Ontario Finance Minister to watch federal budget announcement closely

Ontario’s Finance Minister will be paying close attention to what the federal budget has to offer.

The Carney government brings down its fiscal documents on Tuesday afternoon.

Peter Bethlenfalvy is hoping it does not include tax increases.

“We haven’t raised a tax. We’ve cut taxes and fees,” says Bethlenfalvy.

“We have to be competitive, and you can do both. You can be fiscally responsible and generate tax cuts. As I said, grow your economy by $350 billion to $1.2 trillion. You can do (that). It’s not either or.”

He also wants to see further commitments to nation-building projects.

That includes eliminating the bureaucracy that hinders development.

“This is our opportunity to, over the next decade or two, drive incredible economic prosperity.”

Bethlenfalvy also wants to see a trade deal with the United States come to fruition.

He admits it is not an easy thing to accomplish.

“In the meantime, though, keep supporting Canadian free trade. Do your part in buying Canadian. We have to reorient to provide contracts to our domestic producers, be it defence, be it shipbuilding, be it pipelines. Reorient that and lock arms to build what I believe will be the most competitive and prosperous economy in the G7.”