Press Release
Building a sustainable future, while protecting critical frontline services
David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, is pleased the first budget of Ontario’s Government for the People delivered April 11 by Finance Minister Vic Fedeli protects what matters most, and contains absolutely no new tax increases, while providing $26 billion over six years in relief for individuals, families, and businesses.
“Budget 2019 focuses on protecting what matters most – our world-class health care and education systems. We need to make sure that OHIP+ is protected for generations to come,” said MPP David Piccini. “The Budget is a plan that puts people first, while making Ontario open for business and open for jobs.”
The 2019 Ontario Budget is a comprehensive and sustainable plan that balances the budget in five years, stimulates job creation, and protects critical public services that people rely on every day. With this plan, the Province is ensuring value for money and targeting spending to frontline services, while eliminating the deficit.
The signature initiative of the budget is the proposed Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax credit. The CARE tax credit would be one of the most flexible child care initiatives ever introduced in Ontario, putting parents at the center of the decision-making process. CARE would help low- and middle-income families with up to 75% of their eligible child care costs per year, including those for daycares, home-based care, and camps.
Another key item in the budget is dental care for low-income seniors. At least two-thirds of low-income seniors do not have access to dental care – and many end up in our emergency rooms as a result. The government is investing $90 million starting at the end of summer 2019 to establish this new program to help Ontario’s low-income seniors.
Broadband and cellular access are necessary to attract and retain business, increase quality of life for residents and improve access to government services, including health care and education. Many rural and remote communities do not have access to viable high-speed connectivity, which limits their ability to provide important public services, develop a strong workforce, and support economic development. In support of the government’s commitment to expand broadband and cellular infrastructure, the Province plans to invest $315 million over the next five years in regional and shovel-ready projects.
Other key initiatives in Budget 2019 include a new Ontario Job Creation Investment Incentive to help businesses grow and create jobs, a “Digital First” strategy to modernize Service Ontario’s top 10 transactions and other government services, and a new auto insurance plan that puts drivers first.
“The 2019 Ontario Budget is showing the world that our government is serious about fiscal sustainability, protecting frontline services, and making Ontario the best place to invest and create jobs,” said Fedeli.
“The Budget marks a new beginning for the Province that respects tax dollars, makes life more affordable, and ensures the government works for the people, and not the other way around. This is the approach of Premier Doug Ford and his Government for the People.”
Visit Ontario.ca/Budget to learn more about the 2019 Ontario Budget.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
