NDP insists on several budget changes

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO and JONATHAN JENKINS, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief

Posted 23 hours ago

TORONTO – The New Democrats have shortened their list of budget demands in the face of an election threat but still insist on removing four sections of the document.

Leader Andrea Horwath held a press conference Monday morning in advance of the finance and economic affairs committee meeting where MPPs will consider amendments to Bill 55, the Liberal government’s budget.

“My caucus and I never abdicated our commitment to consult Ontarians, make amendments and improve this budget,” Horwath says in a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty, in response to his allegation that she has twice reneged on deals to support his budget.

Horwath told reporters she doesn’t intend to snap to attention because the premier says so, but she sees this as a “path” to a solution to the election standoff.

McGuinty issued a statement over the weekend in which he said he intends to get any future deals with the NDP in writing.

Horwath said she will allow the committee’s amended budget to pass in the legislature on Wednesday.

The Liberals have said they will call an election before Wednesday’s vote if the opposition guts their budget.