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:

LINDA JEFFREY, MAYOR OF BRAMPTON
"Finance Minister Sousa stated that budgets are aspirational documents that speak to a larger vision. This budget sets forward a vision for a very bright future for the entire Province, but especially for a high growth city like Brampton.

 With the Province's strong commitment to the Hurontario-Main LRT and expanded GO train service, Brampton residents will now have even more transit options, reduced commuter times and more importantly, higher order transit will trigger economic growth and an improved quality of life.

I was delighted to learn that the Province of Ontario has also announced that the widening of the 410 Highway which began in the summer of 2014 will be expanded to add two lanes in each direction to this busy stretch of highway, including a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane and a general purpose lane.  This will ensure that the commute times of many Brampton residents and businesses in and out of Brampton are reduced and this investment will support economic growth and improve mobility."

JIM WATSON, MAYOR OF OTTAWA
"Premier Kathleen Wynne has been clear about her support for our Stage 2 LRT project for quite some time. I am very pleased to see Ottawa formally recognized in the budget document. I want to thank Premier Wynne and her Ottawa caucus for their continued commitment to Ottawa's light rail expansion."

TORONTO FINANCIAL SERVICE ALLIANCE
"The TFSA applauds Ontario's involvement in establishing Canada as the first trading hub in the Americas for the Chinese currency, the renminbi (RMB). Ontario's continued commitment to a Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System is also very welcome."

TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"The government's dual focus on reducing the deficit while investing in infrastructure, innovation and economic development to grow the economy is a prudent way to bring the province back to balance. The $200-million increase in the Jobs and Prosperity Fund over the next decade is an important investment in productivity enhancing initiatives."

REBECCA JAMIESON, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, SIX NATIONS POLYTECHNIC
"Building Ontario Up 2015 reinforces Ontario's commitment to preparing Aboriginal learners for greater post-secondary success and preparation for the labour market.  This additional support positions Six Nations Polytechnic and other Aboriginal Institutes to achieve even greater success, in partnership, in Indigenous education. I am very pleased with Ontario's enhanced support and recognition of the unique role that Aboriginal Institutes play in the post-secondary landscape; culturally responsive and enriched learning that values Indigenous knowledge and languages, with academic rigour."

PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR MAMDOUH SHOUKRI AND OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, YORK UNIVERSITY
"Changes to #OSAP program excellent news for our students, easing access to additional financial aid."

DIANE J. BRISEBOIS, PRESIDENT & CEO, RETAIL COUNCIL OF CANADA
"Transit and transportation investments are important ones from a retail perspective, moving our customers, employees and goods, and generally improving the economic picture in Ontario. We are appreciative that the government is funding these infrastructure investments from general revenues and from proceeds of the proposed cap-and-trade system, rather than by measures that would have discriminated against retailers, like regional sales taxes and parking stall levies."

BRIAN LEWIS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MEDEC
"We are very pleased that the Wynne government has recognized the immense untapped potential of Ontario's medical technology industry by choosing to implement all of the very thoughtful and practical recommendations put forth by the Ontario Health Innovation Council." These initiatives have the potential to make Ontario a world-wide medical technology leader and will positively transform the way that our industry operates in the province – benefitting patients, the healthcare system and the economy."

KEVIN EDGSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, EACOM, TIMBER CORPORATION
"EACOM is pleased to see the government recommitting to the Forest Roads Funding Program.  While we hope the government will return the program to previous funding levels in the future, the investment in the 2015 Budget is a positive and important step that will help support a sustainable forestry sector in Ontario."

CANDACE CHARTIER, CEO OF THE ONTARIO LONG TERM CARE ASSOCIATION
"Today's budget will help, but more is still required to ensure our homes are able to meet the growing support and care needs of their residents, especially when it comes to supporting the mental health needs of our seniors. In the coming weeks we'll be looking to meet with government officials to make care, comfort, and safety a priority."

JANET ROSSANT, CHIEF OF RESEARCH, SICKKIDS, INTERIM DIRECTOR, ONTARIO INSTITUTE OF REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
"Ontario is at the forefront of innovation in regenerative medicine and we welcome the ongoing support of the Ontario government.  This investment of $25M will ensure that we can continue to advance research and treatments for the benefit of our long term health and prosperity."

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MUSIC CANADA LIVE
"The Board of Directors of Music Canada Live applaud today's budget, Premier Wynne, Minister Coteau and the Government of Ontario on the renewal of the Ontario Music Fund, aimed at strengthening Ontario's music industry while advancing live music and creating opportunities for emerging artists. Today's announcement once again endorses music as a strong industry partner in achieving economic and cultural goals, here in the province and around the world."

RALPH PALUMBO, VICE-PRESIDENT, ONTARIO, INSURANCE BUREAU OF CANADA
"It's clear that the government recognized that the auto insurance product needed reforms to work better for consumers. These reforms will remove excessive costs and this will result ultimately in lower premiums for Ontario's 9.4 million drivers. This shows, once again, the Ontario government's leadership and commitment to consumers."

DR. WILLIAM REICHMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, BAYCREST
"The Government of Ontario has recognized the value of investing in solutions that can meet the growing demand for new senior's care technologies and practices. Our population is aging rapidly, and with that comes increased incidences of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. Along with our partners, we can now leverage expertise and resources that will bring clinically-validated, innovative products and services to market faster."

GAIL SMYTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SKILLS ONTARIO
"Skills Ontario is delighted to see the Ontario Government invest in the future of young people entering skilled trade careers through an apprenticeship program.  This significant investment sends a strong signal to students, teachers, parents and employers that the skilled trades are viable, first choice career options for young people.  I applaud the Government for recognizing the importance of providing tangible incentives to young Ontarians that will provide a pathway to stable and rewarding employment."

ONTARIO LONG TERM CARE ASSOCIATION
"The Ontario Long Term Care Association called the Government of Ontario's Budget 2015 a good step towards improving the care being provided to seniors in long-term care homes. The Association added that additional investments are still needed for homes to provide the appropriate care for seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia now, and in the years to come."

DONNA RUBIN, CEO ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES AND SERVICES FOR SENIORS
"We fully support increased community investments as one important step in strengthening the full continuum of care for seniors in Ontario."

BERNARD JORDAAN, PRESIDENT, UNITED SENIOR CITIZENS OF ONTARIO
"I think it has a lot of good things. We're very pleased with the Minister's efforts to get us double the Community Grant from $1million to $2million so we can have more and more seniors clubs and seniors groups in the communities to get our seniors out of their homes and get them more involved in activities."

SUE HESJEDAL, OLDER ADULT CENTRES ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
"The budget announced that the Seniors Community Grant funding has been doubled to $2million dollars. That's going to help so many more seniors community groups across our province and so many seniors at the grassroots level. Thank you very much."

SOURCE Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

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