Lisa MacLeod Announces $200 Cheques for Ontarians: “Who Needs Hospitals When You Can Buy a New Air Fryer?

BARRHAVEN – As her political career winds down, MPP Lisa MacLeod commented on her government’s latest big-ticket idea: sending $200 cheques to every Ontarian, part of a $3.2 billion program that critics say is little more than a costly band-aid over cuts to health and education.  

“Think of it as a little thank-you for sticking with us,” MacLeod told reporters outside a Tim Hortons drive-through. “Sure, healthcare is under strain and class sizes are getting bigger, but $200 can buy a lot of good vibes—maybe even a new air fryer if you time it right.”  

The $3.2 billion cost of the cheque program, opponents argue, could have funded thousands of hospital beds or fully restored autism services, which MacLeod’s ministry gutted in a disastrous policy overhaul. But the MPP brushed aside the criticism: “Do people really want more hospital funding, or would they prefer a surprise chunk of cash? In this economy, I’d say the cash is a clear winner.”  

MacLeod also took the opportunity to highlight the new Barnsdale Road interchange, a project she touted as “a crucial step toward managing the heavy traffic we’ve created by building more suburban sprawl.” She praised the interchange for giving commuters more opportunities to drive to the Strandherd Costco, hinting that the road might soon get a new name.  

“We’re seriously considering renaming Strandherd Drive to Lisa MacLeod Boulevard,” she announced, grinning. “I mean, it’s only fitting, considering all I’ve done to make Barrhaven what it is today—a thriving hub of drive-thrus, parking lots, and slightly wider roads.”  

Lisa MacLeod Boulevard of the future


When pressed on whether the public would prefer investments in healthcare or education over one-time cheques, MacLeod dismissed the question as “pessimistic thinking.”  

“Listen, what’s going to brighten someone’s day more—hiring a few more nurses, or handing them $200 to buy something fun?” she asked. “Healthcare might save a life, but $200 can get you a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge or maybe even a new patio heater. That’s the kind of impact people can feel right now.”  

MacLeod also defended the government’s ongoing cuts to education, noting that the challenges facing schools were “building character.” “It’s not just about textbooks and teachers. It’s about teaching kids life lessons—like how to learn without resources or cope with overcrowded classrooms,” she said. “That’s just good preparation for adulthood.”  

In response to reporters’ questions about her understanding of complex public issues, MacLeod offered a moment of reflection. “You know, some say politics is about nuance—whether it’s balancing budgets or understanding the difference between Judaism and Zionism. Honestly, I get those mixed up sometimes, but my heart’s always in the right place.”

Wrapping up her remarks, MacLeod encouraged residents to spend their $200 wisely, adding, “And if the roads are a bit bumpy or the schools are a little crowded, just remember—we’ve got a brand-new highway interchange to make sure you can sit in traffic faster than ever on Lisa MacLeod Boulevard.”


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