Back to balance, per se

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ABOVE THE FOLD

The housing fight is heating up.

Premier DOUG FORD is doubling down on his opposition to four-storey fourplexes provincewide, raising the spectre of Liberal BONNIE CROMBIE-created tall “towers” in suburbia. And Ottawa has joined the melee.

But first, more budget hints: On the eve of the fiscal plan’s tabling, a clue from Ford that Ontario may not be back in the black, but there will be a balanced approach to spending. That includes extra cash for municipalities, housing and infrastructure.

So, expect the deficit to persist amid economic uncertainty — something Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY intimated at his Empire Club teaser last week.

“It’s going to be a very balanced budget, per se,” Ford told reporters Friday while handing over another “BFF” giant cheque to Hamilton Mayor ANDREA HORWATH for hitting housing targets.

But, as Ford goes on a giant-BFF-cheque tour, Ottawa throws a wrench: “Ford's failure to meet federal affordable housing targets is jeopardizing $35…