Sarnia-Lambton's MPP says Ontario's record-breaking $187 billion budget is a product of non-partisan cooperation with Ottawa to battle the pandemic.
Bob Bailey told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Friday morning the spending plan wouldn't work without federal government support.
"This was non-partisan trying to get out of COVID-19, and we're just going to have to go forward," said Bailey. "We've got to support individuals, seniors, the small business community, and the larger businesses as well. We've got to have jobs for the younger people, and for middle-aged people as they are either transitioning out of a job or to a new career."
Bailey said there's funding for long-term care upgrades.
"Those long-term care beds are going to be updated here locally," he said. "Any long-term care homes that have any wards that are left, I don't know how many there are left in Sarnia-Lambton. We're fortunate that either in the public homes or private homes, many of them have been updated over the years. So, those are going to be updated as well."
Premier Ford said Thursday details about their announced increase in direct care hours for long-term care residents will be added to spending plans once further consultation with stakeholders is completed.
Bailey also said Sarnia-Lambton is 'very close' to landing a long-sought withdrawal management centre.
"It's in the works, that's all I can say. I know there's a lot of people waiting for that, and I am too. I had minister Tibollo down here twice, he's in charge of the addictions file, and he likes what Paula Reaume-Zimmer and Bluewater Health are doing."
Local officials have been lobbying for funding for a permanent facility for years and in recent weeks floated a plan to the province for a temporary facility to meet growing demand.
-With files from Sue Storr
