NEWS RELEASE
April 23, 2015
Building Ontario Up
2015 Provincial Budget Positions Halton for Strong Economic Growth
Today, Finance Minister Charles Sousa released the 2015 Budget: Building Ontario Up – outlining
unprecedented investments in infrastructure to support jobs and future economic growth.
The government of Ontario is committed to finding responsible and innovative ways to grow the
economy while maintaining vital public services that Ontarians rely on. This includes unlocking
provincial assets to support the largest infrastructure investment in the province’s history.
The 2015 Budget builds on Ontario’s plan to make significant investments of more than $130 billion
in public infrastructure over the next decade. This includes increasing funds for Moving Ontario
Forward by $2.6 billion – for a total of $31.5 billion over 10 years. Close to $16 billion will be directed
towards transit projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Moving Ontario Forward enhances train service on all lines. Along the Lakeshore GO train service
corridor, this means electrified service every 15 minutes. The improvements will add faster, more
efficient GO train service for Halton residents.
The Moving Ontario Forward plan will also add 6 new trains to the Milton GO Transit corridor. In
addition, there will be an increase in the number of weekly trips from 90 to over 100 on the Milton
line. The province continues to work with Metrolinx to add new trains, buses, and parking in the
Milton area. Further enhancement of the Milton GO line service is limited because the rail-line is
owned by Canadian Pacific (CP). Metrolinx is in discussions with CP to negotiate an increase to GO
train service.
As part of The Big Move, the province will work with municipalities to plan, design, and implement
the Dundas Street Bus Rapid Transit. This system will link Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, and
Toronto. The Ontario Government is committed to transforming our province’s transportation
system and will continue to prioritize better transit service for commuters.
This budget represents the government’s commitment to building Ontario up. This includes the
allocation of $11 billion to hospital capital grants over the next 10 years. In Halton some of the
projects receiving funding are:
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The Halton Healthcare Services’ Milton District Hospital Redevelopment – a significant
addition to the existing hospital to accommodate our growing community;
The Joseph Brant Hospital Phase I Redevelopment – including construction of a new sevenstory tower and renovations.
These investments mean Halton residents will soon have access to three state-of-the-art hospitals.
Once the Milton District, Burlington’s Joseph Brant, and Oakville Hospitals are completed, the region
will become a hub for world-class healthcare.
Ontario’s greatest strength is its people. The 2015 Budget will lead to a stronger Ontario and Halton,
with more jobs, more opportunity, and a more secure future. Funding for the 10-year, $2.5 billion
Jobs and Prosperity Fund will be increased by $200 million. In addition, the province will continue to
build a highly skilled workforce by improving education and skills training. This includes an
investment of $250 million over two years in the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy – bringing the total
investment in youth employment programs to more than $565 million. Investing in our young people
today builds a stronger Ontario tomorrow.
The government has a proven track record of strong fiscal management. We will continue to build
Ontario up while keeping the province on target to balance the budget by 2017-18.
QUOTES
“This Budget delivers a plan for a brighter, stronger future for Halton and Ontario residents. This is
one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, and I’m pleased to see that Halton will be given
the support it needs to build new hospitals, improve public transit, and modernize our infrastructure.
The 2015 Budget will create new business opportunities, strengthen local economies, keep residents
healthy, and move the people of Halton forward.”
— Indira Naidoo-Harris, Halton MPP
Ontario’s 2015 Budget is more than a report on the province’s finances. It is about protecting,
preserving and enhancing the quality of life of people all across this province. Ontario is poised to
lead Canada in the modern economy through historic infrastructure and public transit investments
which will not only move goods to market faster and get people home from work safer, but make
Ontario a more competitive, more productive province. This budget outlines our plan to invest in
people’s skills and training, support a dynamic and competitive business climate, foster a secure
retirement and manage our program spending. Ontario is on track to balance its budget by 2017–18
and we will do so in a way that is both fair and responsible.”
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance
QUICK FACTS
 Most private-sector forecasters predict that Ontario’s economy will rank among the provincial
growth leaders in each of the next two years.
 The government provided more than $1.3 billion in student grants and loans in 2013‒14,
helping more than 380,000 students.
 The Employment Ontario network helped approximately one million Ontarians in 2013‒14,
including over 150,000 employers across Ontario.
 On June 1, 2014, the hourly minimum wage rose to $11. It will rise to $11.25 in October 2015.
LEARN MORE
Read the 2015 Ontario Budget
Read the Budget speech
Read highlights of the 2015 Ontario Budget