Ontario Premier Doug Ford Ontario shakes hands with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, after he delivered the budget, at the Queen’s Park Legislature in Toronto, on Thursday, May 15, 2025.听
Breaking down Ontario’s big spend budget as Trump’s tariffs loom large
Ontario just dropped its biggest budget ever 鈥 $232.5 billion 鈥 and looming over every dollar of it is the shadow of Donald Trump, his tariffs, and an uncertain economic future.听
Ontario Premier Doug Ford Ontario shakes hands with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, after he delivered the budget, at the Queen’s Park Legislature in Toronto, on Thursday, May 15, 2025.听
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Guest:听Queen鈥檚 Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie
Ontario just dropped its biggest budget ever 鈥 $232.5 billion 鈥 and looming over every dollar of it is the shadow of Donald Trump, his tariffs, and an uncertain economic future. This year鈥檚 budget also includes a new $5 billion 鈥淧rotect Ontario鈥 fund to shield businesses and jobs from the escalating trade war with the U.S. But behind the big numbers lie bigger questions like a $14.6 billion deficit, no major new housing initiatives despite a worsening crisis, and a controversial plan to rip out downtown bike lanes in favour of cars. The Star鈥檚 Queen鈥檚 Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie breaks it all down and what this budget means for Ontarians.听
Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques
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Eitizaz is a co-host and producer on the Star鈥檚 podcast team.
She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: .
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