MPP Stephanie Bowman Responds to Financial Accountability Office’s 2023-2024 Quarter 1 Report
TORONTO, ON – Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West has released the following statement in response to the Financial Accountability Office’s (FAO) analysis of Q1 government spending:
“At a time when many in Ontario are experiencing financial hardship due to the rising costs of living,
Ontarians will find cold comfort in this government’s efforts to give Greenbelt land deals to
insiders and friends to the tune of $8.3 billion in windfall profits, while they spend $2.6 billion less than
they planned to deliver services to the people of Ontario.
“This government only spent $4 million out of $210 million budgeted on housing via the National
Housing Strategy. While they like to brag about getting housing built, they have spent only 2 percent of
what they have promised Ontarians.
“Underspending by $326 million on long-term care – when we have scathing reports by the
Ombudsperson about the state of our Long-Term Care homes and this government’s “collapsing”
oversight during the pandemic – harms our seniors.
“55% of teachers report spending more than $250/year of their own money on school supplies. School
boards across the province, like Waterloo Region District School Board and Simcoe County District
School Board, are writing letters to this government pleading for more funding so that they
can provide basic school supplies to their students. They are not being heard.
“This government has cut $241 million from Community and Priority Service programs, which support
those in assisted living, community mental health, and addiction services. Cutting funding to community
groups that are working tirelessly to deliver services to those in need is a failure in leadership.
“Withholding crucial funding for areas such as: healthcare, education, housing, long-term care, $10-aday childcare, post-secondary education, student financial assistance, and more is affecting the quality
of life for many in our province. Life is not better after 5 years of Premier Ford, unless you’re a close
friend of this government.”
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