Edelman Canada's Perspective on the Liberal Ontario Budget 2018

1. Doug Ford
“Today’s budget includes massive tax increases that will hit 1.8 million hard-working Ontarians and their families, as well as tens of
thousands of businesses. Shockingly, this budget includes $2 billion in new tax increases over the next three years… The only good
news in this budget for the people of Ontario is that this will be Kathleen Wynne’s last budget.”
2018
overview
Premier Kathleen Wynne released her final Budget before the
June 7 election. This budget boasts a 2017 surplus of $600
million. Although previously promising to balance the books,
the Liberals are proposing a deficit equal to one per cent of
GDP – potentially as high as $6.7 billion.
To support new investments the government is proposing
to raise personal income taxes on those earning $92,000 +,
which will result in 1.8 million Ontarians paying approximately
$200 more annually. Conversely, roughly 680 000 people are
expected to see personal income tax reductions.
Although this Budget is being presented 2 months out from the
provincial election, it is essentially the Liberal election platform.
The Ontario PC Party has said they will eliminate $6 billion of
spending through found savings, although to date, they have
not laid out any details of that plan.
health care
The cornerstone of Budget 2018 is increased investments
to healthcare directed at increasing mental health support
and reducing wait-times. Earlier this year, the government
implemented OHIP+ which provides free prescription
drugs for anyone under 25.
Budget 2018 expands this coverage to all Ontarians over
65. The Budget also includes substantial investments in
mental health care, promising a four-year investment of
$2.1 billion and $822 million to address overcrowding and
wait times.
infrastructure
Earlier this month, the Premier announced that $9-billion of federal and provincial funds earmarked for infrastructure will go
to Toronto for a slew of transit projects, including the Scarborough subway extension, a downtown subway relief line, a Yonge
subway extension, and the “Smart Track” plan. In today’s budget, there was further investment of $160 million on new and
upgraded infrastructure including the electrification of the UP express. There will also be a further $11 billion dedicated to high-
speed rapid transit spanning from Toronto to Windsor.
ontario provincial BUDGET
TOM CHERVINSKY
Account Director Public Affairs, Toronto
DAVID MESSER
Vice President Public Affairs, Toronto
$146 BILLION IN NEW PROGRAM SPENDING
reactions
$61.3 billion to healthcare
$28.2 billion for education
$12.5 billion for interest on the debt
$2.2 billion for free childcare for those 2.5 years
and up starting in 2020
NDP
“Better to look good than feel good: Kathleen Wynne’s final budget is a disappointing, last-ditch pitch for votes – with the details
failing to live up to her vote-grabbing hype.”
Edelman Toronto | March 2018 | 150 Bloor St. West | Toronto ON M5S 2X9 | 416-979-1120
$2 billion in revenue from Cap and Trade next
year alone (to be reinvested in carbon reduction
initiatives)
$500 million to expand broadband in rural and
remote areas
$1 billion over 3 years for supporting home care
Ontario Chamber
“Although the Government is making smart investments in skills development, the ever-rising cost of doing business in Ontario is
hindering economic growth,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO. “The Ontario Budget not only fails to provide the offsets our
members need, it will leave some businesses, including small businesses, paying more in taxes.”
Unifor Canada
“Ontario budget’s investments in public services show continued momentum towards social justice and effectiveness of political activism.”
Environmental Defence
“Ontario’s Budget 2018 shows continued commitment to protecting the environment, fighting #climatechange and building a clean economy”