Does the 2026 budget really 'protect' Ontario?

About this episode

The episode discusses Ontario's 2026 budget with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, exploring spending choices, taxation, and broader fiscal implications.

Ontario's 2026 budget is out. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy joins #onpoli to discuss the Ford government's spending choices, why it has not produced a balanced budget, and when it would ever raise taxes. Then, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath zoom out and take a broader look at the government's plans: the HST exemption for home purchases, the province's overall fiscal health, electricity subsidies, and how transportation changes might make it harder for northern Ontarians to access Toronto - and why the government is fine with that trade-off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Steve Paikin, John Michael McGrath

Guest: Peter Bethlenfalvy

Topics covered

• Ontario budget
• government spending
• taxation
• HST exemption
• fiscal health
• electricity subsidies
• transportation

Keywords

• Ontario
• budget
• Ford government
• finance
• northern Ontario

Mentioned in this episode

Products: HST exemption, electricity subsidies

Places: Ontario, Toronto

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