The Statement projects a deficit of $21.5 billion, an increase of $5.1 billion from the end of the current fiscal year.
Spending is increasing in Ontario with $3 billion in new projects in healthcare, homecare, retirement homes and the initial steps towards the creation of the new Highway 413 and a bypass for Bradford.
Neither of the latter projects has passed the design stage but the Economic Statement sets aside $1.6 billion of the total cost of maintenance on all highways in Ontario for the 2.
A “Staycation” tax credit is being proposed that would see anyone who takes a Trip in the Province next year eligible to claim up to 20 percent of the cost of the trip, up to $1,000 per person or $2,000 for a family.
Healthcare funding is increasing $541 million over the next 3 years in what the government promises aims to increase available nurses and psw’s for home-healthcare. PSW’s will see their wage increase continued through next year.