NEWS	March 6, 2008

The 2008 Budget will be delivered in the Ontario legislature at approximately 4:00 p.m. on March 25, 2008.  Details and registration information for the media lockup will be available shortly.

The first Budget of the second mandate will continue to build on strategic investments made over the last four years.

QUOTES

“In the 2008 Budget, we will work to strengthen Ontario's economic growth by investing in what matters most to Ontarians,” said Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan. “We are continuing to build on the last four Budgets, as our goal is to further strengthen Ontario's economy.”

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario Budget is the major policy document outlining the government's plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Within its first mandate, the McGuinty government eliminated an inherited $5.5-billion deficit while making historic investments in health care, education and infrastructure.
• In 2004, the Budget focused on improving health care and investing in education.
• In 2005, the Budget focused on post-secondary education with a historic $6.2 billion investment in the government's Reaching Higher Initiative.
• In 2006, the Budget focused on a $1.2 billion investment in MoveOntario to build better roads, bridges and public transit.
• In 2007, the Budget focused on a $2.1 billion Ontario Child Benefit to help children in low-income families.

LEARN MORE

After Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's speech, which will be live on the ministry's website, copies of the Budget speech and technical papers will be available for downloading at no cost or through Publications Ontario.

Read about eliminating the deficit and balancing the books.

Read about added transparency and accountability.  

Steve Erwin, Minister's Office, 416 325-3645 Scott Blodgett, CCAB, 416-325-0324	ontario.ca/finance-news Disponible en français