Queen’s Park in Toronto. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Local reaction to the newly-released Ontario budget is starting to come in.
Northumberland-Quinte West Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi says his government is taking big steps by increasing funding to a number of different areas.
Meanwhile, Bay of Quinte Progressive Conservative Todd Smith, says the new financial plan will only make life more expensive for Ontarians.
Smith added that the tuition plan will only pay off for about 30% of eligible students.
And Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison has weighed in as well.
He tells Quinte News he’s happy with a plan to implement infrastructure funding.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce sees a lot of evidence that the provincial Liberal government has been listening to the business community.
CEO of the Belleville and District Chamber Bill Saunders says the deficit is much lower than had been anticipated and he hopes the government can make good on promises for balanced budgets soon.
The business community is happy that there’ll be help for industries that would be hit hard under the Liberal cap and trade plan on carbon emissions, and that more money will be invested in infrastructure.
Saunders says infrastructure investment should focus on roads highways, airports, and other facilities that make doing business easier.
The Mayor of Prince Edward County says he is “pretty impressed” with yesterday’s Ontario government budget for this year.
Mayor Robert Quaiff supports move to increase provincial funding for municipal infrastructure and connecting links, or roadways.
He is particularily impressed with the Liberal government’s promise to have a new ferry ferry running between Amherst and Wolfe Island.
Mayor Quaiff says he has confidence the province’s deficit/debt can be handled over the long term.
The provincial government’s focus on improving access to post-secondary education is sitting well with the President of Loyalist College.
Maureen Piercy says the free tuition payments coming for young people from poor families and tuition support on the way for students from families of modest income will end up being a boost to the economy in general.
Piercy says the financial help will really help young people and their families in eastern Ontario, where average incomes are generally lower than in other parts of southern Ontario.
Loyalist’s President also likes the 20 million dollar investment in college-based research projects promised in the budget.
The head of a local agency that offers aid to those of limited financial means believes there is
a lot to like in the provincial Liberal budget.
Ruth Ingersoll of the Community Development Council of Quinte is giving a thumbs up
to an updated affordable housing strategy, more funding for children with special needs,
increases in welfare rates, and plans to make post-secondary education more affordable.
Ruth Ingersoll of the Community Development Council of Quinte.
