Dear Neighbour,
Today, the government released their Fall Economic Statement. This is a document which provides updates to the province’s yearly budget and new commitments. We will be examining the document and accompanying legislation over the coming weeks. I want to share some of the key points and my thoughts on it.
The significant commitments made were:
- An additional $1.6B to build Highway 413 (estimated $6-10B) and the Bradford Bypass (estimated $800M-$1.5B) paving over the Greenbelt, prime farmland, waterways, sensitive ecological sites. (A commissioned study showed the 413 would only shave off 30-60 seconds in travel time!)
- Increasing Ontario’s minimum wage to $15/hour in January 2022, which is too little, given the skyrocketing cost of living
- A new temporary $2000 Ontario Staycation Tax Credit to help the tourism and hospitality sector
Some urgent concerns that were completely missed:
- No commitment to $10/day child care
- No funding to clear the backlog of surgeries
- No measures to rein in the high cost of living
- $500M in more cuts to education
We all know that life has become more unaffordable. The cost of housing, child care, insurance, groceries, and everything else is rising. It’s harder to get the health care we need, and the education our kids deserve. Overall, the budget update has nothing to help people and small businesses get to the end of the pandemic and rebuild.
My colleagues and I are fighting for a plan that would invest in people by strengthening health care and education, making life more affordable, protecting workers, protecting tenants over developers, and supporting small businesses over big box stores.
Earlier this week in the Legislature, I spoke about the need to support small businesses, increase wages for Ontario’s workers, uphold Indigenous treaty rights, restore much-needed eye care services and develop an affordable home ownership plan.
In other news, the province announced expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots starting this Saturday. They also shared initial plans to roll booster shots out to everyone aged 12+ in the coming months. Full details of this announcement can be found below.
As always, stay safe, wear a mask when needed, get vaccinated, and be kind.
Warmly,
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