There are some good ideas in the Ford government’s proposed budget according to the Executive Director of the Community Development Council of Quinte.
Ruth Ingersoll likes plans for increased investment in employment training, increased spending on health care personnel and facilities, and investment in high-speed internet.
However, Ingersoll says more money is needed for people on social assistance programs such as Ontario Works, and the .50 cent an hour increase in the minimum wage just doesn’t cut it.
“We know that people who are working full-time minimum wage now still can’t afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment. You know it is a huge crisis and it’s leaving people in dire straits.”
Ingersoll was happy to see talk of housing investment in the proposed budget.
“I was pleased to see they realize we have a housing crisis. But there’s no details on their plan really. They want to implement a long term plan to address it but we need a good short term plan as we know people don’t have housing right now.”
Ruth Ingersoll, Executive Director of the Community Development Council of Quinte. (Photo: Quinte News)
