Ontario NDP launches Budget Report Card to test Ford’s priorities ahead of Budget 2026

QUEEN’S PARK –– Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP, and Shadow Finance Minister Jessica Bell (University––Rosedale) are launching a budget report card to test Doug Ford’s priorities ahead of Budget 2026.

“This budget is an important moment for our province,” said Stiles. “The Premier promises he’s working for the ‘little guy’, but Ontarians aren’t seeing that anywhere. Not at the grocery store, not in the emergency room, and not on their rent.

“Our report card looks at whether the Ford government’s latest budget makes life more affordable, invests in health care and education, and stops wasting people’s hard-earned tax dollars. Budgets are about priorities, and Ontarians deserve a government that puts their future first.”

Stiles and Bell’s report card will assess whether Ford’s latest budget passes the following tests:

• Does it lower the cost of rent and groceries?
• Does it fix health care and education?
• Does it build the homes you can afford?
• Does it create good jobs and opportunities?
• Does it spend your money responsibly?

“Ontarians want their government to make life more affordable, deliver better care faster, and create opportunities so you and your family can actually get ahead,” said Bell. “These five tests will show us whether Doug Ford’s budget helps or hurts Ontario.

“People don’t want more wasteful spending on Ford’s legacy projects. For eight years, his priorities have left the people of Ontario behind. Health care, education, housing, jobs, affordability –– that's how we're going to be grading the Premier's budget next week. Is he going to get an A, a D, or an F? We’ll find out next week.”