QUEEN’S PARK – John Fraser, Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and MPP for Ottawa South, issued the following statement:
“Today, Doug Ford had the opportunity to address the ongoing labour crisis in our healthcare system, introduce new measures that would make life more affordable for families who are finding it harder and harder, each and every day, to make ends meet, and take real action to combat climate change. Instead, he has reintroduced a budget that fails to reflect today’s reality and the issues currently faced by Ontarians.
“Emergency room closures are compromising the health of patients across the province. The government needs to repeal Bill 124 and prioritize the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers, so that Ontarians can get the care they need, when they need it.
“Doug Ford has also done nothing to make life more affordable. In fact, as soon as he took office, he approved the highest rent increase in almost a decade under the guise of a “cap.” Doug Ford must stop making life harder for families and reinstate rent control everywhere in Ontario. Moreover, his 5% increase in ODSP is not enough, and is a failure to recognize that the most vulnerable Ontarians are the ones suffering the most. Doug Ford must immediately raise ODSP by 20% and reinstate the basic income pilot..
“And on climate change – the biggest threat to our province and to the health and safety of future generations – Doug Ford and his government are nowhere to be seen. Today’s budget makes zero effort to protect our children’s futures, making it clear he thinks the climate crisis is their problem, not his. He’s wrong.
“It has been two months since the election, and this is all that the government has to offer – nothing new on healthcare, nothing new on affordability, and nothing new on the environment.
“Ontarians deserve better, and Ontario Liberals continue to demand that Doug Ford address these issues directly in the Legislature.”
-30-