McGUINTY GOVERNMENT’S 2006 BUDGET IS BUILDING OPPORTUNITY IN KINGSTON AND THE ISLANDS

KINGSTON– The McGuinty government’s third budget continues to build Ontario’s economic advantage by strengthening the province’s transportation infrastructure and investing in the education, skills and health of Ontarians, while staying on track to eliminate the deficit, MPP John Gerretsen announced today.

“Our government’s plan is working for Kingston and area,” said Gerretsen. “By investing in what matters most to the people in our community – education, health care and infrastructure – we are building opportunity and strengthening the economy, creating jobs and prosperity for all of us.”

In its 2006 budget, our government is introducing Move Ontario – a major new $1.2 billion investment in roads, bridges and transit. Included in this investment is $400 million to help 428 municipalities address critical road and bridge improvements. Municipalities will determine their own road and bridge priorities.

 “We have made a strategic and prudent choice to invest in transportation infrastructure. Through Move Ontario, our government is investing $4,852,958 for the City of Kingston and more than $2.1 million for Frontenac County.”  

There are no new taxes or tax increases in the 2006 budget.  The deficit is projected to be $1.4 billion for 2005-06 and will be eliminated completely in 2008-09 at the latest, or one-year earlier if the reserve is not required.

This year’s investments in postsecondary education will:

• ensure more postsecondary students qualify for upfront grants by doubling the family income threshold for a family with two children to $75,000. The total number of students who will benefit in September 2006 will be about 60,000, up from 32,000;
• cover the full cost of books for 75 per cent of all student aid recipients;
• reduce student debt by forgiving the portion of government student loans that exceed $7,000 per completed year.

“Reaching Higher will double spending on student aid,” said Gerretsen. “We are working hard to ensure that more Ontarians have access to the highest quality postsecondary education system possible.”

The 2006 budget continues to invest in the McGuinty government’s priorities of health care, education, skills and providing for Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens.  The investments include:

• an additional $1.9 billion in health care in 2006-07, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and reducing wait times;
• $12 million in 2006-07 – growing to $30 million in 2008-09 – to fund the purchase of insulin pumps and related supplies for 6,500 children with Type-1 diabetes;
• expanding the Ontario Breast Screening Program to increase access for women between 50 and 74;
• increasing support to school boards by $424 million from the previous year, to $11.2 billion;
• an additional $218 million for Ontario’s at-risk youth and vulnerable adults;
• creating the $2.1 billion Jobs and Skills Renewal Strategy to expand services for the unemployed, the underemployed, new Canadians, the working poor and social assistance recipients.

“Our budget takes a balanced and responsible approach to strengthen our communities and our province,” said Gerretsen. “It builds on opportunity by investing in our people and the strength of our economy, to ensure that Kingston continues to be a great place to live and work.”

For more information on the 2006 budget please call 1-800-337-7222 or visit www.ontariobudget.ca.

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For more information contact:
John Gerretsen, MPP
(613) 547-2385