Ontario government unveils the 2024 provincial budget

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government released the 2024 provincial budget on Tuesday, March 26th.

This year’s budget is titled “Building a Better Ontario” and features a number of investments. These include $1 billion in the province’s new Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, a $546 million investment in primary health care, the launch of a $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund and an addition of $100 million in the Skills Development Fund Training Stream.

“In the face of global economic uncertainty and high interest rates that continue to put pressure on Ontario families, our government is taking a responsible approach by investing to rebuild Ontario’s economy without raising taxes,” Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said, in a statement. “As we invest in key public services and infrastructure, including new roads, highways and the largest public transit expansion in North America, we refuse to offload the costs onto hardworking Ontario families or municipalities at a time when they’re counting on us to keep costs down.”

He also promised the province will continue to invest “prudently to help create stronger communities and better opportunities for future generations.”

Durham MPP Todd McCarthy also responded to the news of the budget’s release.

“Our Government continues to provide strategic and necessary investments in Ontario’s infrastructure, getting more homes built faster, and attracting better jobs for Ontarians while keeping costs down for hardworking families,” his statement read. “The 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario delivers on our local commitment to extend GO Transit service to Courtice and Bowmanville, build new schools, and provides more money for local primary healthcare teams. With this new budget, we are creating stronger communities for the future and focused on creating prosperity for generations to come.”