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.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton today welcomed news that the provincial and federal governments will be spending more than $6-billion on long-awaited infrastructure projects across Ontario, but wondered why it took so long for the agreement to be reached.

It's the midway mark of the fall legislative session and Dalton McGuinty still hasn't figured out people want him to stand up for working families - not bicker, squabble and break promises.

That's the message NDP Leader Howard Hampton delivered today in Question Period, the final Question Period before MPPs leave for the fall constituency week.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton says Dalton McGuinty should stop squabbling with Ottawa long enough to spend federal housing and tuition relief money that’s gathering dust in the bank.

“Every day, the working women and men of Ontario do their best to make ends meet. They look to their provincial government to provide leadership that will help them in their day-to-day lives. But today, all they see is politicians in Ottawa and Queen’s Park exchanging insults and passing the buck,” Hampton said.