2015 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review

BackgrounderNovember 26, 2015

Together Towards a Stronger Ontario and a Stronger Canada

2015 Budget Commitment

Ontario continues to take the lead on building constructive and collaborative intergovernmental partnerships to find forward-looking solutions to the challenges collectively faced by Ontarians and Canadians. /

Impact

With shared values and priorities, a new collaborative approach to federalism will allow Ontario and a true federal partner to work together to achieve better results for Ontarians, faster. Working with provincial, territorial and Aboriginal partners, this collaborative approach has enhanced quality of life, prosperity andcompetitiveness.

The challenges facing the federation in the 21st century underscore the need for a new period of collaboration among Canada’s governments.

Progress Report

Shared Priorities with the Federal Government

Ontario will work with the federal government on common goals to build on the Province’s investments and act quickly to deliver better results for Ontarians. Areas of shared priorities include:

  • Jobs and the Economy: Ontario is ready to work with a federal partner to help grow Ontario’s economy and create jobs. Areas of collaboration include recognizing Ontario’s interests in international trade agreements and improving the current Labour Market Development Agreement to better meet the needs of Canada’s unemployed workers.
  • Canadian Infrastructure Partnership: Investments in public infrastructure are key to strengthening Ontario’s economy. Ontario welcomes the federal government’s commitment to predictable and long-term funding for public infrastructure, which will complement and build on Ontario’s planned record investment.
  • Retirement Income Security: The Province is ready to work with a new federal partner to strengthen the retirement income system.
  • A National Fight against Climate Change: Ontario is already working closely with the federal government to put forward an ambitious and credible greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for Canada, and seek opportunities for collaboration at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris later this month.
  • Aboriginal Partners: Ontario is committed to working with Aboriginal communities in a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. The Province will work with the federal government as it acts on its promises to make measurable progress on Aboriginal education and clean drinking water, to move forward on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to take action on missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls by calling a national inquiry.
  • Health Care: Ontario looks forward to ongoing collaboration and cooperation on health issues to help support the Province’s investments necessary to improve and maintain health care services.
  • Refugees: Ontario is ready and willing to accept more refugees and help them settle across the province and looks forward to working with a committed federal partner to achieve these goals.

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