More Experts Agree: Ontario Liberals Creating Jobs and Helping People in their Everyday Lives

QUEEN'S PARK, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - More experts agree that Thursday's Ontario Liberal budget creates jobs and helps people in their everyday lives:

AL SPACEK, PRESIDENT, FEDERATION OF NORTHERN ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES AND MAYOR OF KAPUSKASING
"The government also announced $100 million specifically for Northern and rural infrastructure. I'm pleased for that. We need more support for infrastructure."

DAVID KELLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PROGRAMS/ADDICTIONS ONTARIO
"The continued commitment of Ontario's government to move the 10 year mental health and addiction strategy forward, support for community-based services, and steps to address poverty puts the government on track to improve the health of all Ontarians."

MARK WALES, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
"There's no better time to appreciate investments in rural roads and bridges than springtime in Ontario. Farmers and rural Ontarians welcome this meaningful investment in rural Ontario that will make travel across our roads easier while supporting local economies and construction jobs at the same time."

JULIE MAVIS, PRESIDENT, PORT HOPE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
"It seems to be a positive budget for business in Ontario.  Commitments were made to keep taxes low, to increase tax exemption amounts for small business, but most importantly a commitment of $295 million over two years to make it easier for young people to find real career paths through training subsidies for employers."

ART PULTZ, PRESIDENT, TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
"The proposed budget features some positive items for Timmins area businesses, and indeed for the provincial business climate as a whole. The move to improve job accessibility for youth is a particularly important item at a time where businesses across the North are already struggling with considerable workforce issues. Further commitment to improving Northern infrastructure is equally welcome, and we certainly appreciate the efforts to allow further cost relief for manufacturers."

PHIL DORNER, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
"[The proposed amendment to the Electronic Commerce Act] is great news for REALTORS® as well as consumers across the province. If passed, the amendment means that REALTORS® and consumers will have the confidence to use efficient and accessible modern day technology during one of the most important parts of a real estate transaction…OREA would like to thank Minister Sousa and Premier Wynne for including this important amendment in the 2013 Ontario Budget."

TOM REID, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, GROUP RETIREMENT SERVICES, SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
"Sun Life Financial congratulates the Ontario government on its commitment within the recent budget to implement Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP's) in support of the more than one million Ontarians who need assistance to save for their retirement...We are excited that Ontario is going to champion this important innovation in retirement savings."

AMY SICILIANO, COORDINATOR, THUNDER BAY CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL
"We know that people experiencing poverty are at greater risk for contacts with the criminal justice system. Anything that helps lift people's standard of living up is going to help reduce the crime rate in the long run."

RENÉ BERTHIAUME, MAYOR, TOWN OF HAWKESBURY
"Un fonds de 100 millions de dollars a été annoncé pour aider les municipalités rurales de l'Ontario et celles du Nord ontarien à entretenir et restaurer les infrastructures routières et municipales. L'Ontario a démontré son vouloir à reconnaître nos problèmes." 

JOE DALE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT NETWORK
"It should be seen as significant that employment for people with disabilities received the attention it did in the provincial budget. The spotlight, so to speak, is encouraging in that the importance of this issue has risen to the surface with the provincial government."

DAVE BRYANS, CEO, ONTARIO CONVENIENCE STORES ASSOCIATION
"On behalf of the OCSA, I would like to commend the Ontario government for taking appropriate steps towards combatting this serious issue. Contraband tobacco is not only a major issue for our 7,500 retailers across Ontario."

HENRY VAN ANKUM, CHAIR, GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO
"A two per cent mandate in the province of Ontario will create demand for 160 million litres of renewable diesel, which means a potential soybean usage of 680,000 tonnes. Our organization looks forward to working closely with government over the next few months to develop biofuel policy that benefits the province and our members."

MARGARET HANCOCK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAMILY SERVICE TORONTO
"Allowing people on OW who are able to work to keep $200 of their monthly earnings is a significant and overdue rule change. Raising the savings and asset limits of people on OW is also a step in the right direction."

CAROL WILDING, PRESIDENT & CEO, TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"We view today's Budget announcement of HOT lanes as an encouraging small step toward addressing the financing challenges impeding regional transportation expansion. We expect this new tool will be dedicated to the GTHA and The Big Move plan."

RON GAGNON, PRESIDENT & CEO, SAULT AREA HOSPITAL,
"[The investment in home care] allows people to stay home longer, it allows people to get home quicker and get care at home. Pretty much anybody I've ever talked to, that's where they'd rather be instead of in a hospital bed or a long-term care bed."

KEVIN SMITH, SUPERVISOR OF NIAGARA HEALTH SYSTEM
"[The investment in home care] is absolutely what the whole system has been asking for. Obviously it allows what patients and families most want—to stay independent and in their homes as long as possible, and really allows us to look at the best care in the place where patients want to receive it and it's, frankly, also a less costly options than hospitals and other facilities."

DAVID MUSYJ, PRESIDENT & CEO, WINDSOR REGIONAL HOSPITAL
"That's very positive at a time the hospitals are struggling with respect to taking care of patients, and recognizing that a lot of these patients could be taken care of in the community or at home, and possibly either avoid a hospital admission or once they have been admitted, facilitate a more appropriate discharge back home or into the community."

RANDY HOPE, MAYOR, CHATHAM-KENT
On the increase in social assistance rates: "That can be very positive for the individuals and businesses alike." 

RICHARD PATTON, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
"The Ontario government has clearly heard the message that manufacturing is critical to the province's economy."

JIM PINE, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, HASTINGS COUNTY
"In these difficult financial times the province is acknowledging you can get a good return when you invest in infrastructure. That's quite encouraging."

SOURCE: Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

Liberal Caucus Service Bureau
416-325-9138