Ontario Seeking Public Input in Ottawa and Kingston to Develop the 2018 Budget

Provincewide Pre-Budget Consultations Support Government Plan for Fairness and Opportunity

January 31, 2018 4:00 P.M.
Ministry of Finance

Ontario is seeking public input to help shape policies and programs that will be part of the province’s 2018 Budget.

Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, was in Ottawa and then Kingston today to conduct annual pre-budget consultations. He was joined in Ottawa by MPPs Nathalie Des Rosiers, Bob Chiarelli, Yasir Naqvi, Marie-France Lalonde and John Fraser, and in Kingston by MPP Sophie Kiwala. Remaining consultations will take place over the coming weeks in Oshawa, Brampton, Thunder Bay and Kitchener.

Ontario will also host pre-budget telephone town halls to reach more people across the province, and ideas can be sent by mail, email or fax (416-325-0969) by February 9, 2018.

Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts

• Last year, 71,000 people participated in consultations that informed the 2017 Ontario Budget’s policies and programs.
• Through Budget Talks, Ontario is the first province in Canada to commit to funding ideas submitted by the public as part of its budget process.

Additional Resources

• How to get involved with pre-Budget consultations
• 2017 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review
• Ontario’s financial cycle

Quotes

“The government is committed to hearing the public’s ideas. Pre-budget consultations are an important part of building a budget that reflects the interests and priorities of people from across the province. Public feedback is a necessary part of the equation.”

Charles Sousa
Minister of Finance

“The people of Kingston and the Islands made excellent use of this wonderful opportunity to share their thinking and provide feedback.”

Sophie Kiwala
MPP (Kingston and the Islands)

“I was pleased to see the people of Ottawa share their ideas at this morning’s consultation. Their participation matters and can lead to beneficial outcomes for everyone across Ontario.”

Nathalie Des Rosiers
MPP (Ottawa–Vanier)

“The budget impacts every community in Ontario, so I’m glad to see that people are attending the pre-budget consultations to make their voices heard.”

Bob Chiarelli
MPP (Ottawa West–Nepean)

“Through sharing ideas and identifying priorities, we can ensure that the upcoming budget is fair and represents the people’s genuine interests.”

Yasir Naqvi
MPP (Ottawa Centre)

“We are grateful to everyone for participating in today’s consultations in Ottawa. The insights provided reflect local priorities and will help us position our community — and Ontario — for greater prosperity.”

Marie-France Lalonde
MPP (Ottawa–Orléans)

“I was delighted to see such enthusiastic participation in this session. The communities in and around Ottawa voiced their opinions, and the province will benefit from hearing their perspectives.”

John Fraser
MPP (Ottawa South)

Media Contacts

Jessica Martin
Minister’s Office
jessica.martin@ontario.ca
416-212-5181

Scott Blodgett
Ministry of Finance
scott.blodgett@ontario.ca
416-325-0324

For public inquiries:
1-866-668-8297
TTY: 1-800-263-7776

NT4