It is a pattern that repeats again and again, those provinces which provide economic opportunity are led by fiscally prudent, right-leaning conservative governments. Of course, Alberta and Saskatchewan are beneficiaries of a wealth of natural resources, but their governments support policies that encourage development, growth and economic activity. Ontario used to be that way too.

Policies supporting economic growth took Ontario from last among provinces in growth in 1994 to first in 2000. Policies, which undermine economic growth, have taken Ontario from first in economic growth in 2002 to last in 2007 and probably 2008.

Made in Ontario limitations on our economy, coupled with serious international economic pressures, have taken their toll on our manufacturing base, which has lost 228,000 jobs in less than four years. I fear a recent easing in those pressures will give the McGuinty Liberals a false sense that our economy is near to finding its balance. It is not. International issues have not been solved nor have the root causes gone away. The international economy is far from finding its equilibrium.

The Ontario PCs are in the process of putting together an economic summit, calling together business leaders, academics, labour and government leaders to work together to improve our economy in Ontario. There are steps that can be taken to improve our economic climate, to lessen the blows brought by international pressures and to help displaced workers. Premier McGuinty refused to call together such a summit, so we are compelled by necessity to proceed.

The McGuinty Liberals appear convinced that none of Ontario's woes are homemade and so they are content to merely sit by, preach their 'Don't worry, be happy' mantra and wait for the international situation to change and prosperity to rain down upon us like manna from heaven.

I hate to burst their bubble, but Ontario doesn't have a divine right to a high standard of living. Ontarians built our economy and our prosperity through their belief that people gain success through hard work.

The McGuinty Liberals have hidden the corrosion of our workforce by greatly expanding the public service. The result is that growing unemployment is masked and taxpayers are asked to fund ever-rising costs of government, which produce a diminishing value to society.

There are a number of initiatives the government can undertake to improve Ontario's economic future such as lower corporate and business taxes, a reduction in the size of government and standardized regulations on business activity across all provinces. Currently some businesses in Canada are required to adhere to 10 different regulatory regimes of 10 different provinces. This can affect content, manufacturing, packaging and retailing of products and is, frankly, a daunting cost to businesses seeking to grow.

I hope our economic summit will force these issues into public debate and will result in our government laying the ground work for a solid economy rather than one which appears to be determined to undermine the efforts of a generation of hard-working Ontarians.