Stop me if you've heard this one before

John Tory's people sent out this media release today. It amused me. Would seem that Dalton McGuinty's $3 million, Thousand Defibrillators Program announced in London on Canada Day was a bit of a re-cycle. The program was originally announced back in March.

A new holiday tradition courtesy Dalton McGuinty

(Queen’s Park) – Unlike Thanksgiving and Christmas, Canada Day isn’t normally known for its reheated servings but Dalton McGuinty is doing what he can to change that.

McGuinty was in London today to announce the creation of a $3 million “Thousand Defibrillators Program.” The only problem is that this program was already announced last March. Indeed, whole swaths of McGuinty’s press release today were simply cut-and-pasted from the March 29, 2007, press release from the Ministry of Health Promotion.

March:
“The McGuinty government is providing $3 million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario for the creation of a ‘Thousand Defibrillators Program’ for Ontario’s recreational facilities.”

July:
“The McGuinty government is providing $3 million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario for the creation of a Thousand Defibrillators Program for Ontario's recreational facilities.”

March:
“This historic investment through the Heart and Stroke Foundation will provide Ontario’s communities with important life-saving assistance,” Watson said. “With access to this life-saving tool, public facilities will be safer places for Ontarians to gather and be active.”

July:
“This investment will provide London-area residents with important life-saving assistance,” said Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson. “With access to this life-saving tool, public facilities will be safer places to gather and be active.”

March:
“Using an automated external defibrillator combined with CPR within the first few minutes can improve survival rates from five percent to 50 per cent or more.”

July:
“It is estimated that early intervention using a defibrillator, together with CPR, can save lives and improve survival rates by up to 50 per cent.”

As Dalton McGuinty continues his pre-election campaign tour across the province this summer, Ontarians should brace themselves for Dalton’s special twist on the summer re-run season.

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