Ontario deficit nearly doubles as province tables $244.2 billion budget in face of ‘unpredictable economic shocks’

EDITORIAL: Doug Ford's Ontario budget awash in sea of red ink

For someone who used to denounce provincial deficits when Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne was in charge, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has undergone a transformation during his years in power since 2018.

Municipal leader cautiously optimistic about provincial budget

The province’s deficit for 2026-27 is projected to be $13.8 billion, a big jump from what was forecast in 2025.

Ontario delays path to balance, pumps billions into research and innovation in budget

Ontario deficit nearly doubles as province tables $244.2 billion budget in face of ‘unpredictable economic shocks’

Ontario’s projected deficit for the coming year has nearly doubled, with the Ford government now projecting that it will be $13.8 billion in the red in 2026-2027 amid “ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.”

Ontario projects $13.8-billion deficit in budget, delays balancing books

Province cites economic uncertainty for red ink as U.S. tariffs continue to weigh on businesses

Ontario's 2026 budget sees deficit hit $13.8B amid looming global instability

The spectre of worldwide instability looms large in Ontario's 2026 budget, which includes a small business income tax cut alongside a temporary reprieve on HST for buyers of new homes — but also pushes back a balanced budget for yet another year with a higher-than projected deficit.