An Ontario MPP’s plan to add transparency to corporate handouts is “the wackiest idea I’ve heard in my 22 years in elected office,” according to Brad Duguid, the Liberal economic development minister responsible for handing out the money.

Progressive Conservative MPP Monte McNaughton is on a mission to rein in crony capitalism — where the government doles out taxpayer money to companies. He’s currently touring the province in what he has coined the “Back in the Black Tour,” looking for ways to improve Ontario’s fiscal health.

One of the ideas he’s floating is to have a simple up/down vote in the legislature for all corporate grants, meaning every MPP would vote on whether tax dollars go to a company. Right now, decisions are made by bureaucrats and the minister.

“That’s not how it’s supposed to work — some bureaucrat deciding which industry or company should be given a grant to grow in Ontario,” McNaughton, the PC critic on the economic file, told me over the phone. “That’s not the role of government.”

It’s the up/down vote that Duguid is labelling “the wackiest idea” he’s ever heard. He thinks it’s counterproductive.

“To put it up to a vote for politicians would have the effect of politicizing a decision that should not have politics as an element of decision,” he said.

McNaughton has also been sending letters to Duguid urging him to publicly release details on taxpayer money the Liberal government has given to 374 businesses over the past decade.

This issue was singled out in the provincial auditor general’s December report, which noted the ministry “has not attempted to measure whether the $1.4 billion it provided to Ontario businesses since 2004 actually strengthened the economy or made recipients more competitive.”

But Duguid argues the information is public, available online. “This is something we want the public to be aware of. We’re working hard to build a strong economy and bring investment to the province,” he told me. “We want Ontarians to know we’ve created and retained 160,000 jobs through these investments.”

It’s true the announcements are posted on the ministry’s site when they’re made, but only limited information is provided and there’s no public list tallying corporate handouts.

Let’s be clear here, folks. This is no side issue. This is a philosophical war that speaks to the heart of Ontario politics.

You’ve got a Liberal minister arguing corporate handouts — “investments,” as they put it — are integral to growing Ontario’s economy, and his Progressive Conservative counterpart arguing the exact opposite.

“Affordable energy, balancing the budget, cutting red tape, investing in infrastructure — businesses would be better served by getting the basics right and have the government stop picking winners and losers,” McNaughton said.

But Duguid doesn’t stop at taking a swing at McNaughton. He’s aiming higher. “I guess a good question is: Where does (PC leader Patrick Brown) stand on this? Does he support McNaughton’s efforts to vilify our efforts to grow jobs?”

He adds: “I frankly sense there’s another Patrick Brown potential flip-flop here. I think the public deserves to know: Does he stand with us for the increase of jobs?”

The Liberals are framing the debate on their own terms while setting a trap for Brown at the same time. The battle lines are drawn and the public will have to decide on whose side they sit. The PCs need to stake out firm turf on this topic and fight hard.

This is a test case for Brown. The Big Red Machine is just warming up against him. It’ll only get harder.

‘JOBS AND PROSPERITY FUND’ ANNOUNCEMENTS IN MARCH ALONE:

* Mitsui Hi-Tec Inc. (Brantford) — $2 million

* Baylis Medical Company (Mississauga) — $4.22 million

* Sandvine Inc. (Waterloo) $15 million

* Huawei Canada (Markham, Waterloo, Ottawa) $16 million

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

“We’re number one in North America for foreign direct investment for two years in a row.” — Brad Duguid, minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure

“The goal of government should be to create the conditions for businesses to expand. I’ve talked to enough businesses across the province who are seriously concerned about the direction the government is going.” — Monte McNaughton, Ontario PC Party critic for economic development, employment and infrastructure

afurey@postmedia.com