Ontario Greens unveil costed election platform, with promise to build 2M new homes
The Ontario Greens became the first major political party to release a costed platform of election promises on Wednesday, with Leader Mike Schreiner emphasizing a theme of “restoring fairness” in the province.
“Let’s be clear, things have gotten much harder over the last seven years with Doug Ford as premier,” Schreiner told a room of Green candidates and supporters in Toronto. “It doesn’t have to be like this.”
Schreiner said the province’s housing crisis and the related increase in costs of living are the top issues during the snap election campaign.
The Greens have committed to building two million new homes in the next 10 years. The plan includes:
- Legalizing fourplexes and four-storey buildings as of right across Ontario, and sixplexes in cities with more than 500,000 people.
- Legalizing buildings of six to 11 stories along major transit routes and main streets.
- Eliminating development charges on new homes under 2,000 square feet built within existing urban boundaries.
- Scrapping the provincial land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers.
“We’re going to bring generational fairness back to the housing market, so a whole generation of young people know that they can find a home that they can afford. And (so) that seniors can downsize into a home they can afford in the community they know and love,” Schreiner said.
The Green platform includes tax cuts for individuals who earn less than $65,000 annually and households with collective incomes under $100,000 per year. The tax cuts would be paid for “by asking the wealthiest in our province to pay a bit more,” Schreiner said, without elaborating further.
The Greens are also promising to provide free heat pumps for households making less than $100,000 per year, similar to programs already in place in New Brunswick and PEI, as well as zero-interest loans for those with higher incomes to get their own.
Speaking on Metro Morning, Green Leader Mike Schreiner touted his plan to prioritize rural communities, while working to address Ontarian’s “real affordability concerns.”
Schreiner said a Green government would also create a protected “foodbelt.”
“We know that we have to protect the people and places that we love in the province of Ontario. We have to restore fairness for rural communities and farmers,” he said.
“At a time when we are seeing threats from south of the border, it is so important to secure our food security and protect our $50-billion food and farming economy.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie pledged Wednesday morning to end hallway health care, in part by paying nurses and personal support workers more and ensuring wage parity across the entire system.
Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford remains in Washington, D.C., in his capacity as Ontario premier, as he attempts to head off looming American tariffs, while NDP Leader Marit Stiles has no public events scheduled.
Ford has justified calling the snap election set for Feb. 27 by saying he needs an even bigger mandate to deal with four years of U.S. President Donald Trump.
More to come.
View original article here Source
Botanic Hearth 100% Pure Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth (6.7 fl oz) Infused With Biotin, Jojoba & castor Oil | Hair…
$13.73 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Rotnso Initial Necklace for Women, 14K Real Gold Plated Layered Letter Pendant Necklace Set Dainty Capital…
$18.39 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca eGift Card (Instant Email or Text Delivery)
$50.00 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca Gift Card Balance Reload
$25.00 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
CDE Forever Love Heart Pendant Necklaces for Women 925 Sterling Silver with Birthstone Zirconia, Birthday…
$69.99 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of…
$29.99 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca eGift Card (Instant Email or Text Delivery)
$40.00 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
KGC 2 Pack Winter Neck Warmer Gaiter,Soft Fleece Windproof Face Cover Mask Scarf Bandana for Men &…
$17.09 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Botanic Hearth Castor Oil | USDA Certified Organic |100% Pure & Hexane Free | Cold Pressed | for Eyelashes,…
$11.97 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)