Ontarians are invited to have their say in the 2018 provincial budget by voting for their three favourite ideas submitted through public consultation.

The Government of Ontario says more than 700 ideas were submitted in five focus areas through Budget Talks, an online consultation process to develop policies to be part of the province’s future.  The five focus areas include child care, seniors, small business, students and healthy living.

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According to the Province, as much as $5 million is available in Ontario’s 2018 budget to implement the most popular ideas.

“Budget Talks is an excellent opportunity for the public to submit ideas that will help build a brighter future for people across Ontario,” says Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance.

“Public engagement is fundamental to the development of good public policy. We now need your help to decide which ideas will be funded as part of the 2018 Budget.”

Ontarians can visit Ontario.ca/Budgettalks to vote for their three favourite ideas before 5 p.m., Jan. 26. Selected ideas will be announced as part of the upcoming 2018 Budget.

Last year, according to the Province, people submitted 404 ideas, wrote 923 comments and cast 19,229 votes as part of Budget Talks. Reducing and preventing food waste, improving digital services for libraries and accessing digitized health data were the three ideas that received the most public votes and were included in the 2017 Budget. To track the progress of these ideas, visit the Province’s project tracker.