{"id":234194,"date":"2019-10-11T04:01:15","date_gmt":"2019-10-11T08:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=234194"},"modified":"2019-10-11T04:01:15","modified_gmt":"2019-10-11T08:01:15","slug":"putting-out-a-fire-you-set-critics-wary-of-tories-reduced-deficit-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2019\/10\/11\/putting-out-a-fire-you-set-critics-wary-of-tories-reduced-deficit-projection\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Putting out a fire you set:’ critics wary of Tories’ reduced deficit projection"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Phillips announced in a speech to the Canadian Club of Toronto that the government’s fall economic statement — a key fiscal report delivered annually by the finance minister — will be released Nov. 6. (File: Photo:<\/a> Rod Phillips\/Facebook<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TORONTO — Ontario’s 2019-20 deficit will be lower than the $10.3 billion the Progressive Conservative government projected in their spring budget, Finance Minister Rod Phillips said Thursday.<\/p>\n

Phillips announced in a speech to the Canadian Club of Toronto that the government’s fall economic statement — a key fiscal report delivered annually by the finance minister — will be released Nov. 6.<\/p>\n

The minister promised it will show a smaller shortfall than the Tories predicted in April but gave no details on how that would be achieved, worrying critics who say it will be done by cutting spending.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t think that Ontarians anywhere need to be worried,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cI think what they need to know is that this government has a balanced plan (and) that we’re executing that plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Progressive Conservatives said last month the province’s deficit in 2018-2019 came in at $7.4 billion — roughly half of the $15 billion shortfall they said they inherited from the previous Liberal government.<\/p>\n

Opposition critics said for months that figure was vastly inflated, and interim Liberal Leader John Fraser said Thursday the government’s current, $10.3 billion target is also inflated to create a context for cuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t pump up the deficit and say you’ve slain the dragon,\u201d Fraser said. \u201cIt’s like putting out a fire you set.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, the Progressive Conservatives used their first fiscal update after coming to power to announce a number of cuts. The moves included the consolidation of three independent provincial oversight offices and scrapping plans for a French-language university.<\/p>\n

Both moves sparked anger amongst Franco-Ontarians and led Tory legislator Amanda Simard to quit caucus. The province has since reached an agreement with the federal government to fund the French-language university.<\/p>\n

Phillips said this fiscal update will take a measured approach while focusing on the province’s need balance the books in five years, as promised in the government’s spring budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are expenditures that we need to make in strategic areas but … for the medium and long-term we have to address the debt and deficit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

NDP deputy leader Sara Singh said the government is laying the groundwork to make more spending cuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we saw with last year’s fall economic statement was devastating cuts rolled out,\u201d she said. \u201cThose cuts are having an impact across the province.\u201d<\/p>\n

Singh said the Tories have switched ministers in the important finance portfolio — with Phillips taking over from Vic Fedeli in June — but their approach to the budget is the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can change the ministers at the table, but if that isn’t going to change the priorities it does nothing for the people of Ontario,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said the government has played \u201cfast and loose\u201d with the deficit numbers to justify cuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect (Premier Doug Ford) will continue using dubious math to put the squeeze on health care, education and social services,\u201d Schreiner said in a statement.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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