Watchdog says Ontario spent $10.3 billion less than planned during last fiscal year
Ontario spent about $10 billion less in the last fiscal year than it had planned, the province's financial watchdog said Wednesday as the opposition criticized the government for not investing those funds in more pandemic supports.
The Financial Accountability Office said in a report that the government had boosted its spending plan by $22.1 billion during the 2020-21 fiscal year, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, the province actually spent $10.3 billion less than planned, including $1 billion less in health and a $3.4-billion end-of-year balance in a contingency fund. That money will go toward reducing Ontario's net debt - projected to be about $400 billion.
A spokeswoman for the minister of health said part of the lower-than-planned health spending was due to lower demand for some services due to the pandemic, and lower spending by the public health sector on monitoring, detecting, and containing COVID-19 due to improving trends.
The $10.3 billion also includes $1.1 billion less than planned on interest on debt.
The FAO said that for the last 10 years, actual spending was $3.8 billion lower than planned, on average, making this year's figure "significantly higher" than in the previous decade.
A spokesman for the president of the treasury board noted that overall spending increased by $21.3 billion compared to the previous year, due to pandemic measures, and that there was no money left over in a Health Fund or a Support for People and Jobs Fund.
"Over the past year, our government has made unprecedented and historic investments to protect the health-care system and support people and businesses across the province," Sebastian Skamski said in a statement.
"Premier (Doug) Ford has said time and again throughout this pandemic that our government will not spare a penny when it comes to the health and safety of the people of Ontario."
The financial watchdog is projecting that the 2020-21 budget deficit will be $29.3 billion, compared to the $38.5 billion the government projected in its last budget. That estimate is based, in part, on revenue expected to be $2.7 billion higher than forecast, since the outlook for Ontario's economy has improved since the budget, the report said.
The NDP reiterated a call for a public inquiry into Ontario's COVID-19 response.
"While our loved ones suffered in long-term care, businesses struggled through painfully long lockdowns, and the province could not keep up with things like contact tracing, the Ford government was squirrelling away billions of dollars that they refused to invest to help Ontarians," finance critic Catherine Fife said in a statement.
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said Ford "shortchanged" Ontarians.
"My heart breaks thinking of the impact this $10.3 billion could have had if it was put towards providing 10 days of paid sick leave, support for our loved ones in nursing homes, and a safe return to school last September," he wrote.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.