McGuinty won’t say if wage freeze opposed by PCs, NDP will be a confidence vote

TORONTO – Premier Dalton McGuinty won’t say if his minority government will declare legislation to impose a wage freeze on nearly half a million public sector workers a matter of confidence.

The Progressive Conservatives have said they can’t vote for a “weak” wage freeze bill that exempts municipalities, which means police, firefighters and public transit workers will not be covered.

McGuinty says he won’t extend legislation to cover municipalities or open existing labour contracts _ another Tory demand _ and he knows the NDP will vote to defeat any wage freeze.

However, he intentionally ducked the question today of whether the legislation would be a confidence vote, meaning its defeat would trigger another election.

McGuinty says the wage freeze for 481,000 workers in the broader public sector is a key part of his government’s plan to eliminate a $14.8 billion deficit.

Unions have vowed to challenge the wage freeze bill in court, and the NDP warn it will cost taxpayers even more in the long run if the legislation is struck down, as they predict.