Premier Kathleen Wynne is pressing the reset button — or the panic button.In a speech from the throne Monday, Wynne outlined the Liberal government’s agenda leading up to the June 7 election, promising new spending on health care, home care, and child care.With an Ontario election 80 days away — and public opinion polls suggesting the 14-and-a-half-year-old administration may be on its last legs — Wynne is promising to expand the new OHIP+ pharmacare program “to include other parts of the population.”That means if the Liberals are re-elected, the free prescriptions now limited to those 24 years and under would be available to most Ontarians.Details will be announced in Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s budget, which will have a deficit as high as $8 billion, on March 28.“There will be major investments in home care, to provide more services for people aging at home and provide financial relief for families caring for aging loved ones,” said the speech from the throne read by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.“The next budget will also prioritize the growing need for mental health and addictions care in Ontario, expanding access to mental health care, and helping to ensure people can get the support they need in our schools and our communities,” the speech said.“The cost of child care, which has long been a stumbling block for growing families, will also be addressed in the budget,” it continued.“At the same time, government programs that are already making it easier for you to care for your loved ones, and help them to succeed, will be expanded. OHIP+, the pharmacare program that is providing free medications for children and youth, will be expanded to include other parts of the population.”The speech added that “more people without a drug or dental benefits plan will have access to more affordable prescription drugs and dental care.”That comes as the NDP ...
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