Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa has unveiled the 2013-2014 budget.

Here are some of the highlights:

  • $35 billion over three years for infrastructure spending, including a new $100 million fund for small and rural municipalities to repair roads and bridges.
  • The government will legislate an average 15% cut in auto insurance premiums, but won’t say over what period of time.
  • The threshold for paying the 1.95% employer health tax will be raised, which the budget says will mean 60,000 businesses will pay less, while the exemption would be eliminated for companies with a payroll over $5 million.
  • New high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes will be installed on some 400 series highways in the Toronto area – including Highway 401 in Toronto, Highway 417 in Ottawa – allowing drivers without passengers to pay to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
  • Income testing will start in August 2014 to force higher income seniors to pay a larger share of their prescription drug costs.
  • There is a 1% increase for people on welfare and disability support, who will also be allowed to keep the first $200 of earnings each month before their benefits are reduced.
  • A 1% annual increase in spending on home and community care on top of the 4% increase announced in last year’s budget.
  • There is $195 million over two years to help create 25,000 job opportunities for youth; $45 million over two years for a youth entrepreneurship fund.
  • $42 million a year to help adults with development disabilities and their families.
  • The deficit for 2013-14 is projected to be $11.7 billion, up from the $9.8 billion estimate for last year.
  • Total spending will be $127.6 billion this year, and is projected to grow by 1.8% a year over the next three years.
  • Economic growth is projected at 1.5% this year, 2.3% in 2014 and 2.4% in both 2015 and 2016.
  • Ontario’s net debt was projected to be $252.8 billion as of March 31, 2013.