Fairness for Ontario

It is important for governments to work together to deliver positive results for their citizens.

“In this post-recessionary world, we need to find a way to work together to ensure there is a sense of balance and a sense of fairness — a sense that we are in this together and that we’ll find a way forward together.”
— Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

Partnership

Recently, when governments collaborated, we dampened the impact of the global recession, sustained and created good jobs, and delivered quality services. The Ontario government is committed to working with the federal government to drive our economic recovery and provide the public services Ontarians expect.

Fairness

As we transition our economy and provide important services for Ontarians, we will also look to our federal partner for fair treatment. Ontarians should be able to count on their federal government to create the conditions that make Ontario, and Canada, stronger.

As we collaborate, Ontario is focused on ensuring fair federal funding and making sure all Canadians — including those in Ontario — are treated fairly by the federal government.

Ontario’s fairness campaign has delivered results

The fairness campaign has delivered real results for the people of Ontario. And our achievements are a solid foundation for renewing our partnership with the federal government. Here are some highlights:

• Ontario now receives its fair share under the Canada Social Transfer and Canada Health Transfer. This means more federal funding for our colleges, universities, social programs and health care system.
• Ontario will benefit from a new economic development agency — FedDev Ontario — with $1 billion in federal funding over five years.
• New federal funding will help Ontario build and upgrade key infrastructure like roads, public transit, universities, water systems and broadband service.
• New federal legislation, if passed, would result in better and fairer representation for Ontarians in the House of Commons.

More to do to deliver fairness for Ontario

The Ontario government wants to work with the federal government to ensure Ontario is treated fairly. The Ontario Legislature passed a resolution calling on the federal government to invest in the future success of Ontarians.

Here’s how the federal government can better support Ontarians:

• Ensure transfer payments that support services Ontarians rely on are protected, even as the federal deficit is addressed
• Make sure the health care needs of our residents are met through adequate funding
• Position Canada as a global environmental leader by supporting Ontario's clean economy transformation
• Invest in new Canadians who come to Ontario by living up to the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement
• Build workers’ skills and knowledge for today and tomorrow by strengthening investments in post-secondary education and training
• Ensure that all Canadians, including those living in Ontario, are treated fairly under the Employment Insurance (EI) program.

Looking to the future, Ontario is also thinking about ways to partner with the federal government to deliver results for all Canadians.