The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Ford government to cut wasteful government spending after a new Leger poll found that 68 per cent of Ontarians prefer cuts to government spending over hiking taxes to pay back government debt.

“The poll is clear: More than two-thirds of Ontarians know that the government needs to cut wasteful spending to deal with the debt,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario Director. “Ontarians struggling with the cost of living can’t afford more of their money being wasted on debt interest charges.”

The Leger poll asked Ontarians if they’d prefer the government cut spending or raise taxes to reduce government debt and interest charges. The poll found:

• 68 per cent of Ontarians support cutting government spending
• 13 per cent of Ontarians support raising taxes
• 19 per cent of Ontarians are unsure

Among Ontarians with an opinion, 78 per cent support cutting government spending while only 22 per cent support raising taxes.

The Ontario government is borrowing $25.8 billion this year, increasing the debt to $485 billion. Interest charges on the debt will cost taxpayers $17.2 billion, or $1,060 per Ontarian.

Debt interest charges are projected to cost taxpayers $24 billion by 2030-31, or $1,450 per Ontarian according to the Financial Accountability Office’s summer budget report. That makes debt interest charges the Ontario government’s fastest growing expense for the foreseeable future.

“Leaders of parties of all stripes borrowed billions and made the debt problem worse, but Premier Doug Ford can change that,” Jarvis said. “Ford needs to start cutting wasteful spending and bring an end to the borrowing binge in his coming fall economic statement.”