Regional Chair responds to 2019 Provincial budget
Waterloo Region – Regional Chair Karen Redman has responded to the 2019 Provincial budget.
One major announcement involves changes to public health units. The province plans to cut public health units across Ontario from 35 units to 10 regional bodies by 2021.
“This is unfortunate. Waterloo Region has benefitted greatly from having Public Health fully integrated with other municipal functions,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “How will these regional health units be governed and funded? How will these units be grouped by geography and will residents still receive the same programs and services for their tax dollars? Local accountability is important.”
Today the province revealed budget details, including a number of areas that will directly impact residents in Waterloo Region, including:
- Child care tax credits
- Free dental care for low income seniors
- Streamlined ambulance dispatch
- Mental health and addictions supports
- Not proceeding with the planned increase in provincial gas tax funding for municipalities
“I am encouraged by the announcement of child care tax credits,” said Redman. “This will help reduce costs for some citizens and I look forward to hearing more about an increase in child care spaces in Waterloo Region.”
The budget also promised a major increase in GO Transit service in the GTA but there are no details about Waterloo Region service. “GO service is crucial to the success of Waterloo Region and I am hoping to see a detailed budget and schedule related to GO service soon,” said Redman.
The Region’s Finance staff will be analyzing the budget in detail over the coming days and expects to give a report to Regional Council on April 17.
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For more information, please contact:
Bethany Rowland, Corporate Communications, 519-897-1657