QUEEN'S PARK - Monday, March 19 marks the return of the Ontario Legislature from its winter recess and Erie-Lincoln MPP Tim Hudak will use the return of the House to focus on the priorities of Niagara and Hamilton taxpayers.

"This may be the last chance we get before the election," said Hudak. "I plan a full court press on issues of importance to working families and seniors in Niagara and Hamilton such as better health care, fighting crime and better roads and highways."

During the upcoming session, some local issues Hudak plans to pursue include:

* Pressing for accelerated construction of the Mid-Peninsula Highway. The McGuinty Government has effectively put the highway into reverse meaning that construction is still 10-15 years away under the current pace;

* Standing up for the rule of law in Caledonia and fighting for more Justices of the Peace to help police officers do their job more effectively;

* Stepping up pressure on the Ministry of Environment to aggressively pursue enforcement measures against the paper sludge mountain in Fenwick;

* Seeking provincial funding to spray gypsy moths that are destroying trees in the area; and

* Pushing for the Greenbelt Foundation to better invest in greenbelt farmers, tourism operators greenbelt municipalities and to relocate the Greenbelt Foundation office outside of downtown Toronto and into an actual greenbelt municipality.

It may also be the last opportunity for Hudak's Private Member's Bills to receive a final vote in the Legislature. The McGuinty Government has stalled votes on:

1. The Ontario VQA Wine Stores Act (Bill 7), which passed a second reading vote in March, 2005. It would create a parallel system of wine stores featuring Ontario's award winning VQA wines and

2. The Homestead Act (Bill 75), which passed a second reading vote in April 2006. The Homestead Act would cap skyrocketing assessment increases at 5% per year and had support from the PC and NDP caucuses and 11 Liberal MPPs who broke ranks with Premier McGuinty to support Hudak's Bill.

3. The Direct Election of the Niagara Regional Chair Act, (Bill 163) also stands in Hudak's name but has not yet had a second reading vote. If passed, the Bill would bring greater democracy to Niagara's regional government by having the Regional Chair directly elected by taxpayers rather than a group of 30 councilors. Direct election of the Chair currently occurs in Kitchener-Waterloo and Halton Regions.

"I look forward to support from Niagara and Hamilton taxpayers as well as area MPPs to move these initiatives forward," said Hudak. "With a provincial election in seven months, this may be Dalton McGuinty's last chance to finally act on these important matters."

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Contact:

Tim Hudak, MPP