More Experts Agree: Ontario Liberal Budget Builds Ontario Up

QUEEN'S PARK, July 15, 2014 /CNW/ - More experts agree that yesterday's Ontario Liberal budget is a plan to build opportunity and security for today and tomorrow by taking immediate action to create jobs by investing in a highly skilled workforce, building modern infrastructure and transportation networks, and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate.

CAROL WILDING, PRESIDENT & CEO, TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"Investing in transportation has long been seen by the Board and its members as vital to improving the region's economy. That is why Board is encouraged the government has confirmed the establishment of a new funding framework for the Toronto region's transportation plan. This framework offers hope that our decades-long quest to wrestle with traffic gridlock is moving in the right direction. Addressing the up to $11-billion annual loss in productivity due to congestion has been the top priority for our members for the past decade."

SID RYAN, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR
"The OFL commends these positive measures and looks forward to working with the government to ensure the Ontario Registered Pension Plan (ORPP) will work for Ontario workers. The importance of the ORPP being comparable to the Canada Pension Plan, so that it can be rolled into that plan at a later date, cannot be overstated."

TIM GRAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE
"We're pleased that the Ontario government is moving forward with a commitment to conservation. This budget funds programs that encourage large and small businesses to conserve electricity."

ELLIOTT SILVERSTEIN, MANAGER - GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CAA SOUTH CENTRAL ONTARIO

"We are optimistic that the steps outlined in the 2014 budget are a start to addressing the congestion that is crippling the GTHA...CAA is also pleased that very important links in the province's highway network such as the expansion of Highways 407, 427 and the widening of Highway 401 are addressed in the budget, and will come to fruition in the near future."

ERIC DENOUDEN, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION

"The cost of the infrastructure investments outlined in the budget is being equitably allocated…I'm pleased the province recognized that all Ontarians benefit from a functional transportation system."

DAVID BARBER, President, Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs

"The funding pledged demonstrates a positive step in addressing the crisis situation in developmental services. We are certain that through collaboration and consultation with government and other stakeholders, we can ensure that Ontario's most vulnerable receive the care and support they need to become active members of our communities, contributing to the vibrant and diverse life of Ontario."

ANTHONY MOUSTACALIS, PRESIDENT, CRIMINAL LAWYERS' ASSOCIATION

"We applaud the government's recognition of the importance of Ontario's legal aid system…By committing to an additional 75,000 Legal Aid certificates each year for low-income Ontarians at full implementation, the government is helping to meet the real needs of the vulnerable through LAO's certificate program, which gives clients the right to counsel of choice."

SUSAN MCISSAC, PRESIDENT & CEO, UNITED WAY TORONTO

"There's all kinds of evidence in this budget that the government is serious about trying to create a province that will create opportunity for all. I'm really hopeful that over the coming months and years, these commitments will be longer-term and far reaching."

PAUL BOOTHE, ECONOMIST, RICHARD IVEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

"Richard Ivey School of Business economist Paul Boothe said the budget's approach – setting broad deficit-cutting targets without getting into specifics – makes sense, contending it's better to leave the details to be sorted out in a collective process, in which all cabinet ministers and civil servants contribute ideas."

MIKE BAKER, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE ADMINISTRATION AND ABORIGINAL SERVICES, NORTHERN COLLEGE

"[Capital allocations for repairs and maintenance on colleges and universities] can't do anything but help us with the aging infrastructure that we have. A lot of the buildings were built in the '70s so we're in dire need of repairs…We're kind of excited to get that and have some of our infrastructure needs addressed."

SOURCE: Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

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