Ontario to invest more in Health Care, Home Care, Mental Health, Child Care

#Ottawa, #Canada, #KathleenWynne, #Elizabeth Dowdeswell

Ottawa, Mar 20 (Canadian-Media): Ontario plans to  take bold action to enhance health care, home care, mental health and child care and services that people across the province rely on and giving them every opportunity to care for their loved ones and get ahead to ease the mounting pressures families are facing, media reports said.

​Kathleen Wynne. Image credit: Facebook page

Ontario's economy remains strong, with the unemployment rate at its lowest in almost two decades. 

In February, the unemployment rate in Ontario was 5.5 percent, the lowest since 2000.

Yet between the rising cost of living and stable, long-term jobs becoming harder to find, many people are struggling to take care of themselves and their families. 

“I hear from people every day who put caring first — whether it’s at home, caring for their families, or at work, caring for patients, students or society’s most vulnerable people. The people of Ontario are our greatest strength, and our government doesn’t accept that anyone should be left to fend for themselves, particularly in this turbulent, changing economy. We’re taking bold steps to ensure the best care for our children, our seniors and our friends and family members. Our plan will relieve pressure on families by making it easier for people to care for themselves and for each other,” Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario was reported to state.

As the changing economy widens the gaps within our society, the government has a plan to build a fairer, better Ontario by supporting everyone in the province with the care and opportunity they need to get ahead.

The government's upcoming Budget will focus on doing more for people in health care, home care, mental health care and child care services and a number of other programs to support people to care for their loved ones and help them to succeed in a changing economy.

The government's priorities were outlined in the Speech from the Throne delivered today by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor. The speech opened the third Session of the province's 41st Parliament.

​Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Image credit: Facebook page

​The Throne Speech builds on measures the government brought forward during the first two sessions of the 41st Parliament as part of its plan for fairness, and providing care and opportunity in a time of rapid economic change.

Priorities included: increasing hospital operating budgets to Reduce wait times for health care; provision of adequate services to seniors choosing to stay at home, and to provide financial relief for families who are caring for aging love  ones; more investments in mental health and addictions services to enable access of  needed care to all people across the province; ensuring access to more affordable prescription drugs and dental care to people without a drug and dental benefits plan; Providing free tuition to more college and university students through the new OSAP; investing in more apprentices training, in workers and businesses, with focus on regions struggling to achieve economic growth; investing across Ontario in public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and transit systems.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)