Edelman Canada shares insights on the Ontario Budget Update, highlighting keys aspects of the Provincial Budget tabled at Queen’s Park. To learn more about Edelman Canada, please visit www.edelman.ca.

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ONTARIO BUDGET 2017:
THE ROAD TO ELECTION 2018
THE EDELMAN PERSPECTIVE
Bob Richardson
Executive Vice-President & National Practice Lead
416.849.1913 | bob.richardson@edelman.com
Damien O’Brien
Senior Consultant, Public Affairs
613.690.4408 | damien.obrien@edelman.com
Not since the global economic recession of 2008
has Ontario had a balanced provincial budget.
Today Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa
introduced a balanced budget—though critics
argue otherwise—thanks to solid economic growth
leading to increased provincial tax revenue.
With this long anticipated fiscal room, Ontario’s
Treasurer made highly anticipated investments in
health care with a $7-billion “booster shot” and
$5.5-billion for education, areas of strength for the
Ontario Liberals, as well as honouring previously
announced commitments around affordability
like cutting hydro rates by 25% and cooling an
overheated housing market in the GTHA. Still
there were surprises in Budget 2017, including free
prescription medications for youth, 24 and under.
With indications of lower tax rates coming from
the Trump Administration and neighboring US
jurisdictions, Minister Sousa held steady on Ontario
tax rates, neither raising them nor lowering them.
With the summer recess just weeks away, the three
parties at Queen’s Park have begun telegraphing
their paths to victory in the next election. The Patrick
Brown Conservatives, flying high in opinion polls
but criticized for being light on policy proposals,
have undertaken a robust engagement and outreach
strategy while nominating candidates and rebuilding
a party which hasn’t formed government since
2003. The Ontario NDP, themselves pilloried for a
thin platform in 2014, have returned to their populist
roots, announcing ideas like their own Provincial
pharmacare plan. Finally the Ontario Liberals,
sagging in popularity after 14 years in government,
have given the clearest indication yet through this
budget that they intend to return to the progressive
“activist centre” which has helped propel them to
victory in previous campaigns. Against long odds,
the Ontario Liberals will attempt what hasn’t been
done since the 19th Century, seek and win a fifth
consecutive mandate.
Quotes
Stakeholder Reaction
“A balanced budget is more than just the bottom
line number….this balanced budget is dedicated
to providing young people with free prescription
medications, providing free tuition and helping
businesses grow. We are delivering on our
commitment to ensure that everyone has equal
opportunities for success.”
- The Honourable Charles Sousa,
Ontario Finance Minister “Budget 2017 demonstrates that much of
Ontario’s fiscal outlook will depend on the
prosperity of our private sector”
- Richard Koroscil, Interim President & CEO,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
“Municipal government will be frustrated
that there is no effort to reduce the cost of
delivering municipal services”
- Lynn Dollin, AMO President
“The Wynne Liberals are cooking the books a
year before the next elections…lets be clear, this
is not a balanced budget.”
- Patrick Brown, Ontario PC Leader
“…this budget doesn’t even come close to
undoing the damage Kathleen Wynne and her
Liberals have done over the last 14 years.”
- Andrea Horwath, Ontario NDP Leader