Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne underscored that the Ontario budget 2018 is an investment in the future of the people of Ontario . At a press conference in Scarborough , the Premier said the budget will help ease the economic problem families in Ontario are facing .
“The economy is growing relatively well, but it’s changing quickly, and that growth isn’t being shared equally. We need a government that invests in care, not cuts. This is exactly what the budget is all about.” She said.
The 2018 Budget is investing in the care that people need most. This includes access to dental benefits they don’t get from their workplaces, and creating free prescription medication for everyone under the age of 25, and everyone over the age of 65 years. The Premier shared the added benefits for seniors in Ontario, noting that our parents and grandparents deserve the best care possible, and the ability to stay in their homes for as long as they are able and want to.
“That’s why we created a new $750 benefit for seniors that will help them with costs around their homes. This will ensure that they can stay in their homes for as long as they want.”
The Ontario government is also investing in 30,000 long-term new long-term care beds. That includes 5,000 spaces for culturally appropriate care in multicultural and Indigenous communities.
“I do not believe that this is the time to make deep cuts to the services the people of Ontario rely on,” the Premier affirmed. “We will continue to expand free tuition so that more low-and middle-income students can go to college or university. We will raise the minimum wage to $15, and we will launch free preschool childcare in 2020 so families have the option to go back to work, if they choose.”
Premier Kathleen , Finance Minister Charles Sousa and their colleagues answered several questions from community media .
Here is the video for the highlights of Ontario Budget 2018 by Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Fiance, Charles Sousa.