Candidate clash, cold hard cash

Oppo steps into the ring

ABOVE THE FOLD

LET’S GET FISCAL — Ontario drops its mini-budget October 30, featuring vote-grabbing goodies that are, naturally, fuelling snap vote speculation. Here’s what we know so far:

The timing: Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY took to social media to tease the Fall Economic Statement, which we’ll get somewhat earlier than usual at the end of the month (it’s legally due out by mid-November).

What’s in it: Officially, Bethlenfalvy is keeping his cards close to the vest for now, but he’s intimated that the FES will lay out more details on the costing of the government’s booze expansion plan. Ditto gridlock and cost of living.

Speaking of which: Unofficially, the Star scooped a major nugget — $200 cheques for every man woman and child in the province. The exact amount of the rebate cheques is still being finalized, but the Star notes it could punch a $3.2-billion hole in the provincial treasury. Details.

The Grits accused DOUG FORD of trying to buy votes — then promptly teased th…