Doug Ford’s Tories table record $244B Ontario budget amid hefty deficit
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivered a $244.2-billion budget projecting a $13.8-billion deficit, nearly double earlier forecasts. He noted that “Ontario does not operate in isolation” amid global economic and trade uncertainty. The province is facing rising debt and interest costs, even as the government moves ahead with measures including a temporary HST rebate on new homes and a $4-billion investment fund, while also forecasting housing starts that remain well below long-term targets. Opposition leaders criticized the plan as failing to address affordability pressures, arguing the budget “fails the test to meet Ontario’s priorities,” as the government defends its approach as necessary to “protect” the province during economic turbulence.
