Ontario PCs Unveil “Ontario’s Plan to Build”
Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs are ready to Get It Done
Doug Ford and our PC government are building Ontario.
Yesterday, Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge and Minister of Finance, unveiled the 2022 Budget, a plan for better jobs and bigger paycheques, building highways, transit and hospitals, and lower costs for families.
“Under the leadership of Doug Ford, only the Ontario PCs have a real plan to build,” said MPP Bethlenfalvy. “It’s a plan that cuts through excuses to get shovels in the ground now so we can build the roads, highways and public transit for our growing province.”
The budget includes five pillars:
- Rebuilding Ontario’s Economy by creating new jobs with bigger paycheques. The PCs are seizing opportunities in industries the previous Liberal government gave up on and are the only party that will jump-start our auto sector.
- Close to $1 billion for critical mineral infrastructure, such as all-season roads to the Ring of Fire to build the Corridor to Prosperity and seize Ontario’s critical minerals opportunities.
- More than $12 billion attracted in new investment in electric and hybrid vehicles, including Canada’s first full-scale electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor.
- Estimated $8.9 billion in cost savings and support for Ontario employers, including small businesses.
- Working for Workers by raising the minimum wage, investing in skills training and introducing first-in-Canada protections for digital platform workers. Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs are the only party that will have the backs of workers.
- $1 billion annually in employment and training programs:
- An additional $114.4 million over three years for the Skilled Trades Strategy.
- New, three-year applied degree and four-year degree programs at Ontario colleges.
- $15.50 per hour general minimum wage, starting October 1, 2022.
- Building Highways and Key Infrastructure by getting shovels in the ground and Ontarians out of gridlock. At the heart of the plan is a capital investment of $158 billion over the next ten years, with $20 billion in 2022 and 2023 alone, and is the only plan to include trains, subways, and highways.
- $158.8 billion capital plan over 10 years, including $20 billion in 2022–23: one of the most ambitious capital plans in Ontario’s history.
- $25.1 billion in capital over 10 years to support planning, building and improving highways, including Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, Highway 401 and Highway 7.
- $61.6 billion in capital over 10 years for public transit, including expanding GO rail services to London and Bowmanville.
- Keeping Costs Down and putting more money back in Ontarians’ pockets by increasing housing supply, making it less expensive to drive or take transit, and by providing relief on everything from child care to taxes.
- 5.7 cents per litre cut to the gas tax for six months starting July 1.
- $120/year savings in Southern Ontario and $60/year savings in Northern Ontario by eliminating licence plate renewal fees for passenger and light commercial vehicles.
- $300 in additional tax relief in 2022, on average, for 1.1 million lower-income workers through the proposed Low-income Individuals and Families Tax Credit enhancement.
- Scrapping tolls on Highways 412 and 418.
- A Plan to Stay Open by investing in hospitals, long-term care homes and home care, and Ontario’s health care workforce. While other parties will call for more mandates and division, the PCs are investing over $40 billion in capital over 10 years for hospitals and other health infrastructure to meet the challenges that may lie ahead.
- Over $40 billion in capital over 10 years for hospitals and other health infrastructure.
- $764 million over two years to provide nurses with up to $5,000 retention bonus.
- $42.5 million over two years to support expansion of medical education and training.
- Investing an additional $1 billion in home care over three years.
The Liberals and NDP just say “no” and do nothing but criticize. The PCs have a plan, but the work is not over and the job is not done. Doug Ford and the PCs are ready to get it done for Ontarians.