Ontario expected to announce more pandemic spending as it delivers 2021 budget

The provincial government will deliver its 2021-22 budget on Wednesday.

Premier Doug Ford says the budget will focus on economic recovery and fighting the pandemic.

This will be the government’s second spending package during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says it won’t raise taxes or cut any provincial services and will contain measures to bolster Ontario’s vaccine rollout.

“The best stimulus for reopening the economy is a vaccination and keeping people safe,” he said. “That job is not done yet.”

The province has already revealed some measures that will be contained in the budget, including new funding for hospitals, long-term care construction, and to help seniors receive their COVID-19 shot.

Ontario delivered its last spending package in November, after delaying its planned March 2020 release because of the pandemic.

READ: Ford government rolls out spending plan for pandemic and beyond 

That document had record spending of $187 billion, and a record deficit of $38.5 billion.