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Charles Sousa, Ontario Finance Minister, speaks to members of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)


The Hon. Charles Sousa came to introduce this year's budget to members of the NEPMCC, having been invited by President and CEO Thomas Saras. He also handed out a book outlining the budget which was thicker than a novel by Tom Clancy. Sousa was introduced by NEPMCC Executive Secretary Maria Voutsinas.

Sousa started by explaining how important the ethnic press/media are, even to him, a person of Portugese background. This still doesn't explain why, as Tom Saras often explains, the ethnic media gets a pittance of government advertising while mainstream media gets the big share.
Hon. Charles Sousa - photo by Adu Raudkivi

The budget is based on five pillars, investing in youth, infrastructure in transportation, unlocking the value of provincial assets, creating an innovative and dynamic business environment and strengthening retirement security.

Tom Henheffer and Tom Saras - photo by Adu Raudkivi
Sousa did not mention how positively the new Ontario PC leader Tom Brown compared Quebec to Ontario. Ontario has a deficit of $8.5 billion while Quebec has none, Ontario has higher electric energy prices than Quebec (recently causing a major company to move to Quebec because of it).

During the question and answer session Estonian Life asked what Ontario's auto industry policy as a response to General Motors laying off 1,000 workers in Oshawa and moving production to Mexico especially since Ontario had bailed out GM in the recession. Sousa responded that he had had the same reaction but they are having discussions right now and they might be coming out with a solution.

Sousa would have made a presentable premier had he won. But Premier Kathleen Wynne won and has to clean up the mess that was left her.

Adu Raudkivi

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