Ford government to delay 2022 budget until just before June election
Posted February 23, 2022 12:25 pm.
Last Updated February 23, 2022 6:25 pm.
The Ford government has introduced a one-time amendment that would push back the deadline for the Ontario budget.
The spending plan was expected by the end of March, but an amendment introduced Tuesday would move that deadline back to April 30th.
Government house leader Paul Calandra tells Richard Southern the delay is necessary to ensure that the government has the most up-to-date economic forecast.
NEW – On delaying the budget to as late as April 30, government house later Paul Calandra says the extra time is needed to ensure all the economic forecasts are looked at. Does not answer my question as to if it’s related to the June 2 election. pic.twitter.com/dRE0C9fs72
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) February 23, 2022
In 2019 the Ford government passed legislation requiring all future governments to table the budget before the end of March. Failure to do so could see the premier and finance minister fined.
“He should have brought an early budget to start solving the problems that people are facing, instead he’s paying attention to his own political benefit,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on Wednesday.
The budget is expected to lay out much of the Progressive Conservative spending plans ahead of the June 2nd provincial election.
