Wednesday, November 06, 2019
While today’s fall economic statement indicated that the government is rethinking some of their planned cuts to public services, the government needs to do more to save public services, says AMAPCEO, the union representing 14,000 of Ontario’s professional employees.
“I’m pleased to see this government signal a course correction on planned cuts to public services—particularly in health, education, and social programs—but they should be making a U-turn to avert a crash,” AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer said. “Millions in still-planned cuts are only going to hurt Ontarians even further. For this government to be serious about changing its tune, they’d restore advocacy services for chronically underserved children and youth and lift the hiring freeze that’s overloading public servants.”
While the government argues that the province’s budget is “back on sound footing,” Bulmer cautions that difficulties may still be yet to come. Earlier this year, the Financial Accountability Office revealed that more than $6 billion in cuts would be required for this government to meet its fiscal targets.
“These cuts are unsustainable. There’s no more meat left on the bone.” Bulmer said. “A responsible thing to do would be to look at raising revenues—including new, progressive taxation tools.”
As for the “Smarter Government” initiative, also announced today, details are scarce. AMAPCEO is closely monitoring developments on this new initiative, ostensibly designed to centralize and improve front-line services, and the impact that it may have on members.