Two days after the feds released their budget, the Ontario Liberals outlined the province's financial plan with much criticism.
The 2015 budget includes $11.9-billion to be spent on infrastructure for 2015-16, an extra $200-million for the jobs fund and $9-billion from the sale of 60% of Hydro One. "The people of Windsor are going to risk having control over their publicly-distributed hydro taken away so that we can build transit in Toronto -- that just doesn't seem fair and that just doesn't make sense," says CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn.
NDP MPP for Essex Taras Natyshak is concerned about job creation in this new budget. "Some of the steps outlined in this budget actually cut programs like apprenticeship opportunities. That definitely doesn't make sense for Windsor and Essex County," says Natyshak. "We need a government that actually is connecting with job creators and supporting job creators in our community. Those who are ready to plant roots, not making it harder and certainly not eliminating programs."
The province is also pledging to reach a balanced budget by 2017-18 with a current deficit of $10.9-billion.