Budget clues

T-shirt politics

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The highlight of the spring session drops May 15 — that’s when Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY reveals a very tariff-focused budget that will show just how exactly the government plans to shore up the economy.

Premier DOUG FORD has already intimated there will be “billions” added to the books in order to prepare Ontario for the impact of DONALD TRUMP’s tariffs. The government has already announced about $11 billion in tax relief and support for businesses.

Bethlenfalvy is, as expected, keeping things close to the vest for now, telling reporters he’s going to continue supporting workers, but he’ll “say more” in the spring budget.

So I asked BRIAN LEWIS, the province’s former chief economist, now senior fellow and lecturer at U of T’s Munk School, what he’s expecting from the fiscal plan.

“I’ll be watching closely to see how the province plans to support people and the economy in the face of this escalating trade war. We’ve seen some useful early moves — but the big pic…