More Reviews Are In: Ontario Liberals Are Building Ontario Up

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, April 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Today's Ontario Liberal budget makes significant investments that will make Ontario succeed now and into the future:

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE TORONTO FINANCIAL SERVICES ALLIANCE, JANET ECKER
"This continued commitment to invest in infrastructure positively impacts Toronto's increasing success as a growing international financial centre."

RICK BONNETTE, MAYOR OF HALTON HILLS
"I want to take this opportunity to thank you for reinstating the Connecting Links Program. Municipalities depend on this funding to improve transportation through our communities."

TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"The 2015 Provincial budget continues to reduce Ontario's deficit while making major needed investments in the Toronto region's economic foundations — two top issues for Board members due to their impact on business competitiveness. Deficit reduction and targeted investment are critical to the Province's future economic health. We commend the Province for its substantial and long-term commitment to transportation infrastructure and for providing clarity on where its investment will be directed. Every dollar invested in transportation infrastructure increases real GDP by $1.19 — these investments will contribute significantly to the Toronto region's economic health."

AVERY SHENFELD, CIBC CHIEF ECONOMIST
"We actually have Ontario doing a little bit better in 2016 than they have in their forecast. I think that we have some optimism now that the combination of a weaker Canadian dollar – generally some expectations that the US will be doing a lot better than it did in the first quarter this year – helping Ontario out, and that is the plus side."

IAN HOWCROFT, ONTARIO VICE PRESIDENT, CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS
"We have to ensure the vitality of manufacturing in Ontario and across Canada, and the best way to do that is to have manufacturers invest in innovation, invest in technology, embraced advanced manufacturing technologies, and the capital costs allowance acceleration will certainly help in that regard. So the provincial government has committed to mirror what the federal government has done for the next 10 years, very very pleased with regard to that aspect of the budget."

KAREN CAMERON, CEO OF THE ONTARIO PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATION
"Increasing dedicated funds for transit and critical infrastructure from $29 billion to $31.5 billion is another step in the right direction, allowing the province to commit funding to the Hurontario-Main LRT and Hamilton rapid transit projects. This budget reaffirms and further strengthens the Ontario government's understanding of the importance of mobility in the health of our economy. Cities are our economic hubs and transit not only needs to keep pace with their growth, it needs to drive"

MICHAEL ROSCHLAU, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE CANADIAN URBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION
"We are pleased to see that the Ontario government remains strongly committed to transit and to making Ontario communities better for people, business and growth. An investment in public transit is an investment in Ontario's future quality of life."

MICHAEL BRATTMAN, PRESIDENT INSURANCE BROKERS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
"The interest rate cut is a direct benefit for consumers by giving them more affordable payment options. The winter tire discount is a great idea that will save money and improve safety at the same time."

ELLIOTT SILVERSTEIN, MANAGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CAA SOUTH CENTRAL ONTARIO
"CAA is pleased to see infrastructure defined as a key priority in the 2015 provincial budget. Through a series of new and ongoing initiatives, we are encouraged by the steps taken to address congestion and help enhance transit and road infrastructure across the province."

DR. DAVE WILLIAMS, ONTARIO HEALTH INNOVATION COUNCIL
"The Ontario Health Innovation Council is thrilled with the announcement of the creation of the $20 million Health Innovation Fund.  This will ensure that Ontario will become a fertile ground for the development of innovative health technologies that will create economic growth and value in the system."

GRAHAM HENDERSON, PRESIDENT, MUSIC CANADA
"The Ontario Music Fund firmly places music at the forefront of Ontario's economic development and has increased substantially the amount of high-value work being done in the Province of Ontario.  The OMF is a competitive advantage no other province has.  Music's role as a cultural powerhouse, economic driver, job creator, investment stimulus, tourism asset, and community builder has been reaffirmed with today's OMF extension."

PATRICK DILLON, BUSINESS MANAGER, PROVINCIAL BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL OF ONTARIO
"Today's announcement of committing $130 billion to public infrastructure over the next 10 years is welcome news for Ontario's construction industry. The investments will support 110,000 jobs per year."

PEDRO BARATA, VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNITED WAY
"#ONbudget renews investments in youth employment, inc youth at risk strategy. Critical moves to closing the opportunity gap."

ONTARIO COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION
"The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) welcomes the 2015 Ontario Budget and its continuation on enhancing home and community care supports…we are encouraged that the demand for community supports is continuing to be addressed. OCSA is also very supportive of the additional investment of $138 million through the LHINs over 3 years starting in 2014-15 for community organizations to improve mental health and addictions services. We also appreciate the additional investments in hospice and palliative care and community health links."

CHRISTA DICKENSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INTERACTIVE ONTARIO
"Ontario's interactive digital media (IDM) sector has grown from a handful of companies, to an industry that now employs over 17000 FTEs, generates over $1 billion for the economy, and has made the province a world leader in IDM creation. The changes to the OIDMTC in today's budget will ensure core Ontario IDM companies can continue to invest, hire more young people, and make Ontario a centre for innovation that can compete on the world stage."

LINDA FRANKLIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF COLLEGES ONTARIO.
"The government is clearly making apprenticeship training a priority in Ontario."

SOURCE Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

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