Premier Ford Calls on Federal Government to Put Jobs First

TORONTO — Today Premier Doug Ford, joined by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance; Attorney General Caroline Mulroney; Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board; Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; and Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, called on the federal government to put jobs first in its upcoming economic update.

“Prime Minister, on behalf of the people of Ontario, I am calling on you to do your part to make Ontario, and all of Canada, more open for business,” said Ford. The Premier called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to roll back federal tax increases on small business, answer Minister Fedeli’s request to allow businesses to fully expense capital assets in order to stay competitive with companies in the United States, and to not impose a carbon tax.

He also pointed to how Ontario’s economic update includes measures to make life more affordable while taking responsible measures to reduce the deficit.

“We promised to make life more affordable for families and consumers,” said Ford. “That’s why we’ve introduced one of the most generous tax credits for low-income workers in a generation.”

The Low-Income Individuals and Families Tax Credit, or LIFT, means that most people earning under $30,000 would not pay Ontario personal income tax, with graduated savings for those making just over that amount.

It’s part of how Ontario’s Government for the People is delivering $2.7 billion in tax relief to individuals, families and businesses.

The Premier also addressed the government’s efforts to find efficiencies and deliver savings to taxpayers — efforts that have already resulted in $3.2 billion in savings.

“We owe it to our kids and grandkids to protect public services and make sure those services are there for them down the road,” said Ford.