TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said his party won’t support the Liberals’ draft public sector wage-freeze bill, which covers nearly 500,000 workers.

Hudak said the draft legislation has no teeth or backbone.

He wants to open existing contracts and impose an immediate pay freeze, and include police and firefighters.

“And if you really want to get at the debt problem we have, shouldn’t you act now? Shouldn’t you act today?,” Hudak questioned.

The New Democrats flatly rejected the Liberal legislation. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it will cause turmoil in hospitals and nursing homes, and that it won’t survive a court challenge.

“This legislation guaranteed is going to the Supreme Court, and even Mr. Duncan is saying that it’s risky, that there’s a likelihood the Supreme Court is going to rule against the government,” Horwath said.

The Liberal government said the wage freeze is needed to help eliminate the almost $15-billion deficit.