Today the PC government released their first Ontario Budget entitled “Protecting What Matters Most”. In this budget, the government spoke about a foundation of four clear priorities:
- First – Restoring accountability and trust by introducing a credible, sustainable and fully costed plan that will return the province to fiscal balance in five years.
- Second – Protecting what matters most by adopting bold new ways to deliver services in areas of health care and education, while supporting our front-line workers.
- Third – Putting people first by making life more affordable and convenient with a new Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax credit, a plan to make auto insurance more accessible and affordable, an expanded rapid transit system, and a reduced Estate Administration Tax.
- Fourth – Making Ontario Open for Business and Open for Jobs by lowering business costs, and making it easier for employers to hire workers and for workers to find a job.
The focus on health included mainly investments in hospitals, long-term care, home and community care and mental health and addictions. There was also a focus on reducing inefficiencies by streamlining back-office functions and the mention of the implementation of a digital first strategy which will increase the use of virtual care in the province.
There was no mention of any further investments in primary care nor was there any mention of the already committed recruitment and retention funding made in last year’s budget so we will work with our Ministry colleagues to get further information on that.
In the meantime, please find attached a brief on the health care commitments made in the 2019 budget. Further information, including H&K’s synopsis, will be uploaded on our website once we receive it.
Additional information: