As Ontario MPPs return to Queen’s Park here are 4 things to watch pre-election
Ontario’s politicians are set to return to Queen’s Park for the final legislative sitting before the Spring election, which could likely serve as a preview for their upcoming election campaigns.
Here are a few key issues to watch out for:
OTTAWA OCCUPATION
Even if the Ottawa occupation is resolved before the legislature returns, Premier Doug Ford could face tough questions about the province’s actions during the early days of the truck convoy demonstrations, which evolved into an illegal occupation.
The NDP and Ontario Liberals have repeatedly called into question the premier’s leadership, and his choice to go snowmobiling, as the city pleaded for help from multiple levels of government.
The Ford government, meanwhile, will table legislation that will make it illegal to prevent the flow of goods on international border crossings, block the 400-series highways and other critical infrastructure such as hospitals and airports.
- MORE: Ontario NDP and Liberals say criticism of Ford amid truck convoy protests 'not about politics'
Here too, the government could face criticism for not passing two pieces of legislation – including one tabled by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath – that would create safety zones around hospitals and prevent the harassment of public health-care workers.
AFFORDABILITY
The high cost of living in Ontario – from gasoline to groceries – will likely become a key pre-election issue as parties pitch their ideas for how to make life more affordable in this province.
Last November, Ford promised to follow through on a key election promise to cut the provincial portion of the gasoline tax by 5.7 cents per litre before the budget is tabled by his finance minister.
Cutting the tax, however, would leave municipalities with a multi-million dollar transit funding shortfall, as a significant portion of the gas tax is sent to municipalities.
This year, 107 municipalities received $375 million in total funding from the gas tax, $185 million of which went to the City of Toronto.
HOUSING
The Ford government is also expected to table new legislation to deal with the low supply and high cost of housing – which one real estate brokerage estimates will reach an aggregate cost of $1.2 million in 2022.
Earlier in February, the government received 55 recommendations from a housing task force to increase density in residential neighbourhoods, while limiting consultations and appeals, with a goal of building 1.5 million homes over the next decade.
BUDGET
The crescendo of the legislative session will come when Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tables the 2022-23 Ontario budget, which will also serve as the Progressive Conservative platform to the June election.
The province’s budget deficit now stands at $13.1 billion, a dramatic decrease from the $38.5 billion budget deficit the government ran at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget will likely reveal more financial details about key pre-election promises such as eliminating the fees for licence plate renewals, removing tolls from Durham-area highways and potential income tax breaks that the PC party pledged in 2018.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Whooping cough outbreak declared in Newfoundland
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.