Budget Talks are Priority at Queen’s Park

This week, I will be attending provincial budget consultations that continue in Toronto February 1 – 3. Last week, the Select Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs travelled to Niagara Falls, London, Dryden, North Bay and Kingston. The Committee heard from a wide cross section of Ontario citizens, including students, seniors, farmers, small business, manufacturers, retailers, municipalities, healthcare organizations and charities. In my view, there is considerable interest in the budget preparations because Ontario’s economy is uppermost on the minds of all taxpayers.

Here are a few facts about Ontario’s finances that must be considered: There are continuing strong demands for funding of healthcare, education, and other Ontario priorities. Since 2003, provincial debt has grown to a staggering $65 billion. During that same time, government spending has increased by 65%, but the Ontario economy has grown by no more than 5.7 per cent.

The Official Opposition has outlined many priorities that would help get Ontario back on track. Three of these include: Tax relief targeted at job creation and helping Ontario families and seniors who are likely to be hit hardest by the Harmonized Sales Tax; Capping spending this year to the levels targeted in the most recent budget; And a reduction of red tape through the reinstatement of the Red Tape Commission.

Ontario is spending $2.8 million more every single hour than it is receiving in revenue. If this trend continues, the provincial government will soon double Ontario’s debt load.

I welcome your suggestions on priorities for the Ontario budget, including ways to reduce the deficit, create jobs and help Ontario families and seniors who will be hardest hit by rising taxes, higher energy prices, and pressures on funds set aside for pensions and retirement. I may be reached by telephone at 905-697-1501 and toll-free at 1-800-661-2433 or by e-mail at: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.

Driver Cell Phone Restrictions Enforced Feb. 1

Ontario’s ban on hand held-cell phones while driving has been in effect since October of last year. The first three months of the ban were set aside for education and awareness of the law.

Province to Offer Yellow Ribbon Licence Plates

New Ontario licence plates featuring the Yellow Ribbon – Support our Troops logo are being introduced to honour the Canadian Forces. Starting Feb. 1, 2010, these regular, personalized and sample plates can be ordered through some ServiceOntario locations and driver and vehicle licence issuing offices. In my role as Opposition Critic for Government Services, I will be seeking further clarification about how much from the sale of each plate will go to military families. When the yellow ribbon plates were announced last fall, opposition MPPs were disappointed to learn only $2.25 from each set of plates costing $77.75 will go to the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund.

New Projects Support Ontario Food

From mushrooms to markets, funding has been announced for seven initiatives that support locally-grown food. The Province is contributing $45,000 to “re-inventing the Kitchener Market” and $50,000 for a campaign to promote Ontario mushrooms. Other funding announced this month include: Local Food Branding ($75,000); Farm Fresh Fare 2010 at the Green Living Show ($91,965); Ontario Organics Pavilion at Green Living Show ($21,630); Go Ontario Snack Bar ($92,250); Ontario Pork Promotion ($75,000) and market research/planning for organic co-ops ($34,500). The marketing programs are a good initiative. At a recent Agriculture Round Table that I held, I heard many suggestions calling for an effective Risk Management Program.

Ontario Population Will Grow by 3.7 Million

Extensive population growth in the Greater Toronto Area, a shrinking workforce and a rising number of persons over age 65 are among the trends predicted in a report that predicts future trends for Ontario. The report offers a snapshot of what the province may look like in another 20 years. Some of the findings from Ontario’s Long-Term Report on the Economy released in January include:

• The province will see an overall growth of 3.7 million people – for a population total of 16.7 million by 2030. The population increase will be driven by immigration. By the year 2030, over half of Ontario’s population will live in the GTA.
• The proportion of adults in prime working years (age 16 to 64) will shrink to 61.5 per cent from the current 69.4 per cent
• Seniors (Individuals over age 65) will account for 21.9 per cent of Ontario’s population by 2030, compared to 13.7 per cent today.

This report has important implications for almost all aspects of government in Ontario. The population trends will affect policies on pension reform, healthcare, taxation, transportation, education, retraining, jobs and the economy. All branches of government must work together in response to the new population trends.

2009 Set New Records for Organ Donation

The Trillium Gift of Life Network estimates nearly 700 lives were saved last year because of a record number of organ donations. In 2009, there were 218 deceased donors whose gifts of organs provided 691 life-saving transplants. That’s a 17 per cent increase from 2008. The number of tissue donations from 2009 was also unprecedented. Ontarians can register as organ and tissue donors at local ServiceOntario Health Card Services and at OHIP offices or outreach centres where you renew your health card. You can also download a Gift of Life consent form at www.giftoflife.on.ca.