On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast BUDGET BONUS with Jessica Smith Cross: Will Ontario be better off a year from now or just further in debt?
Mar 27, 2026
17:13
Ontario’s latest budget is out—and as always, the real story isn’t just what’s in it, but what’s not.
In this bonus episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford is joined by Jessica Smith Cross from The Trillium to unpack the government’s fiscal plan just hours after it was tabled.
From Freedom of Information changes buried inside a massive omnibus bill, to record levels of spending and persistent deficits, this conversation cuts through the political messaging to focus on what matters.
We dig into the government’s new $4 billion Protect Ontario investment fund, the lack of clarity around long-term economic strategy, and the ongoing question: how does all this spending translate into real improvements—especially in healthcare?
Plus, what didn’t make the cut? From infrastructure projects to transit priorities, the omissions may be just as telling as the announcements.
If you want to understand where Ontario is headed—and what to watch next—this is your essential post-budget breakdown.
🔔 Subscribe for more Ontario politics insights
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts
Chapters
You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X
And you can leave us a voice comment here!
For more information go to Dave's website.
In this bonus episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford is joined by Jessica Smith Cross from The Trillium to unpack the government’s fiscal plan just hours after it was tabled.
From Freedom of Information changes buried inside a massive omnibus bill, to record levels of spending and persistent deficits, this conversation cuts through the political messaging to focus on what matters.
We dig into the government’s new $4 billion Protect Ontario investment fund, the lack of clarity around long-term economic strategy, and the ongoing question: how does all this spending translate into real improvements—especially in healthcare?
Plus, what didn’t make the cut? From infrastructure projects to transit priorities, the omissions may be just as telling as the announcements.
If you want to understand where Ontario is headed—and what to watch next—this is your essential post-budget breakdown.
🔔 Subscribe for more Ontario politics insights
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
Budget day recap and setup for post-budget analysis - 01:15 – FOI Changes & Omnibus Bill Concerns
How FOI reforms are embedded in broader legislation - 03:31 – What’s Missing: Infrastructure & Transit Projects
Lack of substantive updates on highways and major projects - 04:11 – Spending vs Strategy Debate
Record spending levels and questions about fiscal planning - 08:35 – Protect Ontario Fund Explained
New investment strategy and private-sector partnerships - 13:09 – Political Framing & What Comes Next
Opposition reactions and timeline for passing the budget
You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X
And you can leave us a voice comment here!
For more information go to Dave's website.