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Ontario had seen the lowest unemployment 5.8 percent in April since 2001.

 

After the approval of its "balanced" budget this week the government said it is supporting a stronger, healthier Ontario, which included considerable investments in health care and education, including free prescription medications for everyone aged 24 and under through Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and Children and Youth Pharmacare, starting in January 2018.

The 2017 "Balanced Budget" is part of the government's plan to invest in people, communities and businesses across the province to help strengthen Ontario's economy to create jobs, and help people in their everyday lives.

A balanced budget ensures access to more funding for the programs and services for the people, the government said.

 “Ontario’s balanced budget is more than just the bottom line number, it’s about creating more opportunities and providing greater support for people. This balanced budget makes crucial investments in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges across the province. Our plan continues to bolster Ontario’s strong reputation as a driver of progressive policy and a leader in economic growth," said Charles Sousa, Provincial Minister of Finance.

The government’s investment of more than $190 billion is the largest infrastructure investment, over the 13-year period starting in 2014–15, in the province’s history in helping to build new child care spaces, schools, hospitals, public transit, highways and roads.

Exports and business investments are increasing and the unemployment rate continues to decline, claimed the government

With this current budget, the province plans to create 40,000 new work-related opportunities, by launching a new Career Kick-Start Strategy, which would help students and recent graduates to have the necessary experience they need to help land a good job.

Over the last three years, supported by the government's strategic investments, Ontario's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has surpassed that of all G7 countries.

Health care funding is being increased by $11.5 billion by our government over three years to reduce wait times, improve access to care and faster recovery of patients.

An additional $6.4 billion over three years is also being on invested on education to help learners reach their full potential by supporting from kindergarten right through the postsecondary education.

 The present budget would create for 100,000 more children to access affordable, quality licensed child care than in addition 24,000, allocated in 2017-18, it said.

The current budget would bring a reduction of the household electricity bills by 25 percent on average, beginning this summer, and will hold rate increases to inflation for four years, said the government.

In addition to large investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in Ontario's history, the budget would ensure more affordable housing for homebuyers and renters through Ontario's Fair Housing Plan, the government claimed.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)