Government promises help for students, seniors, poor

From EndCanadianPoverty.ca

• Date: November 29th, 2007
• Source: CBC News
• Link to article: Government promises help for students, seniors, poor

"Students, seniors, low-income families and Ontario's First Nations were all singled out for special attention Thursday as the Liberal government kicked off the fall session of the legislature with its first speech from the throne since winning re-election last month.

New Lt.-Gov. David Onley read the speech on behalf of the government, which promised to boosteducation spending to $15.5 billion by 2011 — an increase of $3.1 billion a year — and to give college and university students a $300 grant each year for books and technology.

The Liberal speech also outlined a plan to establish government targets for reducing poverty, including a dental plan for low-income families.

"A new cabinet committee will begin work developing poverty indicators and targets and a focused strategy for making clear-cut progress on reducing child poverty," Onley said as he delivered the 13-page speech in a packed legislative chamber.

Two of those pages were devoted to aboriginal affairs, with the government vowing to forge a more positive relationship with Ontario's First Nations and to help create jobs for aboriginal youth."