Hon Tracy MacCharles, MPP (Pickering—Scarborough East)

On April 28, Finance Minister Charles Sousa introduced the 2017 Ontario Budget:
A Stronger, Healthier Ontario.

I’m very pleased to share the highlights of this balanced budget with you:

  • OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare means free prescriptions for everyone 24 and under.
  • 100,000 more children in affordable, licensed child care.
  • New measures to make housing more affordable for both buyers and renters.
  • Free tuition for more than 21,000 college and university students.
  • Electricity bills would be cut by an average of 25 per cent.
  • More support for seniors so they can stay healthy, active and independent.

By balancing the budget, our government is able to make additional investments in health care and education that will positively impact the quality of life for the residents in our community. Combined with the Fair Hydro Plan, OSAP Enhancements beginning this September, and the Fair Housing Plan, life will become more affordable for everyone in my riding of Pickering-Scarborough East. Free prescription drugs for children and young adults aged 24 and under will ensure that all parents can give their kids a healthy start in life. Additional information can be found at:   www.ontario.ca/budget.

Also, the Ministry of Community and Social Services recently announced funding for improving and preserving the quality of dedicated supportive housing in the province through the Social Housing Improvement Plan. Due to this funding the Meta Centre in Scarborough will be receiving $37,000 to replace windows and screens throughout the home.

As always, my staff and I are here to support you by answering your questions and resolving issues related to provincial government services. Please do not hesitate to contact my Constituency Office.  You may stop by in person at 300 Kingston Road, Pickering, Unit 7, call us at 905-509-0336, or send me an email at tmaccharles.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.  If you would like to receive our quarterly e-newsletter please send your email to the above address with the subject line “e-newsletter”.  You may also subscribe online in the “News” section of my website: http://tracymaccharles.onmpp.ca/.