Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivers the 2021 Ontario Budget speech. March 24, 2021. (Capture via YouTube)Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivers the 2021 Ontario Budget speech. March 24, 2021. (Capture via YouTube)
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2021 PC budget to spend billions on 'defeating' COVID-19

The Ontario government has delivered its 2021 budget which lays out plans to stimulate the economy, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and support small businesses and families.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy unveiled a $186.1 billion budget on Wednesday with a projected deficit of $33.1 billion which could take until 2029 to eliminate, the government says.

The spending plan contains over $6 billion for a plan to 'defeat' COVID-19. Ontario says $1 billion will be made available for a province-wide vaccination plan and $2.3 billion for testing and contact tracing.

"Eventually the pandemic will be behind us. It is months, not years away,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. "We will get to that day through the hard work and sacrifice of Team Ontario. Our government is going to be there every step of the way to make good on our commitment to protect people's health and jobs."

Plans to support working families and small businesses was also highlighted. This includes a new job training tax credit to help workers with their training expenses. 

A third round of payments will be made available to families with children through the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit. The amount will double to $400 per child and $500 for each child with special needs. 

A second round of Ontario Small Business Support Grant payments to eligible businesses most affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The government estimates the program will cost $3.4 billion and help upwards of 120,000 small businesses.

Area hospitals will receive funds to help ease pandemic pressures. $1.8 billion will be used to care for COVID-19 patients and address surgical backlogs.

Over the next four years, long-term care facilities will receive $2.6 billion to support building beds, improve living conditions and preventing the virus from spreading within the homes.

Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath said the budget robs Ontarians of hope when they need help most.

"The pandemic’s not over. The pain continues for people and families. This budget was an opportunity to give people the help they need to get to the other side, and to give folks a future with hope. This budget doesn’t do that," said Horwath.

Horwath noted the budget cuts $4.8 billion from program spending, does not add new supports for long-term care residents, and paid sick days and paid time off are also missing from the budget.

Bethlenfalvy said he had no regrets over the government's pandemic spending, or the deficits ahead.

"I'd do it over again, protecting the health and well-being of the people of Ontario," Bethlenfalvy said. "This is what responsible governments do."

-With files from The Canadian Press

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