Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the Ford government for running a surplus in the 2021-22 fiscal year instead of a previously projected deficit.

“Today’s budget update is great news for taxpayers,” said CTF Ontario Director Jay Goldberg. “The Ford government has balanced the books, which is good news for future generations. A balanced budget means less debt and more room for taxpayers’ priorities.”

The Ford government announced that Ontario ran a surplus for the first time in 14 years for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy projected a deficit of $13.5 billion earlier this year, but the province ended the year with a $2.1 billion surplus.

The CTF is now calling on the Ford government to make its temporary gas tax cut permanent.

“With a surplus of over $2 billion, now is the time for the Ford government to keep its long-standing promise to permanently lower the provincial gas tax,” said Goldberg. “With sky-high inflation and scheduled annual federal carbon tax increases until 2030, Ontarians desperately need permanent relief at the pumps.”