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Gas, Fuel Tax Being Cut In Ontario

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A potential drop in fuel prices this long weekend.

Beginning Friday, the province is lowering the gas tax by 5.7 cents and the fuel tax, which covers diesel, by 5.3 cents per litre.

Both rates will sit at nine cents per litre through until December.

The provincial government passed legislation in the spring to make these changes.

“I really want to ask and implore the federal government to do the same thing,” Premier Doug Ford stated when asked if this could be a long-term measure. “We’ve done ten cents so far, but if the feds (cut) another eleven cents that’s 21 cents, that would be huge savings. They can do it temporarily if they want to, just do it through the peak times of the summer or up to the end of the year, that’s how you put real money into people’s pockets, that’s how you keep the cost of groceries down and inflation down. That’s what we need to do.”

Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) are expected to be back at Queen’s Park in a few weeks.

“We’re going to come back on (Monday) August 8th, I think we’ll be sitting approximately for five weeks, and we’re going to get things moving forward. We will pass the budget that (Finance) Minister Peter Bethenfalvy put together and we’re going to move things forward as quickly as possible,” Ford commented.

The budget in April included a reported deficit of $19.9 Billion in 2022.

Looking ahead, the document also predicted a deficit of $10.8 billion in 2023-24, $6.1 billion in 2024-25, $5 billion in 2025-26, and only $700 million in 2026-2027, but only once a $1.5 billion reserve is removed.

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NDP Ask Province To Address Gas Prices

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The Province is being asked to take action against high gas prices here in northern Ontario.

NDP critic Michael Mantha says the price at the pump is going through the roof.

“Gas prices across the province are reaching a ten-year high,” says Mantha, “And in the north, we are still paying the highest price for gas in this province. What is the government doing for the people living in northern Ontario to end price gouging at the pumps?”

He goes on to say that one way to address the problem is through their private members’ bill.

“The Fairness in Petroleum Product Pricing Act, which would allow the Ontario Energy Board to regulate the retail and wholesale mark-up of petroleum products in Ontario. Families in Ontario literally cannot afford the price of more talk with no action.”

In response, PC House Leader Paul Calandra says the gas tax is increasing the cost of living in general, not just gas.

“The carbon tax will cost the people of the Province of Ontario…will cost Canadians…on everything whether they went shopping or to drop of their kids at soccer games. That would cost people massive amounts of money and we are seeing it every single day the cost of a carbon tax to the people of the Province of Ontario.”

Gas prices in Dryden are as high as 144.9 cent a litre with Kenora and Thunder Bay as high as 154.9 cents per litre, up 13 cents in the past few days.

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Pandemic Dominates Speech From The Throne

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The COVID-19 pandemic dominated the Speech from the Throne.

Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell read the speech this morning, which promised no new taxes.

“Unprecedented levels of spending have created new fiscal challenges,” read Dowdeswell.

“Your government remains steadfast in its commitment to an economic and a fiscal recovery that is fueled by economic growth and not painful tax hikes or spending cuts.”

The speech only promised one new piece of legislation aimed at improving care in the Long Term Care sector.

“This fall your government will also introduce legislation to protect residents through better accountability, enforcement, and transparency. The days when bad actors could get away with anything less than quality care for our most vulnerable will be over.”

The Speech from the Throne mainly focused on what the Ford government did and what it was doing to combat the pandemic, but there was little in the way of new programs the government was going to pursue leading up to the next election in June of 2022.

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Digital Licenses & Health Cards Coming To Ontario

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The Ontario Government is bringing drivers licenses and health cards online — right onto your phone.

The project was announced this week by Queen’s Park that drivers licenses and health cards will be made available online through an app by the end of the year. Users can then download their ID directly onto their chosen device (phone, tablet, desktop…etc) where they can then control where it gets used.

Since the pandemic has taken hold of surfaces, it’s been made clear that going contactless is here to stay for a while more. Having the identification available to individuals on their devices will make it easier and more secure for when applying to various government programs, healthcare needs and even use it when it comes to buying age specific products (alcohol, cannabis…etc.)

A full explanation on how the digital ID works and where you can use it can be found through Ontario’s website.

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Premier Takes Shot At Mamakwa

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Premier Doug Ford is taking a shot at the MPP for the Kiiwetinoong Riding.

Ford was responding to questions from Sol Mamakwa about the need for more COVID-19 vaccines for Indigenous peoples and demanding equal access.

“The member flew in to get his vaccine, so thank you for doing that and kind of jumping the line. I talked to a few Chiefs who were pretty upset about that…flying into a community that he doesn’t belong but that’s neither here nor there.”

Liberal MPP John Fraser took the Premier to task for his comments later on.

“I have to say that the comment the Premier made to the member from Kiiwetinoong this morning was beneath the office.”

Ford pointed out that the province has vaccinated more than 15-thousand people with first doses in 31 fly-in First Nations.

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Legislative Plan For New Session At Queen’s Park

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MPP’s return to work today. (Monday, October 28th)

Queen’s Park resumes after a five month break.

Teacher contracts, retail alcohol sales and Ontario’s financial picture are among the issues likely to dominate the headlines for the next few weeks.

They will also be greeted with demonstrations from labour and community groups who want the Ford government to reconsider plans to cut public services.

Students who are becoming teachers are also rallying in opposition to a new Math Proficiency test they must complete to obtain their teaching certificate.

Government House Leader Paul Calandra says the key priority issues will be leaving more money in people’s pockets and reducing red tape.

He stresses the focus will be on jobs, economic growth and smart initiatives that will allow government to operate more efficiently while delivering on their priorities and commitments to the people of Ontario.

Calandra outlines the legislative agenda for the new session:

-Restoring trust and accountability in government by continuing to find efficiencies and respect taxpayers dollars.
-Leaving more money in people’s pockets.
-Reducing red tape and regulatory burdens and making Ontario open for business so our small, medium and large job creators can continue to invest in communities and people.
-Connecting people and places by investing in infrastructure, transit and broadband networks.
-Building safer communities, combating violence and criminal activity related to drugs, guns and gang activity.
-Ending hallway health care, putting patients first and ensuring sustainable services for future generations.
-Adopting smart initiatives what will reduce costs, eliminate wasteful spending, and ensure government services are delivered thoughtfully and efficiently, while protecting what matters most.