Schreiner announces priorities ahead of Fall Economic Statement

November 3, 2021

QUEEN'S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement ahead of tomorrow's Fall Economic Statement:

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s Fall Economic Statement:

“Ontario needs investments in a green and caring recovery, not Doug Ford’s highway schemes.

Instead of spending billions on Highway 413, which is a climate, fiscal and economic disaster, I’m calling on Ford to invest in healthcare, mental health services and affordable housing so people can live close to work.

We are in a climate emergency and need to crush climate pollution.

Pouring billions into a highway that would pump 17.4 million tonnes of climate pollution into the air by 2050 and destroy farmland and wetlands is reckless and irresponsible.

We need a green recovery, not a grey recovery that paves over the places we love.

We need to invest in the huge potential of the clean economy to create new careers and better jobs as we bounce back from COVID-19.

And we need to create more livable, affordable and healthier communities by investing in accessible mental health services and houses people can afford.

It’s time for Ford to put people before politics by saying no to highways that primarily benefit wealthy land speculators. Instead, let’s make Ontario a global leader in the fast-growing green economy.

-30-