Candidate controversy

Plus: Budget leaks, Grit ads, the NDP's $13M strategy, staff moves, a final sitting

ABOVE THE FOLD

DRIP, DRIP, DRIP — The Ford government’s pre-election platform drops in the form of the budget today.

One major nugget has already leaked: A new tax break for folks earning up to $50,000 a year. It’s an expansion of the Low-Income Workers Tax credit, circa 2018, for which previous eligibility maxed out at $38,000. A PC source told us it will capture another 700,000 people and offer an average $300 tax break for a total of 1.1 million people.

The break comes amid mounting affordability woes, and was first scooped by the Star.

The timing: The House is expected to adjourn soon after Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY tables the pre-election fiscal map at around 4:05 p.m. this afternoon — effectively the starter pistol for the campaign.

Catch up on what to expect in today’s budget.

THE NDP’S $13M STRATEGY — In the hopes of vaulting into government for the first time in more than two decades, the Official Opposition NDP will fork out $13 million during the campaign.

“We are…