Premier Doug Ford’s Throne Speech has left some Canadian Politicians wanting.
The speech, which took place this morning at nine, was given by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and marked the start of a new legislative session. It focused heavily on what has been done, or been promised to be done, by the Ford Government to support the health-care system in the pandemic.
Criticism has come forward, saying the speech was short on the details and future vision. London West MPP Peggy Sattler says that “there wasn’t much there” in regards to the speech.
“There was no plan to hire nurses and PSW’s that that are desperately needed in our healthcare system. There was nothing about a new round of grants for small businesses to continue to struggle with the with the public health measures that are in place and dealing with the pandemic,” Sattler said when asked about what the speech was lacking.
“So it was a big disappointment, I think for Londoners and for people across the province.”
Another big focus of the speech was future spending, saying that the province’s future will be spent on “economic growth”, rather than spending cuts or tax hikes. Sattler criticized this notion as well, citing the $5.6 billion in pandemic spending that was withheld by the provincial government, saying “[Ford] just doesn’t want to spend the money.”
“He had that $5.6 billion available and and chose not to spend it and the throne speech today shows that he is he’s continuing to ignore the responsibility to invest in the in the programs and services that Ontarians need.”
When asked what the Ontario Government should be investing into, Sattler said education should be a priority. Hiring teachers, putting mental health support into place for students, and making sure students can regain some lost learning from the pandemic.
“Those are the kinds of investments that we need to get through this. And those are the kinds of investments that Ford seems to have no interest in making.”
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