On Thursday April 27th, 2017, Finance Minister Charles Sousa delivered his fifth budget under the Wynne Government. The budget is touted as Ontario’s first balanced budget since the global recession.

The speech, entitled “A Stronger, Healthier Ontario“, includes significant funding for health care as well as various other commitments that impact the social determinants of health (SDOH), including those announced earlier this week (e.g. Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot and expansion of child care).

OPHA is pleased to see the range of new investments affecting social determinants of health in areas such as youth employment, education, child welfare, social housing and rent controls, public transit and cycling infrastructure, anti-racism, Indigenous health, seniors and persons with disabilities.

In a OPHA’s pre-budget submission, we asked the government to ensure that funding for public health is not eroded and strategic investments are made that further a prevention agenda. Through working with various partners and sectors at the local level, the public health community is influencing the factors that promote individual and community health. Their efforts in areas such as: health equity, tobacco control, obesity, diabetes and injury prevention, healthy child development, oral health, infectious disease and health hazards, contribute to health care savings and community prosperity and well-being. 

OPHA will continue to urge governments to increase their investments in these and other areas that advance health promotion, prevention and protection to keep individuals and communities healthy.