More Experts Agree: Taking Strong Action and Making the Right Choices for Ontario Families

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, March 28, 2012 /CNW/ - More experts agree that the Ontario Liberal budget makes the right choices to grow the economy and support good schools and public health care:

MARY WEBB, SENIOR ECONOMIST, SCOTIABANK
"The challenge for this government in this budget was to provide a credible repair plan, and so it has. It has provided a broad-based plan -  detailed, strategic."

TD BANK FINANCIAL GROUP
"Overall, today's budget carries with it prudent economic growth assumptions and more details behind the medium term fiscal plan. In this vein, the budget should be well received by credit rating agencies."

ROBERT HOGUE AND KIRSTEN CORNELSON, ECONOMISTS, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
"To his credit, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan found $13.1 billion worth of measures - including several tough decisions such as freezing compensation in the public sector - that will keep his government on the deficit reduction path outlined previously."

JANET ECKER, PRESIDENT, TORONTO FINANCIAL SERVICES ALLIANCE AND FORMER ONTARIO FINANCE MINISTER
"We strongly support their efforts to eliminate the deficit. It is an important step for Ontario's future economic growth and will help support continued growth of financial service jobs in the province."

DEREK BURLETON, VICE PRESIDENT & DEPUTY CHIEF ECONOMIST, TD BANK
"I like the 80-20 rule. They're going to be cutting spending four dollars for every one dollar of revenue increases.  I think it's turning into the golden rule internationally…It seems to be fairly successful. So a good balance on that front…the government has very prudent revenue assumptions incorporated in terms of economic growth."

DOUG BROOKS, CEO, CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS ONTARIO
"By committing to finding operational efficiencies, transforming the way public programs and services are delivered, and limiting annual spending increases to one per cent, we believe the government is on the right track."

MICHAEL McSWEENEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CEMENT ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
"We recognize that Ontario faces significant economic challenges and we applaud the government for acknowledging the critical importance of maintaining a high level of infrastructure investment during this difficult economic time.  This budget is evidence the government recognizes that infrastructure is critical for economic growth, competitiveness and job creation."

JOE ACCARDI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO SEWER AND WATERMAIN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION
"We are delighted that the Ontario governments $35 billion over 3 year's infrastructure spending commitment has been restated and that there is an understanding that infrastructure investment creates sustainability and is a key component that generates economic benefits." 

DOUG TARRY, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION
"OHBA welcomes the enhancements to core infrastructure investment with the announcement of a new three-year $35 billion commitment in the 2012 Ontario budget. These strategic infrastructure investments will strengthen Ontario's economic growth, job creation and complement the sustainable development of complete communities. The Renovation Tax Credit is a positive step for the renovation sector"

ROB BRADFORD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO ROAD BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION
"It is clear the government is focused on shrinking the infrastructure deficit while tackling the overall provincial deficit. The allocated provincial budget for transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges and transit) has again increased for 2012-2013. A strong focus on transportation infrastructure means jobs for Ontarians and stronger lifelines for Ontario's economy."

JIM WATSON, MAYOR OF OTTAWA
"I'm appreciative of the fact that the province has honoured its upload agreement. This is something that's important personally to me but also to the city."

SHARLEEN STEWART, PRESIDENT, SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
"We're happy about the increase to the community services. I am looking forward to working for a senior's strategy.  We've done some good work with the government."

BONNIE PATTERSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, COUNCIL OF ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES
"It's a good balance between investments and what we need for the future, education and health, and dealing with what is a difficult fiscal reality today; a deficit and debt has been growing and it needs to be stopped. To me there's a balance in there, it's a strong budget."

DONNA RUBIN, CEO, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES AND SERVICES FOR SENIORS
"With the funding announced today, the community sector will be able to step up and play a larger and more effective role in the continuum of care for seniors."

MIKE SCHREINER, LEADER, GREEN PARTY OF ONTARIO
"I think we could vote for this budget."

Brian Clow
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