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Last week, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) revealed that the province spent $776 million (nearly 2% less than planned) in the first quarter of the year.
Here’s how that spending was broken down, and what it means for workers in Ontario.
The shortfall in spending falls into health services and the early learning and child care plans – two sets of programs that are very important to our members, Ontario’s residents and the economy.
Underspending on budgeted funds means that services that workers need, and are expecting, are not actually being developed or delivered.
First of all, it’s frustrating to see the Ontario government fall behind on the early learning and child care program.
The government held back on approved spending even after the PC’s were able to negotiate some serious carve outs that allow for a more privatized system and reduced quality.
Families need public, affordable child care now, and while the rest of the country moves forward, Ford is holding Ontario back.
Secondly, the Ontario government continues to starve the delivery of health services. Holding onto this funding creates frustration and scarcity. Then the conservatives turn around and privatize our public services to fill the gap.
You can see the effects everywhere. In Emergency Room closures and other hospital staff shortages. In difficulty accessing home care and community services like mental health care.
Ford can keep building beds, but he forgets to actually staff them.
Premier Ford has made it clear that he has his sights set on privatisation, and it’s reports like this one that show us where to watch for those attacks on public services.
Your union will continue in our advocacy on behalf of all members in Ontario, and will remain a strong opposition to Ford’s cuts.
Please keep reading for a summary of the report.
Summary
September 2022 FAO Report on Ontario Government 1st Quarter Spending compared to 2022 Budget plan
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The province spent $776 million (nearly 2%) less than planned in the first quarter of the 2022-23 fiscal year.
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Government spent $39.9 billion, plan was $40.7 billion.
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Government spent more than planned in Health Care ($319 million), justice ($35 million) and interest on debt ($176 million).
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The increased spending in health hides a $200 million decline in Health Services which funds the operation of hospitals, home care, community services (mental health, health centres and support) and other services.
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The spending increase was in capital costs ($203 million) and OHIP payments to physicians ($353 million).
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Government spent less than planned on ‘other programs’ (-$889 million), education (-$195 million), post secondary education (-$146 million) and children’s and social services (-$176 million).
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$109 million of the shortfall in education spending is attributed to missing the target on the Early Learning and Child Care plan.
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$91 million shortfall in capital grants for post secondary institutions.
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$584 million below plan in Electricity Price Mitigation Programs, which includes electricity subsidy programs such as the Ontario Electricity Rebate and the Comprehensive Electricity Plan.
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