Hello. I’m Dwight Duncan, Ontario’s Minister of Finance.
I’m proud to present key highlights of Ontario’s 2008 Budget – the first budget of the McGuinty government’s second mandate.
This Budget is our plan to grow a stronger Ontario – a plan to help our workers, families, businesses and communities make the transition to a new period of economic growth.
Our 2008 Budget introduces the Skills to Jobs Action Plan, a $1.5 billion investment in skills for new careers, expanding aid for postsecondary students and building places to learn.
Our goal is to have the greatest number of people possible working in the jobs that will strengthen Ontario’s competitive advantage.
Highlights this year include $1 billion in new funding for municipal infrastructure. This means building and fixing our roads, bridges and other important local projects that will create thousands of jobs and improve our communities.
We’re also proposing $750 million in tax reductions for businesses. This will provide immediate help to manufacturers and resource companies facing challenges from a changing economy.
We’re also investing nearly $300 million to strengthen innovation so our researchers and entrepreneurs can turn ideas into reality.
Our goal is to give everyone a fair chance to succeed and participate in Ontario’s prosperity. That’s why we are also continuing to invest in Ontario families.
Our investments mean:
- A better start in life for our children;
- More affordable housing for low-income families;
- Increased support for seniors;
- Affordable postsecondary education; and
- A prosperous and healthy Ontario.
The 2008 Budget invests more than $40 billion in health care to improve access to medical services, shorten wait times and promote healthy lifestyles.
Our Budget also includes measures to keep our environment healthy – by encouraging energy conservation, fighting climate change and reducing toxic substances. A greener Ontario is healthier Ontario.
I invite you to take some time to learn more about this Budget and how, together, we are growing a stronger Ontario.
Thank you.