Budget, booze, backroom shakeups
Victory lap
ABOVE THE FOLD
Mixed reaction is pouring in on the Ford government’s budget, which is big on tariff-fighting measures, boozy policy and red ink. Meanwhile, a couple chiefs of staff are leaving their posts. And another day, another Ford-connected operative goes under the ethics microscope.
Highs and lows: At $232.5-billion, Ontario’s big-spending budget comes packed with tariff-fighting tools, splashy spending, and some provincial branding pride.
There’s $5 billion for a “Protecting Ontario Account” to shield businesses from U.S. tariffs (though details are scant), new police choppers for border security, a billion-dollar bet on skilled trades and a $20-million fund for retraining and supporting laid-off workers.
A “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day” is set for the end of June, just ahead of Canada Day, and there are new grown-in-Ontario policies for weed and wine. Also: $180M for EV chargers, $56M to train new teachers, and a parting gift (or shot?) — former cabinet ministers can…