Sorbara tests the water at Queen's Park

Provincial Finance Minister prepares for Dalton McGuinty's government's first budget

Next week, Dalton McGuinty's cabinet will present its first budget. For Liberals, that's something that has not happened since 1990, under Bob Nixon as Finance Minister. Next week the Liberals will once again tell the voters of Ontario how they plan to enact their economic and social agenda. The weight of this initiative lies on the whole cabinet of Premier McGuinty, but first and foremost on Finance Minister Greg Sorbara.
Days before the important event, we interviewed the first Italian-Canadian ever to occupy such a prestigious post.
Minister Sorbara, are you worried?
"I'm too busy to be worried. For sure, I'm concentrated. This is a very important moment in my life; being the minister of Finance is a honour but a lot of work. I believe in this Province, in this government. If there's a worry I have, it's to avoid failure. Failure is not an option."
We know that you like baseball. Is there anything in baseball with which this moment could be compared?
"Rather than baseball, I'd compare it with a Broadway premiere."
We're not asking for specifics, but what message does your budget send?
"The message is that what we do is being done in order to ensure the economic growth of our Province in future years. This budget must create the conditions for Ontario to respond to change and internal as well as international stimuli."
Any indication?
"For instance, the NDP government made a complete mistake in Floyd Laughrin's first budget. They weren't in bad faith, only mistaken. They increased expenditure during a deep recession, almost a depression. I don't want to repeat that mistake. If I make a mistake on one programme, I can correct course at a later date. I want to be sure that this budget lays the foundations for economic growth. I hope that entrepreneurs will note that this is the right path to follow."
Some people contend that if Harris went in power, that was due to your 1992 decision not to support Murray Elston over Lyn McLeod, considered a weaker contender. They say Elston would have beaten Rae and Harris.
"I disagree. In 1995, Harris' time had come. Our province wanted just that kind of government, promising tax cuts and a reduction of the government role in general. That was a reaction to 10 years of tax hikes and increasing governmental intervention. Elston or Sorbara, it would have made no difference."
You said 10, not five. Are you including Peterson's Liberal cabinet?
"Sure. We raised taxes, too."
How did your family react to your return to government?
"It was much simpler than in 1985, when I first ran. My children were smaller then. Now they have a life of their own, so my wife and I are freer, we are grandparents now."
What about your wife?
"My wife is now part of my political life. I can discuss with her; her support is more important than ever. Our children are independent."
And your siblings?
"They were not surprised. Even while I was an outsider, I always followed what went on in Queen's Park very closely."
Even though in different parties, Al Palladini's political career and yours crossed one another many times; the late Italian politician Aldo Moro would have called them 'converging parallels'.
"The premier once remarked that the first seats in the Liberal cabinet are held by people who entered the political arena due to someone else's death: he began when his father died, I did so when Al passed away. Undoubtedly, Al and I had a lot in common. Everybody knows that I am a baseball fan, but Al was too. We attended the Blue Jays' training camp together, and he was much better than I was. Better than at golf."
Were you surprised when he announced that he would run, in 1995?
"Up to a point, yes. I told him that the moment was right for the Tories, for the reasons I told you before. He was beloved, as a politician even more than as a businessman."
How did you react to the news of his death?
"I was grieved, of course, but I had a strange reaction. When I visited his body, I recall telling him, 'How dare you die on me, now I have to come back.' He would not run against me and I would not run against him."
Let's go back to your family. Will any of your children follow in your footsteps?
"I'd love them to, but the decision is theirs and theirs alone."
Does any of them appear willing to follow you in the political arena?
"Well, some do, especially Noel, who's been talking with me of public life since he was 13. He speaks Chinese, French, Italian, a little German, and harbours a passion for public life. Maybe he will do something."
Your father, Sam Sorbara, who passed away some years ago, made sacrifices and built an economic empire. What did he see in politics?
"Not enough. A part of him would have liked to enter politics, but the opportunity did not present itself. I'm doing this also for him. He was already ill when I ran for the leadership. I've been thinking of him a lot in these days. When I have a difficult time I ask myself, what would my father do? Most of us do so with our parents."
You're the first Italian-Canadian to be appointed to this prestigious post. How does it feel?
"I'm very aware of this, and it increases my sense of responsibility. I often think I cannot fail. If I fail, some people will think that we all failed. I must pave the way for a future generation of Italian-Canadian politicians, which I hope will be numerous. I feel this responsibility deeply."
Next-to-last question, on your budget. How would you like to define it?
"A four-year programme of improvement to services, especially in healthcare and public education. A programme to get out of the deficit that we Liberals inherited from the Tories."
If there will be a deficit, you're ready to cut your wages by $9,000. Right?
"Right."
Good Luck.
"Thanks, I'll need it."

Publication Date: 2004-05-16
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3962