About 25 people from all over Ottawa came to the Bronson Centre Feb. 2, bringing their concerns about the upcoming provincial budget to the Ontario New Democratic Party's finance critic, Michael Prue.
Prue has been crisscrossing the province for the past week, holding “pre-budget conversations” to hear Ontarians' concerns before the Ontario Liberal government tables its budget in March.
Former Toronto Dominion Bank chief economist Don Drummond has been hired by the province to find ways to reduce Ontario’s $16 billion deficit for 2012. He is expected to suggest significant cuts to provincial spending when he delivers his report later in the month.
"Ordinary people have extraordinary ideas," said Prue. "Most of you are ordinary people with concerns and knowledge.”
“I am sure not all of this would have reached (provincial consultant) Drummond's ears," Prue said.
Several members of local advocacy groups attended, including representatives from the Ottawa chapter of Associations of Community Organizations for Reform Now Canada and from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Many voiced concerns about funding for education and healthcare, as well as possible cuts to programs like the Ontario Disability Support Program. Others, like Jane Maxwell, said they were hoping for more affordable housing.
Maxwell, a Centretown resident who lives on Florence Street, said she thought the meeting was a "fabulous opportunity" to speak out on issues that concerned her, especially since she previously had been a co-op housing resident. "To bring in the public, to listen to us as citizens of Ontario…everyone has lived experience and something to offer and contribute to the discussion," she said.