Ontario Liberals Make the Right Choices to Balance the Budget and Create Jobs

QUEEN'S PARK, March 29, 2012 /CNW/ - More experts agree the Ontario Liberals are making the right choices to balance the budget, grow the economy, and ensure strong job growth into the future:

IAN RUSSELL, PRESIDENT & CEO, INVESTMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
"IIAC supports Ontario measures to balance budget and reduce debt."

MATTHEW STEWART AND KSENIA BUSHMENEVA, ECONOMISTS, CONFERENCE BOARD OF CANADA
"The 2012 Ontario budget sets Ontario's public sector on a long-term path to frugality...The combination of expenditure and revenue measures places the government on a path to balance its books by 2017-18."

DBRS, CREDIT RATING AGENCY
"Overall, DBRS views the continuation of the fiscal recovery plan and the increasing emphasis on cost containment as an encouraging step in the right direction."

MICHAEL GREGORY, SENIOR ECONOMIST, BMO NESBITT BURNS
"It's a credible, medium-term plan to address the deficit."

DESJARDINS GROUP
"An austere budget that stays on course for a balanced budget in 2017-2018...The government has opted to tackle spending first, which should make the rating agencies happy."

JOHN WILLIAMS, QUINTE WEST MAYOR
"The fact they are committed to the sustainability of the [Eastern Ontario Development Fund] is great. It's really helped to retain local jobs."

SONYA GULATI, TD ECONOMIST, REGIONAL ECONOMIES, HOUSING AND GOVERNMENT FINANCES
"By reducing the deficit, you create growth and jobs. The budget is in line with the fiscal reality."

BARRY STEINBERG, CEO, CONSULTING ENGINEERS OF ONTARIO
"Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's decision to maintain infrastructure spending for now is a good one. Investing in infrastructure stimulates our economy and creates jobs." 

RUSSELL WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT, CANADA'S RESEARCH-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES (Rx&D)
"The government has signalled a serious commitment to improving Ontario's healthcare system and to a more sustainable healthcare future...Specifically in yesterday's budget, Rx&D welcomed the government's focus on home and community care for Ontarians."

LORNE SMALL, PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN FARMERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO
"The organization is satisfied with the government's message today that the made-in-Ontario Risk Management Program will be continued...Our membership asked the current Ontario leadership to work towards the same goals. This budget appears to steer the Province in the direction of accomplishing those goals."

DAN DARLING, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION
"Our primary request in pre-budget consultations with Minister Duncan was to retain the Risk Management Insurance Program as a permanent program for our farmers. We are glad that Minister Duncan and Minister McMeekin were able to deliver this request."

MARK WALES, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
"It's good to see that agriculture is getting this kind of support."

For further information:

Brian Clow
[e-mail]
416-325-9300