Ontario has eye on stimulus, health care funding in upcoming budget

TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said he’s going to keep his eye on health-care funding if there’s a federal election.

He said Canada’s provinces and territories will have to negotiate a new health-care arrangement with Ottawa over the next three years.

Whether there’s an election or not, McGuinty says the provinces will be looking for a federal government that is fully committed to funding health care fairly and adequately.

McGuinty, who is facing an election himself this fall, says he also hopes Ottawa won’t turn off the stimulus taps completely in today’s budget.

He said the economy has turned a corner, but it hasn’t recovered completely yet and needs continued investment in infrastructure.

The premier said it may be tough to get his message out if there’s a federal election, but he’ll stay focused on Ontario’s economy and public services.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned his political opponents that it would be economically dangerous to force an election in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.

But McGuinty doesn’t necessarily agree.

“Elections aren’t matters of convenience,” he said. “They are, by nature, disruptive, and there are millions (of people) around the world struggling to enjoy the disruptive, messy, miraculous process we call democracy. And if we have an election, so be it.”

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