More Experts Agree: Ontario Liberals Focused on Common Ground of Strong Economy, Fair Society, Effective Legislature

TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - (Queen's Park) More experts agree the Ontario Liberals are working toward a stronger province that will create good jobs and build sustainable communities across the province:

DR. DOUG WEIR, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (OMA)
"We are encouraged to see that today's throne speech renewed the government's commitment to health care initiatives long advocated by Ontario's doctors. Ontario's doctors are pleased that the government has pledged to increase access to mental health services and support efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness.  The government's commitment to focus on health promotion initiatives such as combating smoking and obesity is also a step in the right direction."

CANDACE CHARTIER, CEO, ONTARIO LONG TERM CARE ASSOCIATION
"The Ontario Long Term Association welcomes the opportunity to work together with the Ontario Government and other health care providers on solutions that will enable Ontario's long-term care sector to meet the needs of Ontario's seniors and their families."

CAROL JOLIN, L'ASSOCIATION DES ENSEIGNANTES ET ENSEIGNANTS FRANCO-ONTARIENS
« Ce qui me frappe dans le discours du Trône, c'est que le gouvernement va se pencher sur l'accès aux programmes postsecondaires dans le Centre-Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario. Il y a un besoin indiscutable dans cette région et je suis content que le gouvernement ait pris conscience de cet enjeu. C'est un bon signe. »

DR. RAFI HOFSTEIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MARS INNOVATION
"Access to capital is critical for start-up and early-stage innovative companies, that is why MaRS Innovation is pleased to hear that the Government of Ontario has decided to support this new Venture Capital initiative. This fund will help ensure we are able to continue to take action that will help turn great ideas into thriving companies and new jobs."

ANTHONY POLCI, VICE-PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CANADIAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
"As part of the banking industry's ongoing commitment to financial literacy and the financial health of Canadians, the Canadian Bankers Association is supportive of the Government of Ontario's efforts to improve regulation and oversight of debt settlement companies. We look forward to continuing to work with the government as the details are developed."

CHERISE BURDA, DIRECTOR, ONTARIO POLICY, TRANSPORTATION, PEMBINA INSTITUTE
"Clear commitment to fund transit…Good to hear Wynne will lead provincial and territorial governments in advocating for a national strategy on infrastructure and transit"

FRANÇOIS BOILEAU, COMMISSARIAT AUX SERVICES EN FRANÇAIS
« Je suis très enthousiaste que le gouvernement s'engage de façon claire et sans équivoque à offrir aux francophones, aux francophiles et aux nouveaux arrivants de l'Ontario un accès aux études postsecondaires en langue française qui réponde à leurs besoins, notamment dans le Centre-Sud-Ouest de la province. »

DAN BURNS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY CARE ACCESS CENTRES (OACCAC)
"We are very pleased to see that the government intends to move forward with the Seniors Care strategy and to also see the confirmation that the innovative Community Health Links initiatives will continue to be a priority. CCACs are committed partners in these initiatives."

HENRIETTA ROSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICES (OACCS)
"The Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services has been a strong and vocal advocate for the regulation of debt settlement services and applauds the Ontario government's efforts to strengthen consumer protections."

DR. BARRY MCLELLAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE AND CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF ACADEMIC HOSPITALS OF ONTARIO
"Today the Government of Ontario signalled its continued commitment to health innovation. This means strong support both for patients, who will continue to have access to the best health care, and for health research and the highly skilled jobs that the sector supports.  We look forward to collaboratively strengthening Ontario's health research enterprise."

SID RYAN, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR
"We're willing to work with the Liberals at this point in time... if we can work out something that actually addresses the concerns of working men and women in Ontario, we're all there and you'll find us as allies. If the approach is the Tory approach, which is attacking workers in this province, we'll be off side in a hurry."

SOURCE: Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

Liberal Caucus Service Bureau
416-325-9138