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“That’s what was done, and that’s why there was a contempt motion, and that’s why, had parliament continued, there probably would be another one.”

The Liberals say their decisions to cancel the energy projects will cost taxpayers $230 million, but the Tories and NDP estimate the real cost will be at least triple that figure and could even hit $1 billion. The opposition parties say the gas plants were scrapped to save Liberal seats in the suburbs west of Toronto in last fall’s general election.

“I don’t think anyone should believe what McGuinty had to say about why this legislature has been shut down,” said New Democrat Peter Tabuns.

“The reality is this government has a lot to answer for, and the premier shut down the legislature so he didn’t have to answer. It was extraordinarily cynical.”

McGuinty also blamed the Opposition for delaying legislative business by repeatedly ringing the division bells, something they haven’t done in months, and flatly denied he prorogued to avoid the contempt motions and more fallout over the gas plants.

“I prorogued because the place was becoming overheated and because the public interest demanded that we find a way to freeze public sector wages, and it became obvious that is not something we’re going to be able to do through the legislature,” he said.

“I blew the whistle. I said ’all right, everybody out of the pool. Let’s allow the waters to calm.”’

The Liberals’ draft legislation to impose a two-year wage freeze on nearly half a million workers in the broader public sector was shot down by both the Tories — who said it didn’t go far enough — and the New Democrats — who said it went too far. The minority government said it needs the wage freeze to help trim a $14.4-billion deficit.