Ford government promised it would deliver its budgets by the end of Ontario’s fiscal year, but an amendment quietly added onto its legislation to axe licence plate sticker fees will allow the government to miss the target without penalty, presenting the budget much closer to the provincial election.The Tories introduced a law in 2019, requiring the delivery of budgets by a March 31 deadline.
That target has been missed before and the government said it will be missing it again, because it wants more time to take get a clear picture of Ontario’s recovery following the March 1 reopening.
The new deadline for the budget will be April 30.Opposition members are accusing the PC’s of running out the clock on possible debate for their own benefit ahead of the June 2 election.
Ontario budget to be released on Nov. 5 after being delayed due to pandemic When the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act was first introduced, then-finance minister Vic Fedeli said Premier Ford was giving “an ironclad guarantee” to live up to the March 31 deadline.