MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Premier Dalton McGuinty dismissed Opposition criticism about the value of Ontario's $4.3-billion bailout for General Motors and Chrysler, saying it was a "humane" decision that is already showing results.

GM's announcement that it will pay back its bailout money before June won't shrink Ontario's $25-billion deficit, McGuinty said, since much of the loan went into equity.

But he said it's "another reason for Ontarians to be optimistic about the economy and what the future holds for us."

"They're making very difficult decisions to turn that company around and get it on its feet and ensure that they're putting out a product that North American consumers want, so overall this is good news for us."

The Progressive Conservatives said Tuesday that last year's bailout showed a pattern of giving out sweetheart deals to foreign-based companies with little discussion in the legislature -- and may not be worthwhile.

PC critic John Yakabuski said the Liberal government may be making a similar mistake by giving Samsung $437 million in subsidies to create about 14,000 permanent jobs.

But McGuinty said the Conservatives' criticism of the auto bailout "just shows a complete absence of understanding of how important this was to thousands and thousands of families who have been able to keep their jobs because we came to assist the auto sector in Ontario."

Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello said there were clear signs of a recovery in the province's auto sector, and carmakers appear hopeful about the future.

"Repaying loans early from GM's perspective and for ours can only be seen as a good thing," she said.

"We know that there's a lot of movement still in terms of consumers and how quickly they'll start buying cars. We also know that there's tremendous capacity still in production in North America, but Ontario frankly is doing well."

The government hasn't yet decided when it will sell its stake in GM or Chrysler, she added, saying that move is still up for discussion.

GM said Monday it will repay its US$8.1 billion in loans from the U.S., Canadian and Ontario governments all at once and could pay them even earlier than June.

The automaker owes $1.4 billion to the Canadian and Ontario governments, and has so far repaid $192 million.