Why are MPP’s receiving raises when Ontarians are facing economic challenges?

BY PAUL JUNOR

As Ontario’s parents continue to face increased food prices and grocery bills, the Ontario government has indicated that it will provide more funds to boost tutoring support for their kids. There was a surprising surplus of $2.1 billion, and the government has decided to earmark an extra $140 million for tutoring support. Government revenues increased to $185 billion due to a 20% increase in the coffers as recorded on March 31^st, 2022 the end of the fiscal year.

The planned increase raise of  $26,000 for Ontario MPP’S prompted by the increased revenues, which fall under the 2009 legislation will not go through. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance states, “With workers and families struggling with increased costs, now is not the time for politicians to be receiving raises.” If the legislation had gone through it would have been an increase of $26,565, which would jump the MPPs’ base salary from $116,550 to $142,125. It has been 13 years since they got their last increase.

Many healthcare activists have expressed concerns as to why the Ontario government has not decided to channel some of the surplus funds back into the cash-strapped public healthcare system. This is in light of public reports regarding the chronic shortage of nurses in the public system, which has led to the closures of many hospital emergencies.This has worsened with no sign of any upcoming improvement.

Catherine Fife, New Democrat MPP of Waterloo stated, “It’s devastating for Ontarians who can’t access the health care they needed.” Furthermore, Mike Schreiner, Green Party leader in a prepared statement notes, “The government is touting a $2.1 billion surplus when our health-care system is in crisis. Bill 124 caps (public sector) wages and some education workers make $30,000, a year is a slap in the face to people working hard to care for loved ones.”

It was reported that Minister Bethlenfalvy, in a news conference on Friday morning, stated that there will be there will be an increase from $225 million to more than $365 million that will be sent directly to parents as was announced when the budget was re-released in August. Although details have not been released about when and how much parents will receive they can start applying in October. He states, “This increased federal funding can be used by parents for things like additional tutoring supports or supplies and equipments that support learning, We will have more details shortly on when and how parents can expect to receive their direct payments.”

At the outset of the pandemic, the Ontario government provided direct funds to parents two times under the Support for Learners program in which parents received $200 per child or $250 per child with special needs, which amounted to around $868 million. It followed up in 2021 with $980 million in payments to help parents defray educational costs related to the transition of their children to virtual schooling.

Stephen Leece, Ontario Minister of Education remarked at Friday’s news conference,  “We look forward to getting the details out shortly. Parents need further support. We owe it to our parents.”

MPP Fife is concerned that the estimated $225 million that parents will receive is not enough, which translates to about $100 per child. He states, “They certainly are not making it very clear to parents.” He would like to see the funds go toward additional resources for students and schools, and not on trying to find tutors. He notes, “This government has been moving away from strengthening the public education system to really putting this responsibility back to the private sector and back to parents.”