Ontario's Progressive Conservative government tabled its first budget Thursday. Here are five things to know about the $163 billion spending package.
PATH TO BALANCE: The Tories plan to take five years to balance the books, which means the deficit will not be eliminated before the next election. They say they inherited a $15 billion deficit from the previous Liberal government that has since been cut to $11.7 billion. The Tories plan to reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion in 2019-2020 to $10.3 billion, and further decrease it by $3.5 billion in 2020-2021 to $6.8 billion -- the largest scheduled reduction during their term.
CHILD-CARE TAX CREDIT: The government is creating a new tax credit to help low- and middle-income families pay for child care. The Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses credit, which applies on a sliding scale to families with incomes of up to $150,000, will provide a rebate of up to 75 per cent of care, including in child-care centres, homes and camps. Families could receive up to $6,000 per child under seven, and up to $3,750 per child between seven and 16.
POST-SECONDARY CUTS: The Tories plan to cut post-secondary spending by roughly $400 million -- from $12.1 billion in 2018-2019 to $11.7 billion in 2021-22. The government says it plans to gradually link more of college and university funding to student performance. It will tie 60 per cent of a school's funding by 2024-2025 to yet-to-be finalized metrics that will include student skills and job outcomes.
HEALTH-CARE SPENDING: The province will hike hospital spending by $384 million, which represents a two per cent increase in 2019-2020. The Ontario Hospitals Association had requested a 3.4 per cent increase to help meet increasing needs. The province will also spend an additional $267 million in home care and community care. The Tories further promise to create 15,000 new long-term care beds and upgrade an additional 15,000 older long-term care beds.
CHANGES TO ALCOHOL REGULATIONS: The government plans to change a series of laws governing alcohol sales. The changes would permit municipalities to pass laws that allow drinking in some public areas like parks. They would also extend the hours a licensed establishment can serve booze, starting at 9 a.m., seven days a week. The province will also change rules to allow bars to advertise "happy hour" promotions.
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