The Reviews Continue: Ontario Liberal Budget creates jobs and grows the economy

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Feb. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontario's 2016 Liberal budget makes investments to build Ontario up, create new jobs and grow the economy.

JOSEPH MCDONALD, PRESIDENT, AUTISM ONTARIO
"(Ontario's 2016) budget announcement will change the course of history for so many deserving families. The calls for change from Autism Ontario have clearly been heard, and we applaud this government for standing with us in our efforts to build a brighter future."

ROB BURLIE, PRESIDENT, OGRA
"I am pleased to see that the Government of Ontario remains committed to implementation of its Building Together strategy. This program will provide the infrastructure investments that are needed for Ontario's municipalities and First Nations to grow and prosper."

JIM MADDER, PRESIDENT, CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
"I'm just absolutely thrilled…As part of that changing economy, changing economic base that we have, we need to have more local manufacturing that occurs. We've got some great things going on, the myZone that's on campus and (the Ontario Budget) will allow us to grow it, and allow us to graduate more students in manufacturing and have them stay in the area and support greater manufacturing throughout Northwestern Ontario."

BARRY STEINBERY, CEO, CONSULTING ENGINEERS OF ONTARIO
"Queen's Park is showing a commitment to sound, evidence-based decision making, and to dedicated revenue streams to fund these important investments. These are crucial to elements for delivering successful improvements for Ontarians."

JAN DE SILVA, PRESIDENT & CEO, TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"We commend the Premier for recognizing the necessity to invest in productivity enhancing transportation infrastructure."

KAREN MICHELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL OF ACADEMIC HOSPITALS OF ONTARIO
"Health research makes Ontario healthier, wealthier and smarter. We welcome the announcement of increased funding for Ontario hospitals."

ELIZABETH MULHOLLAND, CEO, PROSPER CANADA
"We commend the Ontario government for its vision and leadership in putting the financial empowerment supports in place that struggling Ontario families need to build a stronger financial future.  There is growing evidence that these supports, together, are highly effective at helping people with low incomes to move from day-to-day survival to real opportunity. We are delighted that the Ontario government is leading the way by investing in these supports as part of its poverty reduction efforts."

PATRICK LECLERC, PRESIDENT & CEO, CANADIAN URBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION
"We're happy to see the ongoing focus on transit in Ontario, today's innovation funding announcement for CUTRIC is an important milestone in furthering Canada as a leader in transit innovation.  In addition to commitments made in last year's budget we're also encouraged to see that transit is a category that will benefit from the proposed cap-and-trade system."

AMIT CHAKMA, PRESIDENT, WESTERN UNIVERSITY
"Working together, our universities are uniquely positioned to build greater economic activity for our cities and region. We are buoyed by the possibilities this funding holds for research, innovation and a dynamic knowledge-based economy in Ontario."

JENNIFER LAIDLEY, INCOME SECURITY ADVOCACY CENTRE
"Ending the dollar-for-dollar clawback is stellar news for single parents on social assistance."

FERIDUN HAMDULLAHPUR, PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
"This consortium combines the existing strengths of three dynamic institutions in the heart of Ontario's manufacturing region to ensure Ontario capitalizes on the transition from traditional manufacturing to manufacturing driven by knowledge and innovation. Our universities are uniquely positioned to lead the transition to manufacturing driven by knowledge and innovation and make a lasting impact on the economic prosperity of our province."

KELLY GORMAN, SENIOR MANAGER, CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY (ONTARIO)
"As an organization dedicated to tobacco control and helping smokers quit, we applaud the Ontario government's commitment to invest further in smoking cessation programs."

KIM DONALDSON, VICE PRESIDENT, ONTARIO, INSURANCE BUREAU OF CANADA
"Auto insurance fraud continues to be a serious problem and has plagued the Ontario auto insurance system costing as much as $1.6 billion a year.  We are thrilled to see the Government make the fight against fraud a priority."

PATRICK DEAN, PRESIDENT, MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
"We have a great history of working with industry and university partners to create new products and processes to give companies a competitive advantage. Ontario's support for this partnership is a vote of confidence in our researchers and students and signals the province's commitment to the economic future of our region."

SOURCE Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

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