News

Published March 27, 2026

Opposition fears Doug Ford's omnibus budget bill will be fast-tracked through to law

By  Allison Jones and Liam Casey
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivers the 2026 budget as Premier Doug Ford and PC caucus members applaud at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy is applauded by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and members of the PC Caucus as he introduces the 2026 Budget in the Ontario Legislature in Toronto, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

What do conservation authorities, a downtown Toronto parking lot and freedom-of-information requests have in common?

Provincial legislative changes are coming to all three, and they are jammed into an omnibus budget bill that Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled Thursday.

There are also proposed changes to the ticket resale market, retail shopping on holidays and numerous taxation tweaks, in addition to the province's plan for doling out taxpayer money in the coming year.

Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with what Barrie's talking about. Get the latest local news delivered right to your inbox every day. Never miss out on what's going on ...
Subscription Form
Consent Info

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Opposition party leaders say the approach lacks transparency and accountability because there is such a range of proposed changes.

New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles says she's most worried about Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government fast-tracking the megabill through the legislative process, as it has done previously.

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser says the nature of this large, disparate bill means it is more difficult to scrutinize.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2026.

What do you think of this article?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Have a breaking story?

Share it with us!
Share Your Story

What Barrie's talking about!

From breaking news to the best slice of pizza in town! Get everything Barrie’s talking about delivered right to your inbox every day. Don’t worry, we won’t spam you. We promise :)
Subscription Form
Consent Info

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Related Stories

Advertisement
Advertisement