGuinty Liberals released a “restraint” package meant to limit spending on public salaries during the current economic crisis. But instead of practising restraint, Dalton McGuinty is giving himself and his MPPs a 1.5 per cent pay raise.

Today in the Legislature, Hampton blasted McGuinty and his insulting “restraint” package.

“The Premier is giving himself a $3,000 salary increase under the so-called veil of austerity. That’s an insult to hard-working Ontarians like the 130 at Longlac Wood Industries who just yesterday found out their jobs are gone for good. How does the Premier’s pay increase help these Ontarians?” Hampton asked the Premier.

Hampton said when it comes to sharing the wealth, Dalton McGuinty has a troubling double standard – a $3,000 raise for himself, but nothing for Northern families who are struggling through day after day job losses.

“McGuinty is padding his own wallet on the backs of laid-off forestry workers. When these workers needed him the most, he decided to look after himself first,” said Hampton.