And Budget Day is...

Plus: Staffing up at Finance and Health, NDP's nomination soul-searching, Ford MIA at debates, Moore's vacay blowback, Bisson's down but not out, big birthdays

ABOVE THE FOLD

CUE BUDGET DAY SPECULATION — At 12 p.m.: Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY could do like his predecessors and reveal the Budget release date during his luncheon address to the Empire Club of Canada today.

Bethlenfalvy was supposed to deliver the speech last week but came down with a case of Covid. The theme: “Ontario’s Economy Is Getting Stronger — Here’s How.” Invite.

WE CALLED IT: As previously scooped, the budget is now due out by the end of the month. Word on the street is April 28 is the big day — not least because budgets are typically released on Thursdays.

Another hint: The House is set to rise in time for campaign kick-off on May 4, leaving a short legislative window for the requisite budget debates.

So prepare for the possibility of midnight sittings, Ontario.

— ROSY NUMBERS: Perhaps a suitable preface for Bethlenfalvy’s big speech, budget watchdog PETER WELTMAN’s latest report shows Ontario is on track to balance the books by fiscal 2023-24 — but that could …