NDP ready to put grade on upcoming provincial budget

The provincial NDP is ready to give a grade to the Ford government’s budget.

MPPs return to Queen’s Park on Monday with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy prepared to bring down a new budget on March 26th.

The NDP want it to address several key areas, including affordability, healthcare, education and jobs.

The party’s Finance Critic Jessica Bell says it is why they have decided to launch a budget report card to test the government’s priorities.

“We’re going to be grading Doug Ford’s budget, and we have released a pre-budget report card with five tests we are going to use to grade his budget to determine if this budget helps or hurts Ontarians,” says Bell.

“Our report card looks at whether the Ford government’s latest budget makes life more affordable, whether they’re investing in health care and education, and whether they actually stop wasting people’s hard-earned tax dollars,” says NDP leader Marit Stiles.

The NDP wants to see stronger rent control measures, measures that lead to more affordable and non-profit housing, and initiatives that address unemployment, especially among youth.

“We understand that we have a Trump tariff war and global economic uncertainty, but we do know that there are more practical steps the Conservative government can take to protect jobs and stabilize the economy,” says Bell.