The Prince Edward-Hastings MPP says the province’s 2017 budget is anything but balanced.
The province says it has released its first balanced budget in years, with investments into healthcare and education. MPP Todd Smith says in order to create the balanced budget, the province had to bring in cash by selling off shares of Hydro One, the Ontario Power Generation Headquarters, and a number of other assets.
The provincial budget also sets out a new drug benefit program to cover the cost of prescriptions for anyone under 25 years old, which Smith calls a distraction tactic.
The province has also announced a $6.4-billion investment into improving education over the next three years, which Smith says reaffirms that many schools will be shut down.
Smith says the budget does not have very much funding carved out for infrastructure projects in the North Hastings area.
Smith says fee increases are also a big part of the province’s 2017 budget.
Smith says the province will also look to sell-off another 30 per cent of Hydro One shares in the 2017 budget.