Finance minister announces Ford government’s 1st budget date in Nobleton

Yorkregion.com
March 15, 2019
Sheila Wang

The Doug Ford government will table its first budget for 2019 on April 11, says the finance minister, who stressed “fiscal sustainability.”

Finance Minister Vic Fedeli made the announcement on March 7 at Cappuccino Bakery, a local small business in Nobleton.

“Small businesses like the Cappuccino Bakery are the backbone of Ontario’s economy,” Fedeli said. “They make significant investments, they pay taxes, they hire people and create jobs right here in our backyard.”

The minister thanked the bakery owner for cannolis and coffee, and noted the government will continue to deliver its promises and balance the budget in a responsible manner, while putting citizens at the centre.

In last June’s election campaign, Ford promised to slash about $6 billion in funding from the annual $150 billion spending plan --or four per cent --while maintaining “not one” job will be lost.

“Our government is very much focused on supporting our small businesses, our workers, our families and our seniors,” said MPP Stephen Lecce for King-Vaughan riding, who welcomed the finance minister at the news conference.

“And we are open for businesses, open for jobs. That is clearly being manifested here in King Township, as you see the businesses hustling and bustling with so many workers here.”

King Township Ward 2 Coun. David Boyd, a longtime Nobleton resident, also attended the announcement at the 30-year-old family business.

Offering little detail on the first budget, Fedeli said the government will have a “detailed plan” --referred to as “the Goldilocks approach” --which will set Ontario "down a path to long-term fiscal sustainability."

“The fiscal mess we inherited from the previous government cannot be understated,” he said, referring to former premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals, who were toppled by the Tories last June.