ONLY A STRONG ECONOMY WILL
PROTECT HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION
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.
