Billions in health care in balanced Ontario budget
Posted Apr 27, 2017 04:38:04 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario’s Liberal government is promising billions of new dollars for health care in its first balanced budget in a decade, a fiscal plan designed to appeal to nearly everyone in the province ahead of an election next summer.
Crafted by a party in power since 2003 that has been faring poorly in the polls, the $141-billion budget has measures targeted at both young and old, people who access the health care system and anyone who owns or rents a home and pays an electricity bill.
The centrepiece of the plan is a $465-million-a-year pharmacare program for youth, which would cover prescription medications to treat most acute and common chronic conditions for people under the age of 25, with no deductible or co-payment.
In total, the government is promising $11.5 billion in new spending on health care over three years, including money to address hospital overcrowding, funding for mental health and addiction services, cash for hospital construction projects, as well as home care.
The budget also includes funds for child care spaces, money to build schools, measures aimed at seniors and previously announced cuts to electricity bills and plans to cool the housing market.
The Liberals had promised no new taxes on families, though they are increasing tobacco taxes by $10 per carton over the next three years and giving municipalities the power to introduce a hotel tax.
More coming.
