Apr 24, 2015
By Jane Brown
Unlike the federal budget, yesterday’s Ontario budget offered very little help for Zoomers.
Susan Eng of CARP – A New Vision of Aging – told Zoomer Media’s Libby Znaimer, the document is a stand pat budget. But End did note the government has extended a three year $750-million dollar program to boost home care.
“It would be shattering if they had cancelled it obviously, so this is what it costs, and they are just moving that window and saying, well yes, we’re keeping a three year commitment. Think of your cell phone plans, that’s basically what we’re dealing with here,” Eng explained.
“So it’s a four year commitment now?” Znaimer asked. “Yes, from when they last announced it,” confirmed Eng, “but that still targets the point that they are moving in the avenue of supporting home and community based care.”
Finance Minister Charles Sousa boasted that the only new tax is a penny-a-beer bottle as part of recently announced reforms to the provincial alcohol laws.
But interim Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Wilson begs to differ. He says there’s a new carbon tax which adds up to 3 cents a litre on gas, and he calls the new Ontario Pension plan a new payroll tax.
The focus of the budget was on a $130-billion, 10 year plan for infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public transit.
To learn about advertising opportunities with Zoomer Radio use the link below: