BROCKVILLE – Encouraging economic growth and continued investments in health care, education, agriculture and other key government services highlighted the Throne Speech last week.

“In our consultations, in which more than 10,000 Ontarians participated, people told us they wanted jobs in their communities and more dollars in their pockets,” said Leeds-Grenville MPP and Minister of Public Safety and Security Bob Runciman.

“Well, we listened,” he said.

The Throne Speech lays out the government’s agenda to guarantee job growth and income gain. It pledges to implement all 17 tax cuts announced in the recent Budget, including the tax credit for senior homeowners and tenants.

Legislation will also be introduced that would, if passed, allow seniors to retire when they choose.

“These tax cuts will continue to create jobs and opportunities into the future” said Runciman. “The 225 taxes cut since 1995 have helped create over 1.1 million new jobs and eliminated an $11-billion deficit.”

Because rural Ontario faces unique challenges, “people told us our rural strategy needed to be aimed at addressing the concerns raised by people in rural communities,” Runciman said. “So we listened.”

The Throne Speech goal is clear: strengthening the rural economy, protecting services and preserving the cherished way of life so important to Ontario’s countryside, he said.

For example, protection of family farms from disruption by union activity is a large issue in rural Ontario, and the government pledged in the Throne speech that “our unique agricultural sector (will be) protected from labour disruptions.”

In addition, the government will ensure “financial support to carry out a nutrient management strategy that will keep our environment protected and our farms strong,” the Speech said.

Also, it will help protect farmers from circumstances such as variable weather and fluctuating markets, bringing “stability for Ontario farmers,” hopefully with the co-operation of the federal government.

And not to be forgotten is the Smart Growth strategy, currently in process of implementation, which will encourage good development while protecting both the environment and irreplaceable farmland.

As the Throne Speech quoted one farmer as saying: “It is every taxpayer’s responsibility to protect and save farmland for future generations.”

To strengthen rural communities, the Throne Speech also included initiatives such as free tuition for doctors and nurses who agree to practise in underserviced areas such as Leeds-Grenville, and caps on wait times for procedures such as surgery, cancer treatment, hip and knee replacements, and MRIs. Twenty new MRIs and five new CT scanners will be also be added province-wide.

“Ontarians said they want every child to have an equal chance to succeed,” said Runciman. “Well, we have listened.” In the Throne Speech, the government re-affirms its commitment to fully implement the Rozanski report, including more support for special education and teacher salaries.

Fifty million dollars in new rural and remote school funding will be allocated for the next school year to strengthen schools in areas of declining enrolment.

Independent Quality Auditors for health, education and municipalities will help ensure high-quality, effective services.

“Ontarians said they want vulnerable people protected, our natural environment preserved, and more accessible government,” said Runciman. “We have listened.”

The Throne Speech includes increased support for the disabled under the Ontario Disability Support Program. A new benefit will be introduced to support children in need.

“People said they wanted government to work better, and we have listened,” Runciman said. The government will provide more services online, more service kiosks, and expanded government office hours.

“Ontarians said they want safer communities,” Runciman said. “We have listened.” The Throne Speech promises more police officers and more resources to fight child sexual abuse. The government will also introduce legislation aimed at gun-related crimes, and stiffer penalties for drunk driving, including lifetime suspension for a second conviction.

Runciman acknowledged the hard work and commitment of Ontario’s health care workers and public health officials in dealing with the health and economic impacts of SARS. “It is thanks to these dedicated individuals that we were able to protect the public and minimize the impact on the economy.” The government will help hospitals deal with SARS-related backlogs, compensate workers, and promote and protect the economy.

Media Contact:
Don Swayne
Constituency Executive Assistant,
613-342-9522