November 8, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. Liberal government has decided that if they can’t get the private sector to use the cash hoard they have then they will spend their way of out the mess we got into back in 2008 when Wall Street almost bankrupted the world.
Charles Sousa, Ontario’s Minister of Finance told the provincial Legislature on Thursday that the government’s economic plan, released today, “makes strategic investments in people and infrastructure to support an innovative business climate.” And just what is an “innovate” business climate? Sounds like corporate happy talk.
The government’s plan “builds on the province’s strengths and the potential of our people and is the surest, fairest way to balance the budget by 2017-18.”
The government maintains that the opposition wants drastic, across-the-board cuts to the vital programs and services on which the people of Ontario rely. “That will harm our economy, not help it. The people of Ontario are worried about the future and they need the support, steady hand and investment of their government.” said the Minister.
“We choose to address our economic challenges by investing in our future: giving individuals, communities and industries the tools and opportunities they deserve. And so in the Fall Economic Statement I announced a number of actions, including:
We will create two new ways to fund crucial infrastructure investments without raising taxes – The Trillium Trust and the introduction of Green Bonds
We will spend $35 billion over three years to modernize infrastructure, creating 100,000 jobs a year
We will work with businesses to identify tools that encourage them to invest their cash reserves in the economy, creating jobs, improving productivity and leading to province-wide growth
We will introduce Ontario’s first ever Seniors Grant to help non-profit community groups promote healthy, active and engaged seniors across the province
We will work to make sure everyone in Ontario can retire with comfort and secure
We will make it easier for Ontario’s small businesses to hire and grow by cutting the Employer Health Tax for 60,000 Ontario small businesses.”
So what does the Fall Economic Statement mean for you?
It means your government claims that you will have the support you need to care for your families and contribute to the economy. It means communities across Ontario will be safe and strong. And it means Ontario will promote a competitive environment that draws investment and creates jobs.
Might this also mean our government is changing direction and repositioning itself before it goes to the polls for your support.
Let’s see what they can do – but please – actually do something before you ask for our vote.
35 billion to create 100,000 jobs by my math is $350,000.00 per job. I guess the $35 billion comes from the tax payer via tax increases to create these jobs? Are they Public Sector jobs?
As someone who has worked in the Private Sector in independent business for the last 25 years, my “cash hoard” seems to be missing. Could it have anything to do with the gross mismanagement of this provincial government over the last decade?
The “surest fairest way to balance the budget” would be for Minister Sousa to encourage his Party to adopt a new policy of not wasting our tax dollars. Create an economic environment for independent to operate and succeed. Sadly, this is not the “way” of this Party and they will miss the mark, again.
“do something before you ask for our vote”? Often I feel ‘do nothing’ would have been better.