Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, released the 2024 Budget, saying “We will keep investing prudently to help create stronger communities and better opportunities for future generations.”Some highlights include:• Get more homes built by investing $1 billion in the new Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, and quadrupling the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund to a total of $825 million to help municipalities repair and expand critical infrastructure and reach their housing targets.• Connect about 600,000 people to primary healthcare with a total additional investment of $546 million over three years.ADVERTISEMENT• Launch a new $200-million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to invest in new and upgraded sport, recreation, and community facilities.• Seek to extend the temporary cuts to the gasoline tax rate by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel (diesel) tax rate by 5.3 cents per litre until December 31, 2024.• An additional $100-million investment in 2024-25 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to help workers and job seekers—including apprentices—get skills.Ontario’s construction industry is projecting a shortfall of over 100,000 skilled tradespeople over the next decade, says Skills Ontario, adding it is pleased to see the investment to address the shortfalls and crisis in housing and infrastructure.“The province has been a leader in supporting skilled trades professionals, which is why continued investment is so important,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO, Skills Ontario. “The additional $100 million funding for the Skills Development Fund will help support the economy and help keep our healthcare system—and our society—operating.” (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://www.ebmag.com/