Ontario Election Kit: Liberal Party Platform '07

by Apathy is Boring — September 14, 2007

Name: ONTARIO LIBERAL PARTY [OLP]
President: Gordon Phaneuf
Leader: Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier

Our Key Priorities
Success for Students:
We are committed to all levels of education. Student success in the early grades is laying the foundation for higher achievements, while excellence in postsecondary education is creating a new generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs that will give Ontario an edge. That's why we are pushing for student success with high-quality education, accessible childcare, and early learning.

Giving Students the Right Start
We are committed to giving pupils the right start. We’ve provided the resources and help kids need to learn to read, write and do math at a high level. We’re lowering class sizes and hiring teachers. And we have finally delivered much-needed peace and stability in our schools.

We are investing in skills for the future with $6.2 billion to post-secondary education – the largest postsecondary investment in over 40 years. We are improving education, as well as access to colleges and universities with more spaces in classes and more funding for student aid.

Better Health:
We are on the side of Ontario families who want the best health care. That is why we are committed to providing better care and doing what is necessary to sustain a reliable health care system for generations to come. We are reducing wait times for medical procedures and providing easier access to health care. We now have nurses and hospitals that are better equipped to care for patients. And we have banned two-tier health care.

Preventing Illness, Promoting Wellness
We are committed to helping Ontarians stay healthy. That is why we have worked to battle smoking and are fighting air pollution with clean energy sources. We have also hired 33 new full-time water inspectors, investigators and other compliance staff to ensure Ontarians have clean drinking water.

Strong People, Strong Economy:
We are focused on strengthening Ontario by building a stronger economy and making new investments that will increase opportunities in our communities.

Capitalizing Diversity
We are on the side of new Canadians who want to succeed. That is why we have fought on their behalf, negotiating the first ever Canada-Ontario immigration agreement, which quadruples federal spending on language training and settlement services over the next five years, from $819 per immigrant to $3,400 per immigrant.

Since 2003, we’ve committed $20 million in 35 bridge-training programs to help internationally trained professionals work in their field sooner. We have doubled the number of training and assessment positions for internationally trained medical graduates.

We are on the side of Ontario businesses, including small businesses and entrepreneurs who help Ontario prosper. That is why we are working to ensure a competitive business environment that will attract jobs and investment. We have also taken an aggressive approach to auto sector investment.

We are phasing out the province’s capital tax, which taxes investment instead of profit by introducing a five per cent tax rate cut in January, 2007 – a full two years earlier than originally planned.

Supporting Agriculture and Rural Ontario
We are on the side of families in rural Ontario. That is why we have helped Ontario farmers with $800 million over the past three years for farm income stabilization and support programs, including $125 million to help grain and oilseed farmers, horticulture farmers and livestock industry.

We have recognized the unique needs of rural schools by allocating $230 million for school repairs, library books and transition programs. And we are making significant investments for road and bridge repairs and upgrading, with an emphasis on rural and northern municipalities.

We are also investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellites that serve rural communities.

Bringing Prosperity to the North
We are on the side of families in the north who face unique challenges. That is why are have taken steps to improve health care, bring jobs and encourage major growth in industries specific to northern Ontario. We are also making significant investments in the forestry sector.

We understand that if our communities are safe, then our families will be healthy and our communities will be prosperous and vibrant. That is why we’re putting 1,000 more officers on the street and giving law enforcement officials the tools they need to do their job and ensure cases are dealt with effectively.

We are working to keep the lights on in Ontario. To do this, we are well on our way to meeting our target to produce 5 % of our electricity from renewable sources by 2007 and 10 % by 2010. We’ve also added 3,000 megawatts of supply and advanced projects that will provide more than 11,000 megawatts of new electricity - more than any other place in North America and enough to power over five million homes.

Contact info:
Tel: (416) 961-3800
Toll free: 1-800-268-7250
Fax: (416) 323-9425
Internet: http://www.ontarioliberal.com
Email:    info@ontarioliberal.com