BACKGROUND
Ontarians are being squeezed like never before. The cost of everyday essentials—rent, groceries, gas, and utilities—has skyrocketed, while wages haven’t kept up. Families are making tough choices, young people are delaying milestones like buying a home, and seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to afford the basics.
In just three years, rent and grocery costs have surged by nearly 25%, while the cost of childcare, transit, and other essentials continues to rise. The Ontario government should be making life easier—but instead, it has failed to act, leaving working families and middle-class Ontarians to bear the burden.
LIBERAL PLAN
The Ontario Liberal Party has a clear plan to make life more affordable by:
1. Cutting Taxes for the Middle Class
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Lowering provincial income tax for middle-class families, saving the average family up to $1,150 per year.
2. Lowering Everyday Costs
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Expanding Rent Control to prevent landlords from hiking rents between tenants.
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Investing in affordable childcare so parents can get back to work without skyrocketing daycare costs.
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Eliminate sales tax (HST) on home heating and hydro bills, saving the average family $200/year
3. Doubling ODSP for People with Disabilities
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Doubling ODSP rates so recipients can afford rent, food, and other basic necessities.
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Indexing ODSP to inflation to ensure support keeps up with rising costs.
4. Helping Young Graduates Pay Off Student Debt
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Eliminating interest on OSAP loans so students don’t start their careers buried in debt.
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Delaying OSAP repayment until graduates earn at least $50,000 per year, giving them time to establish financial stability.
5. Building More Homes to Drive Down Costs
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Unlocking more housing supply to bring down rent and home prices.
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Making homeownership more accessible by reducing upfront costs for first-time buyers (read more).
6. Cancelling the Carbon Tax
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Doug Ford introduced a Carbon Tax after cancelling Ontario’s previous environmental plan.
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We will eliminate it and develop a climate strategy that doesn’t put the burden on consumers.
IMPACT: More for You
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Families will keep more of their income, with tax relief and lower costs.
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Renters will be protected from skyrocketing rent hikes, keeping more housing affordable.
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Disabled Ontarians will no longer be forced to live in poverty, with ODSP benefits that meet real living costs.
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Young graduates will have a fair start, without crushing student debt holding them back.
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Heating and hydro will be more affordable, putting more money back in people’s pockets.
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Homeownership will become more realistic, with lower costs and more supply
For too long, Ontario’s affordability crisis has put families, workers, and vulnerable Ontarians under financial strain. The Ontario Liberal Party has a plan to ease the pressure—because you deserve more for your money.
Fixing Affordability:
Putting More Money Back in Your Pocket
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