Omnibus season
Plus: Partisan accusations fly at committee, a late April budget, fundraising heats up, Hillier called out again
ABOVE THE FOLD
Sources have long told Queen’s Park Observer that the budget will be delayed until late April. The PCs have now moved to do that.
Tucked away in the latest red-tape reduction package from Associate Small Business Minister NINA TANGRI (more on that below) is a clause that would push the Ford government’s self-imposed deadline for tabling the budget from March 31 to April 30.
Why it matters: While April budgets aren’t exactly rare, the PCs put a law on the books in the name of financial transparency and accountability which requires the finance minister of the day to publicly release the budget by fiscal year-end — in Ontario’s case, that’s March 31. Otherwise, Premier DOUG FORD and Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY would have to pay a fine and explain the rationale behind the delay.
But in this case, they decided to just amend the law (and keep the cash).
Context: It’s happened before. Last fiscal year, the PCs delayed the budget thanks to Covid uncertainty, which forced Ford and then-Minister ROD PHILLIPS to fork over a 10-per-cent chunk of their ministerial salary top-up (roughly $10,000 and $5,000, respectively).
The rationale: Politically speaking, the later the budget, the better positioned the PCs will be to run on all of its vote-grabbing goodies, allowing them to change the channel from Covid during election season. And while the situation is touch-and-go, tabling it in late April may put some distance between the Omicron wave and spring campaign.
A wrinkle to iron out: Transfer payments the province provides to social services agencies, municipalities, and others will have to be sorted out. They’re typically agreed on by the end of the fiscal year — and no budget means much uncertainty around funding for critical services.
On the bureaucratic side, generally, there’s not much grumbling about the possibility of non-compliance with earlier deadlines.
Another hint: Budgets tend to be released on Thursdays, and April 28 happens to be the last one for that month. Ontario’s 42nd Parliament could be dissolved soon after that — though the House is scheduled to rise on June 2 — Election Day.
So long, licence plate sticker fees. As teased heavily, Premier DOUG FORD confirmed a $120 refund — $60 up north — for motorists who will no longer have to pay a fee to renew their licence plate stickers. Folks who paid up since March 2020 will get a refund check in the last week of April — days before the official start of the campaign. (Ontario allowed motorists to use expired stickers amid Covid.)
The vote-grabbing goody is expected to punch about a $1-billion hole in the provincial treasury, according to the budget watchdog.
Ford said it’s “about affordability” and “putting that back into your pocket,” while slamming the federal carbon levy. Green Leader MIKE SCHREINER called it a “billion-dollar election boondoggle” that leaves less cash for health care and education. (Score one for folks with “boondoggle” on their pre-election bingo card.)
The PCs also took the opportunity to remind voters about Liberal Leader STEVEN DEL DUCA’s political baggage. “The people of Ontario remember the days of KATHLEEN WYNNE and her right-hand man Steven Del Duca,” reads a statement from the party. “Del Duca was Transportation Minister when driver license fees and stickers skyrocketed, costing drivers in Ontario hundreds of dollars of their hard-earned money. Under the leadership of Doug Ford, your PC Government is putting money back into the pockets of Ontarians.”
OMNIBUS SEASON — Here’s what else you need to know about Tangri’s 11-schedule Bill 84, the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act:
— There’s a shakeup for now-insolvent Laurentian University’s board of governors, reducing the size from 25 to 16 members.
— It establishes “a centre of realty excellence” within the Ministry of Infrastructure with an eye to carrying out certain functions related to the use and disposal of government property.
— It empowers police to enforce specific inspection powers under the Liquor Licence and Control Act.
— It allows the Children’s Minister of the day to designate entities specifically as prevention-focused Indigenous service providers and to set out their functions.
— It expands the appeals process under the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act.
ALSO ON TUESDAY — HILLIER CENSURED, NEW TV RULES: Independent MPP RANDY HILLIER is being called out again by his fellow MPPs.
Hillier — who’s already been formally censured by the Legislature for a string of disreputable incidents — won’t be recognized in the House until he apologizes for “racist and discriminatory statements about a federal cabinet minister and for publishing social media posts insinuating a call to violence.”
The motion from Government House Leader PAUL CALANDRA was supported by all parties and demands that the PCs’ former benchmate apologize in writing to Transport Minister OMAR ALGHABRA and to “desist from further conduct that is inappropriate and unbecoming of a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.”
Hillier hasn’t been spotted in the House ever since Speaker TED ARNOTT enacted proof-of-vaccination-or-negative-test entry rules.
— As we first reported yesterday, CALANDRA’s motion shaking up the rules for broadcast proceedings in the Legislature also passed. Catch up on the new guideline.
SWITCH-UP AT COMMITTEE — NDP MPP MARIT STILES is demanding an explanation over a last-minute change in the government’s appointee roster.
WENDY NOBLE, a Conservative organizer and former Hill staffer, was scheduled to speak to the Government Agencies committee about her incoming role on the Ontario Parole Board. But shortly before Tuesday’s meeting, MPPs on the committee got notice that the Ministry of the Attorney General was “no longer moving forward” with her appointment.
Via a motion, Stiles tried — unsuccessfully — to get the government to explain what happened, raising concerns about partisan appointments. But the PCs used their majority to shut it down.
HAPPENING TODAY
— 7:30 a.m.: A $1,000-a-head PC Party breakfast fundraiser in Toronto. Invite.
— 9 a.m.: The Financial Accountability Office will release a report on Ontario’s labour market performance in 2021. Teaser from the FAO: It “highlights major challenges facing the province’s workers, and includes a brief overview of the impact of the Omicron variant on employment in January 2022.”
— 1:30 p.m.: NDP MPP FAISAL HASSAN will introduce the Our London Family Act, co-sponsored by his London-area caucus mates. Teaser from the party: “A bill created by ANDREA HORWATH in collaboration with the National Council of Canadian Muslims that would take concrete actions to combat Islamophobic hate in Ontario.”
ON THE ORDER PAPER
THE HOUSE IS IN SESSION — First up for debate is Tangri’s red-tape reduction Bill 84, which goes for second reading before and after Question Period.
Later on, NDP MPP GUY BOURGOUIN will move second reading of his private member’s Bill 59, aimed at beefing up standards for winter road maintenance up north.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT — The Public Accounts committee meets behind closed doors to draft their report on the Auditor General’s 2020 audit on the Electrical Safety Authority.
AROUND THE PRECINCT — Police blockades around Queen’s Park — erected thanks to so-called freedom convoy protesters — are being relaxed. But they’re still on alert for anti-lockdown protests on the South Lawn.
Per Legislative security, “the situation remains fluid” and Toronto Police will “continue to have a significant response in the area of the Precinct, including standby vehicles at nearby intersections.”
🎧 In case you missed it, things got spicy with the On The Ledge podcast crew as we teed up the pre-election session. Check it out here — and catch us every Friday.
MAKING HEADLINES
— CONVOY FALLOUT: Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY teased the possibility of supports for businesses impacted by the so-called freedom convoy blockades, saying he’ll have more to say about that soon. Opposition critics have been urging the PCs to provide financial support for impacted businesses.
— EMERGENCY IN THE COURT: “Ford could face a court challenge over promised legislation that would prevent demonstrators from blocking access to critical infrastructure, such as highways, border crossings and hospitals, according to a civil liberties advocate.” More from CTV News: “The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which is currently challenging the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act, said the Ford government’s upcoming legislation would be ‘too broad’ and a ‘knee jerk’ reaction to the occupations of the Ambassador Bridge and downtown Ottawa.”
— CASH INJECTION FOR HOSPITALS: The Ontario Hospital Association marked the first day of the session by sharing their pre-budget submission, which calls on the Ford government to make permanent the pandemic-era funding and policies for surge capacity, including extra beds. The OHA also wants another 10,000 registered nurses and 3,500 registered practical nurses hired over the next five years.
— NO GO: “Metrolinx saw ridership drop last month to a fraction of its normal numbers,” the Sun reports. “Ridership levels during the Omicron wave last month were 10 to 20% of what they were pre-pandemic, and similar to what they were during the lockdown of 2020.”
— LOCAL PUSHBACK: “The province wants to ‘double the density’ at two York Region transit-oriented stations. That has locals fuming.” More from the Star: “The extra density comes at the expense of space for employment and community amenities, leading area municipalities to push back on the plan.”
— EVEN MORE PUSHBACK: “DOUG FORD’s government blocked a modular housing project in Willowdale. The city says it’s forging ahead despite the pushback.”
SPOTTED:
NDP MPP DOLY BEGUM’s constituency office in Scarborough—Southwest temporarily closed after large rocks were thrown, breaking the windows…Undelivered postcards (thanks to Covid) urging the Ford government to repeal wage-capping Bill 124, from the SEIU Healthcare and CUPE unions, which also rallied at Queen’s Park…The return of in-person media scrums:
FUNDRAISING WATCH — PC Party supporter services is back at it making fundraising phone calls…The NDP held a $300-a-head Zoom event supporting Brampton Centre MPP SARA SINGH…In the heart of Ford Nation, Etobicoke, PCs rubbed elbows with folks who coughed up $1,000.
QUESTION PERIOD
A fiery affair for the first debate of the session as all parties gear up for the spring campaign. Premier DOUG FORD was MIA after his morning announcement in Richmond Hill (from which reporters were able to make it back to the Leg in time for Question Period).
Before the debate, MPPs paid tribute to late Barrie politician AILEEN CARROLL.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Will Ford apologize for “letting hate fester for three and a half weeks” while convoy protesters occupied the streets of Ottawa and blockaded the critical Canada-U.S.-link in Windsor? — “Broken” promises to keep the price of gas below $1.50/litre and reduce electricity bills by 12 per cent — Skyrocketing rent prices — Does this government even have a plan to get a $10-a-day child care deal with the feds? — A “billion-dollar gift” for Highway 407 ETR operators while plowing ahead with controversial new highways from PC-connected developers — Giving up $210M in pandemic supports to ineligible businesses — Schools forced to raise extra funds for HEPA filters — 911 system overload due to staff shortages.
LOBBYING DISPATCH
Here are the new, renewed and amended registrations over the past 24 hours:
— Bonnie Hiltz, Sussex Strategy Group: Capstone Infrastructure Corporation
— Michael Keegan, Michael Keegan & Associates: Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance
In-house organizations: Rayonier A.M. Canada Industries — EACOM Timber Corporation.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 99 days until the Election…70 days until the official start of the 2022 campaign…66 days until the budget is (legally) due out.