QUEENS PARK – “The budget affects everyone in Ontario. We want to hear your priorities, discuss your concerns, and understand what investments are most important to your community. Your opinions and ideas will help us develop a budget that reflects all of Ontario, and that supports greater fairness and opportunity for people across the province,” says Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance.
Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, and Yvan Baker, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance, were joined today by MPPs Cristina Martins and Han Dong in Toronto to kick off the annual pre-budget consultations. Consultations will take place over the coming weeks in Windsor, London, Thornhill, Etobicoke, Niagara region, Hamilton, Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, Brampton, Thunder Bay and Kitchener.
Ontario will also host pre-budget telephone town halls to reach more people across the province, and ideas can be sent by mail, email or fax (416-325-0969) by February 9, 2018.
In addition, people are invited to vote by January 26, 2018, for up to three ideas suggested by members of the public through Budget Talks, an innovative online consultation. The selected ideas will be announced as part of the 2018 Budget and be eligible for up to $5 million in funding.
Online Resources to comment are available at www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/consultations/prebud/
