2018 Ontario Budget: A Plan for Care and Opportunity
March 28, 2018
On March 28, 2018, the Honourable Charles Sousa presented his seventh budget as Minister of Finance ahead of the upcoming election on June 7, 2018. This budget focuses on:
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Seniors
Currently, Ontario has a surplus of $600 million forecasted for 2017-18, but it’s anticipated there will be a deficit of $6.7 billion in 2018-19 followed by deficits of $6.6 billion and $6.5 billion in each of the following fiscal years.
New Programs and Initiatives
The Ontario government promised to invest in new programs and expand on the following initiatives:
1. Healthcare
The government will introduce a new Drug and Dental Program in summer of 2019. It will reimburse 80 percent, up to a maximum of $400 per single person, $600 per couple and $700 for a family of four, of eligible prescription drug and dental expenses each year for those without benefits through their employer or not covered by OHIP+ or other government programs.
2. Childcare
The budget allocated more spending for childcare by introducing free preschool childcare for children aged two-and-a-half until they’re eligible for kindergarten, which will begin in 2020.
3. Seniors
Ontario will introduce a Healthy Home Program starting in 2019-20, which will provide a benefit to offset the cost of home maintenance for eligible households led by seniors 75 and over. The budget also proposes providing seniors with more access to home and community healthcare services through a $650 million investment over three years.
Download our full 2018 Ontario budget for additional information.
DOWNLOAD REPORT