Secret documents point to big-spending Ontario Liberal budget

Thestar.com
April 1, 2014
Robert Benzie

Confidential Ministry of Finance documents leaked to the Progressive Conservatives reveal‎ Finance Minister Charles Sousa‎ will table a big-spending budget on May 1.

Insiders delivered to the Tories an 11-page “communication rollout”‎ that shows $5.7 billion in new spending in the fiscal blueprint.

The internal calendar shows the Liberals plan 39 different budget-related announcements over 27 days leading to May 1.

Code-named “BLT” for “Budget Leaking Team,” the‎ Grit plan will use government ministries to ‎promote a pre-election spending plan.

“This is a heinous misuse of government funds,” said Tor‎y MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing).
“It's an election campaign paid for by the taxpayers,”‎ Fedeli said Tuesday.

It is a devastating blow to the Liberals' communications effort‎ — and it comes courtesy of “multiple whistle-blowers.”

On Thursday in a speech to the Canadian Club, Sousa is to reveal a revised deficit figure for this year, the secret documents say.

It will likely be lower than the current $11.7 billion shortfall, but that's not specified in the “confidential advice to cabinet.”

According to the documents:

Next week Sousa and Education Minister Liz Sandals will announce $35 million for school nutrition programs.

On April 9, the Liberals are to tout $85 million over three years for in vitro fertilization.

The next day, the government plans $300 million for front line services to help low-income workers.

On April 11, $730 million over three years will be earmarked to tackle waiting lists for developmental services.

Premier Kathleen Wynne's much-ballyhooed transit-funding plan is due April 14 but the internal document says little about the details.

On April 22, the Liberals will announce an increase or an indexing of the Ontario Child Benefit, which currently gives $1,200 a year to 530,000 low-income families.

The next day, a scheme to eliminate the debt-retirement charge for residential electricity ‎customers will be disclosed to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

On April 28, the Liberals will do a major “corporate welfare” announcement with unspecified funding to Osprey. As well, Sysco Canada will get $3.5 million toward a new distribution centre in Woodstock.

Fedeli admitted the Liberals will probably scramble to change the dates meaning the budget date could be changed to May 8.

Wynne wouldn't reveal a budget date while touring a coffee plant in Rexdale.

“The finance minister will be making that announcement shortly and there will be a budget in the near term,” she told reporters before ‎dashing to Queen's Park in time for question period.