'Fiscal hawk with a heart': Calandra spills on Leg makeover

And Cabinet's $5.5M boost

ABOVE THE FOLD

Legislative Affairs Minister PAUL CALANDRA was in the hot seat over the billion-dollar Queen’s Park makeover and contract talks with teachers are moving like molasses — but first, Cabinet is getting a budget boost.

First in Observer — LET’S GET FISCAL — It’s that time of year again: expenditure estimates have dropped.

Digging into the details of operating and capital spending for Ministries, there’s an extra $5.5 million-plus for Cabinet Office this year. That includes more cash for ministerial and parliamentary assistant salaries, prompted by promotions.

By the numbers: There’s an extra $5,561,300 on the books for fiscal 2023-24, including another $47,841 for ministers’ salaries and $16,173 for PAs. Those figures have essentially doubled compared to estimates for 2022-23.

Have at it.

EXTREME MAKEOVER, LEG EDITION — Speaking of rookie cabinet positions, PAUL CALANDRA was in the hot seat at committee to talk about the big renovations at Queen’s Park — something he’s in c…