Ontario drivers could soon cut their insurance costs by opting for less coverage, under reforms proposed in the provincial budget.
Medical, rehab and attendant care coverage would still be mandatory, but all other benefits would become optional.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the reforms won’t necessarily lower auto insurance rates.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles says she’s concerned that this will force Ontarians who are looking for more affordable options to take on an additional risk. Stiles says at a time when Ontarians are struggling to access health care and housing, the budget fails to help them.
The budget contains an extension to a 5.7-cent per litre gas tax cut, $2 billion over three years for home and community care and an additional $965 million for hospitals.
Meantime, the dollars and cents attached to the 2024 Provincial Budget aren’t adding up for the Liberal finance critic.
Stephanie Bowman says the government has managed to both underfund the services people need.
Locally, St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens says she’s disappointed by the lack of Niagara-related spending.
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff counters that point, saying that a lot of larger funding announcements will trickle down and benefit the Niagara Region.
Stevens says for her, she feels a lot of the money on this year’s budget is being spent on programs that are failing.
Bethlenfalvy says he made a choice to increase the deficit this year, rather than cutting spending or raising taxes or fees for Ontarians. We will have more reaction from Niagara’s other local MPPs throughout the week regarding the 2024 Provincial Budget.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier & Matt Latour)
