Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford says the latest Ontario budget will help protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover” sets out a total of $45 billion in support over three years.
Rickford says in total, Ontario’s health response is now a projected $15.2 billion and the government is making available $4 billion in 2021-2022 and another $2 billion in 2022-2023 to ensure the province can remain responsive to evolving needs in the fight against the pandemic.
Rickford says the government is spending another $13.5-billion to support families, workers and employers.
He notes Ontario is a leader among Canadian provinces in protecting our seniors.
Rickford says the government is increasing daily direct care from a nurse of personal support worker per long-term care resident to four hours a day over a four-year period.
“We will continue to place a priority on investments in long-term care centres, personal support worker training and care for our seniors who are in long-term care out here in northwestern Ontario.”
Parents will once again receive $200 per child under the age of 12 and $250 for youth with special needs under the age of 21.
The Minister of Energy says for larger industries, like Domtar, the government plans to take off the cost of wind and solar energy from their bills which could result in savings of 14% or 16%.
Rickford says they are also helping tourist outfitters by offering a 20% rebate for anyone who plans to take a stay-cation in Ontario next year.
Rickford adds seniors, or families with a grandparent at home, who do renovations, are eligible for a tax credit of 25% of the costs up to $10,000.
Total spending by the government is pegged at $187 billion dollars.
Finance Minister Rod Phillips says “Our deficit is projected to be $38.5 billion. Unchanged from what I reported in the first quarter finances this Summer. We are projecting that the deficit will decrease to $33.1 billion and $28.2 billion the following year.
To hear more from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, visit the Audio link below.
