Tuesday July 15, 2014 – 10am
Posted Jul 15, 2014 01:55:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
10:00- Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
Ontario’s Liberals have reintroduced their $130-billion budget, which is identical to the one the opposition parties rejected in May, triggering the election. Finance Minister Charles Sousa says the budget invests in a highly educated and skilled workforce and public transit expansion, while keeping spending under control. The budget also includes $29-billion for public transit and infrastructure. It also promises a made-in-Ontario pension plan for workers who don’t have a pension, which will require contributions from both employers and workers. The Liberals also promise to spend $2.5-billion in grants for companies that create jobs in Ontario.
@Kathleen_Wynne
10:15- Michael Harris, Progressive Conservative MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga
The Tories don’t believe the Liberals can keep their promise to eliminate a $12.5-billion deficit in 3 years. They warn that failing to meet short-term deficit targets will result in an expensive downgrade in Ontario’s credit rating. Interest on the nearly $290-billion debt is over $11-billion a year, the 4th-largest expenditure item in the budget after health, education and child and social services.
@Michaelharrispc
10:20- Catherine Fife, NDP MPP for Kicthener-Waterloo
Fife calls it a Trojan Horse Budget. The NDP warn it paves the way for a “wholesale sell-off” of provincial assets such as Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One and the LCBO, but the government says it will retain majority ownership of each agency. The NDP also say the document does nothing to address the province’s jobs crisis.
@CFifeKW
Listen:
