Our government recently announced Ontario’s 2025 Budget: Building a Strong Ontario, focused on transforming the province and building the most competitive economy in the G7. As promised, we’re using every tool available to protect Ontario’s economy and keep life affordable.
Keeping Costs Down
Inflation, high interest rates and tariffs have all contributed to rising costs for families across Ontario. Our government is taking action to help through the 2025 Budget, which includes:
- Annual savings of up to $1,600 for transit riders through One Fare Program.
- A $200 cost-of-living payment per eligible adult and child.
- Elimination of licence plate fees and tolls on Highways 412, 418 and 407 East (from Pickering to Clarington).
- Permanent cuts to the Gasoline Tax, saving families $1.7 billion since 2022.
Whether it’s at the gas pump, on your commute, or in your day-to-day expenses, our government remains committed to putting money back in your pockets.
Protecting our Community
I’ve heard from many constituents concerned about rising crime and our government is taking strong action to keep our province safe.
Through the Preventing Auto Theft (PAT) Grant, we’re supporting police with prevention and public awareness efforts. We’re also proposing changes to allow police to seize tools used in car theft and launching a Major Auto Theft Prosecution Team in high-crime areas like Toronto, Brampton and Durham.
To tackle violent and repeat offenders on bail, we’re investing $8.3 million through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant to help police monitor and arrest high-risk individuals. We’re also streamlining judicial appointments and adding 10 new judges to reduce court backlogs.
Our government remains focused on protecting our neighbourhoods and ensuring families feel safe in the communities they call home.
Prioritizing Primary Care
Our government firmly believes that every Ontarian deserves access to a family doctor or primary care team and we’re taking action to make that a reality. That’s why we’ve introduced the Primary Care Act, a first-of-its-kind, nation-leading legislation that will connect every person in Ontario to primary care by 2029.
Supported by a historic investment of more than $1.8 billion, the Ontario government is delivering on its promise to connect every person in the province to a family doctor and primary care team. And investing another $300 million in new teaching clinics in partnership with Ontario’s world-class medical schools.
I’m especially proud of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH), located in my riding of Scarborough–Rouge Park. This is more than a medical school, it’s a game-changer for young people in our community who now have a pathway to pursue rewarding careers in health care, while helping deliver better care, closer to home.
We will continue to put Ontario first as that is our priority!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office at 8130 Sheppard Ave. East Unit 105, by email at vijay.thanigasalam@pc.ola.org, or give us a call at 416-283-8448.