Nipissing MPP Monique Smith News Release ******************** The 2011 Ontario Budget continues the McGuinty government’s support of Ontario’s economic recovery.
The 2011 Ontario Budget continues the McGuinty government’s support of Ontario’s economic recovery. The budget renews the focus on eliminating the deficit while protecting education and health care.
The deficit for 2010–11 is projected to be $16.7 billion — $3 billion lower than forecast a year ago. This is largely due to the fact that program expense for 2010–11 is projected to be $2.6 billion lower than the forecast published in the 2010 Budget.
The 2011 Budget’s strategic investments include:
Jobs and Growth New partnerships with the private sector will create and retain nearly 10,000 jobs in Ontario Helping cattle, hog, sheep and veal farmers by implementing a new Risk Management Program, and a Self-Directed Risk Management Program for the edible horticulture sector
Protecting Education More than 60,000 new student spaces in Ontario’s colleges and universities by 2015–16. There will be room for every qualified Ontario student This September, full-day kindergarten will be available in an additional 200 schools, benefiting up to 50,000 children. Currently, nearly 600 schools offer full-day kindergarten for up to 35,000 children. It will be fully implemented, available in every school, in September 2014
Protecting Health Care
About 90,000 additional breast cancer screening exams to help reach more women who are at high risk
A comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, starting with children and youth
Expanding pharmacy services and support for people covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program — helping seniors and others with things like prescription follow-up consultations
Managing Responsibly
To help eliminate the deficit without threatening economic growth or the gains Ontarians have made in education and health care, the government must further reform the way it does business. Recent initiatives and those announced in this budget would help realize savings of nearly $1.5 billion over the next three fiscal years. There are several new measures that would make public services more affordable and effective for Ontario families, including:
Determining whether the current ServiceOntario delivery model provides the best value and service to people
Instructing major agencies to deliver efficiencies of $200 million by 2013–14
Reducing funding permanently for executive offices of specific transfer payment recipients by 10 per cent over two years. This policy will also be put in place for major government agencies
Reducing the size of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) by an additional 1,500 positions between April 2012 and March 2014. This is in addition to the reduction of about 3,400 full-time OPS employees announced in the 2009 Budget
Making the jail system more modern and efficient. Efficiencies will be gained by closing underutilized prisons in Owen Sound, Walkerton and Sarnia, and partially closing Toronto West Detention Centre. Inmates will be transferred to new, larger, more efficient facilities
Cancelling construction of the Toronto West Courthouse, resulting in appropriation savings of $181 million over the next three years
Establishing the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, chaired by respected economist Don Drummond, which will provide advice on reforms that would help accelerate the government’s plan to eliminate the deficit while protecting education and health care.
The 2011 Budget builds on the McGuinty government’s Open Ontario plan to strengthen the economy, promote job creation and protect key public services.
QUOTES
“Two years after the worst global recession most of us have ever known, the Ontario economy is turning the corner and jobs are coming back. A well-educated and healthy workforce strengthens Ontario’s economy and attracts investment and jobs.” — Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance
“Strategic investments in education and health care lay the foundation for a future with more jobs, increased productivity and a better quality of life for all our families. We have a plan that is on track to eliminate the deficit while protecting the gains we have made in our schools and hospitals.” — Hon. Monique Smith, MPP - Nipissing
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Meanwhile Nipissing PC Candidate Vic Fedeli, who was in the gallery at Queen's Park, says There is nothing new in the budget for Northern Ontario.
"There's nobody down there looking after Nipissing or the rest of Northern Ontario."
Fedeli says in the 300 page budget book only 1 1/2 pages were devoted to northern Ontario and at that it only repeats old news and previously-announced increases to the Northern Ontrario Heritage Fund, hydro rebate and the growth plan.
"Scary thing about that document is that even though transportation is the first pillar, the document Never mentions Ontario Northland," tells BayToday via email.
"How could a plan for northern Ontario not include the only transportation and communication company?"
"The remainder of the budget never provided any real relief for families. No tax cuts. No fix to the increasing Hydro bills. Doesn't address auto insurance. No mention of tuition fees."
