Stiles, NDP hold Toronto pre-budget consultations after Conservatives wouldn’t

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP leader Marit Stiles, along with MPPs Jill Andrew (Toronto—St. Paul’s), Jessica Bell (University—Rosedale), Chris Glover (Spadina—Fort York) and Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) heard from community organizations from across Toronto for the Opposition pre-budget consultation hearings.

“Budgets are about priorities, and for the past few years, we have seen this government’s priority shift away from the needs of everyday Ontarians,” said Stiles, addressing the deputants.

Ford’s Conservatives failed to schedule a pre-budget consultation in Toronto, excluding Canada’s largest city and organizations that support millions of Ontarians with housing, healthcare, community supports, and more. Stiles and the NDP hosted Opposition-led consultations to give Toronto-based organizations an opportunity to present their budget priorities for the province.

“We heard from three times as many organizations than we could accommodate for these consultations, that is how badly our communities want to be heard,” Stiles said. “But the Conservatives choose to skip Toronto in his budget process, leaving important voices out of the conversation. Today, we will hear from organizations providing community services, supporting families and seniors, helping newcomers, and organizations whose work is critical for Ontarians. A budget that leaves out these voices cannot be a budget that reflects what our province needs.”

QUICK HIGHLIGHTS

• Alliance for Healthier Communities, a community healthcare organization, highlighted the impact of low wages on their healthcare workers. Many healthcare professionals were forced to work at establishments like McDonald's while still serving community members, forcing them out of the system.
• Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada highlighted the fact that Ontario loses nine affordable rental homes for every home built. They recommend coop transformations, negotiating service agreements, and investing in a cooperative acquisition fund to stabilize affordable housing.