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

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Feb. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Today's Ontario Liberal budget makes investments to build Ontario up, create new jobs and grow the economy.

LINDA JEFFREY, MAYOR, BRAMPTON
"I was pleased to see that Budget 2016 highlighted this government's continued commitment to postsecondary education expansion; improved and increased GO rail service on the Kitchener corridor to and from Brampton; attracting greater foreign direct investment for all municipalities; and continuing to invest in infrastructure such as roads, public transit and hospitals."

FRED EISENBERGER, MAYOR, HAMILTON
"I want to thank Premier Wynne and Minister McMeekin for his continued support to ensure funding for housing and that the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) remains a priority for Hamilton. We are excited to continue working together going forward."

BONNIE CROMBIE, MAYOR, MISSISSAUGA
"The Wynne government's 2016 provincial budget is a solid plan committed to supporting issues of importance to municipalities, including investing in transit, infrastructure, city-building and economic competitiveness."

CHRIS FRIEL, MAYOR, BRANTFORD
"The transformational impact this development will have on the City of Brantford cannot be overstated… This (GO bus) service will provide vital access to attract interest, innovation, and investment to Brantford."

THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION
The David Suzuki Foundation welcomes the establishment of a cap-and-trade system in Ontario because putting a price on carbon is key to an effective climate action plan. We are pleased with Ontario's leadership today but recognize the system will need to be strengthened to reach the province's carbon pollution goals.

JANET ECKER, PRESIDENT & CEO, TORONTO FINANCIAL SERVICES ALLIANCE
"TFSA welcomes the Government's $160 billion investment in infrastructure over 12 years and urges them to expand and accelerate the use of public-private partnerships for long-term infrastructure projects."

DAVID MILLER, PRESIDENT & CEO, WWF CANADA
"WWF-Canada is pleased to see the Ontario government's clear commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions expressed in today's budget. Thoughtful carbon pricing such as this has the potential to help Ontario and Canada become a strong leader in tackling climate change."

DARREN SMITH, VICE CHAIR, ONTARIO CRAFT BREWERS
"We are very happy to receive this funding. We will use it to assist us with the rollout to grocery stores, which we are very excited about, and, we will use it to support our continued efforts to have a brewery in every city and town in the province."

JOE TIERNAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OGRA
"Today's announcement of $160 Billion of infrastructure investment over 12 years, coming on the back of the tripling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the doubling of Connecting Links that were announced at the OGRA/ROMA Combined Conference, the government is oriented in the right direction"

RAJEAN HOILETT, CHAIRPERSON, CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS - ONTARIO
"For years, students have been sounding the alarm over rising tuition fees and student debt loads that block far too many Ontarians from accessing college and university education. The new Ontario Student Grant is a reflection of our advocacy and an affirmation that government has taken student concerns and suggestions seriously."

SHARLEEN STEWART, PRESIDENT, SEIU HEALTHCARE
 "Today we are pleased to see the 2016 Ontario budget fully realize a government commitment to raise the base wage for PSWs to at least $16.50."

MARK ROMOFF, PRESIDENT & CEO, CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
"With major capital expenditures planned in areas such as public transit, highways, hospitals, and schools, the government is building the critical infrastructure necessary to create jobs and keep Ontario growing today and into the future."

RON MCKERLIE, PRESIDENT, MOHAWK COLLEGE
"This is a good news budget for young people, their families and the communities we serve… More of our students will graduate future-ready and debt-free."

GEORGE HABIB, PRESIDENT & CEO, ONTARIO LUNG ASSOCIATION
"We applaud the government's ongoing commitment to reduce the huge human and economic cost of tobacco use in Ontario. Investments in smoking cessation programs, including access to prescription and over-the-counter medication and behavioural counselling to help smokers quit, pay almost immediate dividends in reduced health-care costs."

RICK FIRTH, PRESIDENT & CEO, HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE ONTARIO
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario commends the Government for its ongoing commitment to hospice care. The $75 million in additional funding in the Budget for community based hospice palliative care demonstrates both compassion and fiscal responsibility.   Community based hospices provide high quality care and good value for the health system.  We thank the Wynne Government for understanding the need and benefits, and in particular to MPP John Fraser for his tireless efforts.

AARON HOUSE, DIRECTOR, POST-SECONDARY AFFAIRS, PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION CANADA
"We are excited to hear that the Ontario Government is providing additional support to low-income youth… Providing tuition grants to low-income youth will increase low-income student access and participation in post-secondary education."

JULIA LANGER, CEO TORONTO ATMOSPHERIC FUND
"With 60% of Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions originating in cities, the Ontario government is making a strategic and ongoing commitment to advancing the urban solutions needed to achieve the province's carbon reduction targets.

DAN BUCHANAN, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES & SERVICES FOR SENIORS
"We are appreciative of today's announcements from the government on increases to Behaviour Supports Ontario. It's clear that they are taking an important step forward in supporting Ontario's seniors. OANHSS will continue to speak out on their behalf to ensure that they receive the support they need."

TIM RICHTER, PRESIDENT & CEO, CANADIAN ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS
"It's great to see the Government of Ontario making an important down payment on its commitment to end chronic homelessness. The investments in supportive housing and the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative are smart and potentially life-saving for vulnerable Ontarians."

LINDA FRANKLIN, PRESIDENT & CEO, COLLEGES ONTARIO
"This budget demonstrates a strong commitment to helping more students acquire the qualifications and professional skills that lead to rewarding careers."

SARAH PETREVAN, SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, CLEAN ENERGY CANADA
"Ontario has done its homework—it has worked to deliver a reasonable cap-and-trade policy that will deliver accountability and transparency. It's a credible and robust policy that will stand up over the long-term… If you want to support clean energy technology, the vital first step is to put a price on carbon. Serious money—a third of a trillion dollars—was invested globally in renewable energy last year.  Momentum is on the side of jurisdictions that get in the game, and as a leader in renewable electricity, Ontario is growing companies that can seize this opportunity."

MERIC GERTLER, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
"We are pleased at this recognition of the University of Toronto's excellence and contribution to the economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and work-integrated learning,"

JACK LIGHTSONE, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BROCK
Many working families living in the Hamilton/Burlington/Oakville area have one parent who's heading into Toronto for work and another heading into Niagara," he says. "GO Train service to Niagara would help make it easier to recruit and retain top talent."

DONNA RUBIN, CEO, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES AND SERVICES FOR SERNIORS
"We are pleased that the government has heard us and has provided targeted, much-needed funding to long term care residents with behavioural issues."

SOURCE Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

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