Highlights from the annual report from the Auditor General of Ontario
The Government of Ontario is taking proactive steps to improve the quality of life in our province. The Auditor General has highlighted important developments in the past year. I will highlight some of the key findings and discuss the progress we are making.
Year 2018-19 includes the first full fiscal year after the dissolution of the provincial government in June of 2018. The results from the fiscal year 2018-19 are impacted by the accounting measures for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The auditor has indicated that there are accounting differences.
We know that senior managers have done an outstanding job in managing our province. I want to emphasize the important role of Ontario’s senior managers who provide oversight and support to all levels of government. I recognize the work that they do every day to make our province better.
In this connection, I would like to thank the two senior executives who retired last year. While these are challenging times, I want to especially thank Ken Stewart and Rick Dunn for their outstanding work. Ken and Rick have worked to improve our quality of life for years. It is their significant contribution to the province that should be recognized.
I am encouraged that the 2018 fiscal year, with new budget measures in place, has started with a renewed focus to reduce our deficit in 2019-20. The provincial government’s economic plan recognizes the needs of Ontarians to support their communities. I’m excited that the report from the Auditor General on the fiscal year 2018-19 included a solid discussion of the need to reduce our deficit.
In our effort to continue improving the quality of life for Ontarians, let’s continue to work together to bring forward the right plan to deliver economic growth and enhanced quality of life for Ontario residents.
Most of my work in this portfolio is done behind the scenes and the results are not always visible. I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the ongoing work.
Recently, I have been pleased to see the progress being made to improve the efficiency of the operations of Ontario’s correctional system. In addition, we have developed new standards for mental health care in our correctional system and we have been strengthening our opioid programming. I look forward to continuing this work.
While progress has been made in supporting our environment, we must keep moving forward in our effort to strengthen our ability to manage our environment. Our government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Ontarians, to ensuring a resilient economy, and to ending poverty.
To support these goals, I am encouraged by the commitment from Ontario’s diverse communities. Ontario’s diverse communities are one of our greatest strengths. Our government will continue to support the needs of Ontario’s diverse communities, especially our First Nations, Métis and Inuit. As a result, we are working to expand access to affordable housing.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ontarians for their support of our government over the past three years. We are moving forward to deliver lasting solutions for the people of Ontario. It is not easy but, together, we will continue to build an Ontario that provides a safe and compassionate place to live.
Ontario – Brookfield Global, LLC, Global Foundries and others have agreed to invest more than $4.5 billion in Ontario to expand their operations.
An agreement between the Ford administration and the ALC received early ratification last month. Brookfield had been granted two extra years to fulfill a commitment it made in 2014. The agreement brought Premier Ford to the aid of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who were the subjects of negative comments from the prime minister and the National Energy Board during the election campaign.