NEWS May 2, 2014 LONDON – Our government is moving forward with a 10-year plan for the economy focused on investing in people, building modern infrastructure and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate. This will create jobs and build opportunity and security for Ontario families. The government will continue to manage growth in spending and will balance the budget by 2017-2018, while making strategic investments in key public services. The 2014 Ontario Budget will be making investments that include: • Creating the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan that cost-effectively builds on the Canada Pension Plan in order to build Ontarians a more secure retirement future. • A 10-year $130 billion transportation and transit plan featuring $29 billion in dedicated funding. Included in this plan is a high-speed rail line from London to Toronto. • Creating jobs through creating a new 10-year $2.5 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund. • A $295 million investment in the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy. Since September, it has already helped over 10,000 young people gain work experience and find jobs. • Eliminating waitlists for people with developmental disabilities and helping more than 21,000 people get the care and supports they and their families need. • $11 billion for elementary and secondary education infrastructure and $11.5 billion in major hospital expansions and redevelopments. • Increasing Ontario Child Benefit and wages for personal support workers and front-line child care workers. • Providing new and expanded programs to help manage electricity costs • Continuing to reform the social assistance system, which will improve income supports and reduce barriers to entering the workforce. Our government is working hard to help all Ontarians by putting forward a balanced budget that works to eliminate the deficit, invest in job creation and provide opportunities for families. QUOTES “I’m proud that our government has presented a fair budget that provides more jobs, more opportunities and a more secure future for Ontario. It’s very clear Minister Sousa listened during his pre-budget consultations and heard Ontarians loud and clear. Our plan is responsible and strikes the right balance for Ontario families.” \- Deb Matthews MPP, London North Centre 242 Piccadilly Street London ON N6A 1S4 – Phone (519) 432-7339 Fax (519) 432-0613 Email: dmatthews.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org PRESS RELEASE CONTINUED…. “High Speed Rail access from London to Toronto would be a game changer for our economy. London's financial services, insurance, professional services and digital creative industries will benefit significantly from greater and quicker access to downtown Toronto. Such transportation links will help grow our downtown, attract talent and create jobs in London.” \- Kapil Lakhotia, General Manager, London Economic Development Corporation "This is great news for people with developmental disabilities and for families waiting for support and for the sector. The developmental service sector has been in desperate need of a serious investment for some time now. We are very pleased that the government has developed an action plan to address the thousands of people waiting for support and to stabilize the sector for future generations of people with a developmental disability. “ \- Michelle Palmer, Executive Director, Community Living London ‘On behalf of individuals with a developmental disability and their families, Participation House Support Services London and Area, applauds the government’s significant investment in developmental services. This announcement will dramatically increase supports and services to individuals and families in our area and provincially. The government has listened to individuals and families who have expressed the critical need for supports and services and who are on wait lists, with no options until now—this is truly a day of celebration for them and with them. Individuals and families will be able to choose and direct the supports and services that best meets their needs and support them to participate in their community. We salute the government’s intention to eliminate waiting lists and address other pressures facing the developmental services system” \- Brian Dunne, Executive Director, Participation House “The London Intercommunity Health Centre and our partners deliver the Dynamic Dozen program, funded by the Youth Jobs Strategy, and supporting the employment of more than 40 youth each summer. The initiative enables youth from neighbourhoods with low-incomes and high unemployment to secure their first jobs. This employment opportunity builds skills that will help them get future employment while making their community more vibrant. I’m glad that the Youth Jobs Strategy is being proposed to continue in the 2014 Budget.” \- Michelle Hurtubise, Executive Director, London Intercommunity Health Centre LEARN MORE 2014 Ontario Budget CONTACT Katie Stewart, Communications Assistant Deb Matthews MPP 519-432-7339