TORONTO, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s 2026 budget for increasing government spending and borrowing $25.8 billion this year.

“Debt interest charges continue to balloon because Ford’s spending continues to balloon,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario Director. “Ford needs to cut wasteful spending because taxpayers can’t afford to pay more than $1 billion every month for interest charges on the debt.”

Budget 2026 increases government spending by $5.8 billion this year. That’s a 50.6 per cent increase in spending since Ford became premier in 2018.

The government will borrow $25.8 billion in 2026-27. That means the provincial debt will reach $485.1 billion. 

Debt interest charges will cost $17.2 billion this year. That means debt interest charges will cost $1,064 per Ontarian.

Polling shows 75 per cent of Ontarians say they are concerned about rising debt interest charges.

The Ford government announced it is expanding tax relief for homebuyers by removing the HST for some homes for one year. This will save taxpayers $2.2 billion this year. 

The Ford government is also cutting the small business tax rate by one percentage point.

“Cutting taxes for small businesses is good and it will create jobs,” Jarvis said. “Ford needs to end corporate welfare and other wasteful spending so he can cut taxes further.

“Taxpayers need Ford to cut wasteful spending, stop borrowing money and start paying down debt.”