Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives unveiled their campaign platform on Monday, outlining plans for up to $40 billion in new expenditures. Party leader Doug Ford cautioned that confronting U.S. tariffs might push the province further into deficit. The platform, released just days before the election, mainly reiterates Ford’s existing proposals, with a few exceptions, like eliminating the minimum retail price for liquor.
A senior PC party official explained that most of the new spending would be geared towards addressing potential U.S. tariffs, contingent on the tariffs’ scale and specifics. Proposed tariff-related initiatives include establishing a $5 billion Protect Ontario Account, providing $10 billion in employer support through tax deferrals, offering up to $3 billion in payroll and premium relief, allocating up to $40 million for municipalities heavily impacted by tariffs, and earmarking up to $120 million to enhance wholesale alcohol discounts for bars and restaurants.
Given the absence of substantial new revenue sources in the platform, the increased spending would likely need to be primarily financed through deficits. Ford previously projected balancing the budget by 2026-2027 in the fall economic statement. However, he cautioned that the threat of tariffs could disrupt this trajectory.
In addition to the previously announced commitments, the platform includes $705 million to expand STEM and skilled trades training at post-secondary institutions and $50 million to support modular housing technology. Notably, the platform features some high-cost promises without specified price tags, such as Ford’s proposal to construct a traffic and transit tunnel beneath Highway 401 in Toronto, which experts estimate could reach $100 billion.
Ford defended the lack of detailed costs by highlighting his government’s fiscal responsibility over the past seven years. He emphasized prudent management of taxpayer funds, pointing out that no taxes have been raised, and debt payment costs have been reduced. Ford also suggested that economic growth could help offset some of the platform’s expenditures.
Furthermore, a re-elected PC government under Ford’s leadership plans to eliminate the minimum retail price for liquor, a long-standing measure aimed at discouraging alcoholism. Ford criticized this policy, contrasting it with other provinces’ approaches, and argued for reducing liquor prices to provide tax relief to consumers.
The PC platform did not mention the party’s 2022 commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, a pledge that has made limited progress. Ford affirmed the party’s commitment to this goal and highlighted the need for lower interest rates and streamlined municipal permitting processes to accelerate housing construction.
As the election nears, the housing record of the Ford government has been a focal point for political opponents on the campaign trail. The New Democrats and Liberals have unveiled their election platforms, while the Greens have detailed their commitments and costing. Voters will cast their ballots on Thursday.
