Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

460
CHART 20.6 CHT Payments to Ontario under
Different Growth Scenarios
$ Millions
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2011–12 2013–14 2015–16 2017–18 2019–20 2021–22 2023–24
Source: Ontario Ministry of Finance.
Growth at 6%
Growth at GDP
Growth at 3%
Negotiations for the Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement (CETA)
The outcome of the negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union could have significant impact on
the cost of prescription drugs in Ontario. A key negotiating point, the extension of Canadian patent protections for pharmaceutical drugs
to European standards, could cost Ontario taxpayers up to $1.2 billion annually ($551 million for the Ontario government and
$672 million for the private sector), thus wiping out gains from recent drug reforms. The province should work with the federal
government to ensure that a CETA does not undermine Ontario’s interest in expanding the use of generic drugs.
Aside from the major transfers, 7 the federal government has made no commitment to renew
any other expiring transfer. These transfers support health, labour-market training and
infrastructure in addition to other vital public services that could otherwise be at risk.
7 Major transfers include Equalization, Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer.