NDP may support budget, but party leader says its up to Liberals

Ontario’s NDP leader says whether or not the province is thrown into an election is up to the governing Liberals.

Andrea Horwath continued her visit to the city with a tour of the Junot Avenue Superior North EMS headquarters on Friday. Horwath was in town for her party’s nomination meeting, which saw Current River coun. Andrew Foulds become the candidate for Thunder Bay – Superior North.

Following her tour, Horwath spoke to local media and talked about her recommendations for the budget.

Horwath spoke with premier Kathleen Wynne Thursday regarding her proposals for the budget.

Some of Horwath’s demands for the budget include a youth job program, five-day home care guarantee, closing corporate tax loopholes and ensuring auto insurance rates are affordable.

“We want Ontario’s budget to be a fair budget,” she said. “We’re looking forward to see whether or not they will take our suggestions. From my perspective, I’m not in a rush for an election but it’s up to the premier to determine whether or not they want to take our suggestions seriously.”

If the NDP leader doesn’t see what she calls “results for people” in the budget, then her party will not support it.

Horwath said it’s important to ensure the youth have opportunities to work in the North so that they don’t go elsewhere to find a job. She spoke about a targeted tax credits for companies that invest in training instead of across the board cuts.

“What we want to see is a partnering with companies that will provide a program for young people so they can learn and earn on a job and get some attachment to the workforce.”