CLAC Dismisses Ontario Budget as Electioneering

DATE: March 30, 2011

Toronto—CLAC was disappointed with the Ontario government’s 2011 budget viewing the 300 pages as more of an election platform than a budget that helps Ontarians trying to cope with the effects of the economic recovery.

CLAC attended the budget lock-up for stakeholders at Queen’s Park.

“The budget was skimpy on details,” says Trish Douma, CLAC’s southwestern Ontario director and health care coordinator. "It provides a three per cent annual increase to the community services sector, which includes long term care, but does not promise any more funding for hands-on care for residents in long term care homes. It’s clear this isn't a priority for this government.” (See wwwatimetocare.ca for CLAC’s position on long term care.)

The budget also increases hospital base funding by 1.5 per cent to meet service requirements. Actual hospital expenditures are projected to increase by 4.7 per cent as additional funding in specific service areas has been announced. How that shortfall will be made up remains to be seen as there are only a few ways for hospitals to increase their income, such as increasing parking fees and the cost of semi-private rooms.