Ford says his focus this session \u2014 and that of his spending plan \u2014 will be on protecting the economy, a continuation of the theme that helped him win a third straight majority government a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s all about protecting communities, protecting their jobs,\u201d Ford said last week. \u201cIt’s about the economy, making sure people can bring home a paycheque. It’s absolutely critical.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this tariff fight isn’t over,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WATCH | Students protest Ford’s OSAP cuts:![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772674332_default.jpg\")
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Students at Queen’s Park protest Ford’s OSAP cuts <\/p>\n
Hundreds of students gathered at Queen’s Park on Wednesday in protest of Doug Ford’s cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program. CBC’s Ali Chiasson has the details \u2014 and reaction. Unclear if Ontario budget will have new tariff relief measures<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not immediately clear if the spring budget will contain another round of tariff relief measures. In the 2025 budget, the province pledged $14 billion, most in the form of tax deferrals to provide cash flow to companies hard-hit by the tariffs.<\/p>\n
The tariffs have had an impact on the economy, with tens of thousands of layoffs in the auto, steel and aluminum sectors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ontario\u2019s former chief economist Brian Lewis said he expects the government will build in a large contingency fund to the budget in an effort to address the global uncertainty. In the 2025 budget, the government included a $2-billion contingency to provide flexibility, in addition to the tariff relief measures.<\/p>\n
“I think one of the key things I will be looking for in the budget next week is how much of a prudence cushion have they worked in,\u201d Lewis said, pointing to the continued tariffs and tense CUSMA renegotiations set for the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they would be well-served by being explicitly quite prudent in this budget,” Lewis.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774261457_485_default.jpg\")
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy speaks to reporters after delivering his party\u2019s fall economic statement, at Queen\u2019s Park, in Toronto, on Nov. 6, 2025. (Evan Mitsui\/CBC)Ontario projecting $8B deficit for coming year<\/p>\n
Contingency planning will hem the government in on its plan to balance the budget by 2027-2028, Lewis said. <\/p>\n
Last year, Ontario ran a deficit over $13.5 billion and is projected to be nearly $8 billion in the red this year, before the government says it will return to the black next year.<\/p>\n
Lewis doesn\u2019t see the province sticking to its path to balance given the global volatility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the most likely thing is (they\u2019ll need) a bit more time to get back to balance,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason they’ll offer is, \u2018we needed to invest more money in people and the economy in these troubled times.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Ontario\u2019s independent fiscal watchdog has also warned that the province sticking to its path to balance is unlikely<\/a>, projecting the Ford government will not balance the books during its third term. The government has been estimating lower levels of spending in key areas like health care and higher revenues than the Financial Accountability Office has in their reports.<\/p>\n Conservative strategist Sam Duncan, who used to work in Ford\u2019s office, said the trade war and economic uncertainty means challenges are mounting for the government. <\/p>\n And difficult choices lie ahead for the premier, who will be under increasing pressure to demonstrate that he has made life more affordable, Duncan said.<\/p>\n \u201cVoters are going to really start to look at governments and ask \u2018what have you done?\u2019\u201d Duncan said. \u201cBut as people’s paycheques and people’s jobs are [in trouble], expectations of the government are raised.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Liberal cabinet minister John Milloy said the government will need to use both the budget and the legislative session to demonstrate progress on cost-of-living issues. <\/p>\n After a year talking about U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s tariffs, and pitching long-term projects like developing the Ring of Fire and small modular nuclear reactors to protect the province\u2019s economy, the government is now busy trying to shine the spotlight on flashy, short-term wins, he said.<\/p>\n Milloy points to a string of announcements in recent weeks, like giving teachers $750 spending cards<\/a> for supplies, loosening rules around high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes<\/a>, and further liberalizing booze laws<\/a> as examples.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may be very cynical to say, but these kind of \u2018in your face small\u2019 measures may be politically important,\u201d said Milloy, who is currently the director of the Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College.<\/p>\n WATCH | What’s in this year’s budget?: What we know so far about Ontario\u2019s budget: tariffs, jobs, health care<\/p>\n Ontario’s finance minister said he\u2019ll table the provincial budget on March 26. CBC\u2019s Shawn Jeffords breaks down what we know so far about the province’s plans to tackle the U.S. tariffs and support health care. <\/p>\n \u201cThe cost of living is out of control. We still have huge issues in health care and housing, and we haven’t seen the success that Mr. Ford offered \u2026 where are the affordability policies that are coming forward?\u201d Milloy said.<\/p>\n Opposition parties at Queen\u2019s Park have accused the premier of making the flurry of announcements to distract from affordability issues and his bid to change Ontario\u2019s freedom of information system<\/a>. <\/p>\n Ford\u2019s office, his cabinet, their parliamentary assistants and all of their staff will be exempt from FOI rules under legislation the government says it will introduce this spring.<\/p>\n University of Ottawa political science professor Genevi\u00e8ve Tellier said the changes are likely to be the focus of intense criticism from the opposition during the session.<\/p>\n \u201cDoug Ford wants to shield himself from scrutiny and wants to protect some communication about policy from being published,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is worrisome. It\u2019s about accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n Legislature staff are preparing for protests on the grounds of Queen\u2019s Park ahead of the spring session. Last week, workers wrapped all eight statues<\/a> outside the building to protect them from vandalism during anticipated demonstrations.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774261457_990_default.jpg\")
Finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy looks on as Premier Doug Ford takes questions from reporters at Queen\u2019s Park, in Toronto, on Nov. 17, 2025. (Evan Mitsui\/CBC)Affordability issues will challenge Ford government, Milloy says<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774213749_296_default.jpg\")
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