Photo: Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce Progressive MPP
The MPP for Huron-Bruce says there is a lot for rural Ontario in the province’ 2024 budget.
This year’s budget is the largest in the province’s history, at $214.5 billion, with a projected deficit of $9.8 billion.
The largest expense is healthcare — with $85 billion in funding — up from $81 billion last year.
Huron-Bruce Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson says a farming initiative is receiving some funding, for the Holland Marsh area, near Lake Simcoe.
“Ontario is investing over $24 million toward the innovative Lake Simcoe Phosphorous Reduction Strategy,” Thompson tells Country 104.9 News.
“That money will help support farmers implement technologies and food watching processes to reduce the amount of phosphorous in the water that flows into Lake Simcoe.”
To help the tourism industry in Huron and Bruce counties, Thompson says cost-cutting measures will be seen at the pumps.
“… Be freezing and extending that tax cut on gas and diesel until the end of the year,” Thompson tells us.
“We’re going to continue to reduce the price of gas by 5.7 cents per litre, and we’re reducing diesel fuel by 5.3 cents per litre.”
The province’s craft brewers and wine makers will also be getting relief in the 2024 budget, Thompson says.
“We’re also removing the 6.1 per cent tax off of Ontario wine and breweries,” she tells us.
“This is something that particular sector has been asking for, for years.”