Despite some criticism on education funding in the 2021 provincial budget, the Progressive Conservative MPP for Huron-Bruce says there will be strong benefits for education in the riding.
The provincial deficit is projected at $33.1 billion, down from over $38 billion last year, with $186 billion in spending, down from $190 billion in 2020.
In an interview with Country 104.9 News, Lisa Thompson points to $47 million of funding being allocated this year to help businesses hire more apprentices.
Thompson says the program will provide opportunity for high school students entering the workforce to find good paying jobs locally.
Meantime, teachers’ unions, including the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), are sounding the alarm to a $1.6 billion reduction in education funding.
A letter from the Ministry of Education to Directors of Education across the province points out last year’s boost in funding was temporary, to “support the safe reopening of schools.”
Thompson says the budget has special programming for the tourism sector, prominent in Huron and Bruce counties.
She tells us the province is providing $100 million in one-time payments of between $10 and $20 thousand for tourism and hospitality businesses who apply for the funding.