Leona Dombrowsky, MPP – Prince Edward-Hastings

May 11, 2005

Budget invests in people, strengthens Ontario’s economy
Farmers to receive $15 million more this year

NAPANEE — The McGuinty government’s second Budget makes key investments in Ontario’s priorities — education, health and a strong economy — while making significant progress toward eliminating the deficit, Leona Dombrowsky MPP said today.

“Our government has set out a plan to deliver better schools, better health care, and a smarter investment in infrastructure,” said Dombrowsky.

The 2005 Budget builds on our progress with a historic, $6.2 billion investment in post-secondary education — the largest multi-year investment in 40 years.

The Budget provides increased investments in health — with more doctors and nurses, shorter wait times, investments in community and mental health services, and the creation of more Family Health Teams to improve care in underserviced areas.

The McGuinty government is also making key investments in rural Ontario. We have provided more than $30 million to help beef farmers cope with the BSE crisis and $31 million to support rural schools. The budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been boosted by $15 million this year. The Budget also commits an additional $28 million for rural economic development in 2005-06 and $1.1 billion in capital funding for highways.

The Budget contains no tax increases, no new taxes and projects a balanced budget by 2008-09 at the latest – a year earlier if the reserve is not required. The 2004-05 deficit has been reduced by almost half of what we inherited from the previous government to $3 billion.

“This Budget is a balanced responsible approach that we believe is the right one for Ontario’s future,” Dombrowsky said. “It is a plan to invest in our people – in their health, education and prosperity – to strengthen our economy and to ensure that Ontario is the place to be for years to come.”




	News Releases
	May 11, 2005 Budget invests in people, strengthens Ontario’s economy Farmers to receive $15 million more this year NAPANEE — The McGuinty government’s second Budget makes key investments in Ontario’s priorities — education, health and a strong economy — while making significant progress toward eliminating the deficit, Leona Dombrowsky MPP said today. “Our government has set out a plan to deliver better schools, better health care, and a smarter investment in infrastructure,” said Dombrowsky. The 2005 Budget builds on our progress with a historic, $6.2 billion investment in post-secondary education — the largest multi-year investment in 40 years. The Budget provides increased investments in health — with more doctors and nurses, shorter wait times, investments in community and mental health services, and the creation of more Family Health Teams to improve care in underserviced areas. The McGuinty government is also making key investments in rural Ontario. We have provided more than $30 million to help beef farmers cope with the BSE crisis and $31 million to support rural schools. The budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been boosted by $15 million this year. The Budget also commits an additional $28 million for rural economic development in 2005-06 and $1.1 billion in capital funding for highways. The Budget contains no tax increases, no new taxes and projects a balanced budget by 2008-09 at the latest – a year earlier if the reserve is not required. The 2004-05 deficit has been reduced by almost half of what we inherited from the previous government to $3 billion. “This Budget is a balanced responsible approach that we believe is the right one for Ontario’s future,” Dombrowsky said. “It is a plan to invest in our people – in their health, education and prosperity – to strengthen our economy and to ensure that Ontario is the place to be for years to come.”