Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy looking to return the provincial budget to balance within two years.

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The slogan emblazoned across the Fall Economic Statement issued by the Ford government on Thursday was a familiar one – Protect Ontario.

It’s a phrase that touches and guides everything Ford does these days and he and his team use it because it works.

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A poll released this week by Leger shows that if an election were held today, Ford and his PC Party would win handily thanks in large part to the idea that he is best suited for dealing with Donald Trump and his tariffs and working with the federal government in Ottawa.

According to Leger, if an election were held today, Ford’s PC’s would take 44% of the vote, the leaderless Liberals would take 32% and the NDP 13%. On the issue of dealing with tariffs, 45% say the Ford government has done a good job preparing the province for tariffs – a figure that rises to 51% among those aged 55 and over, the most reliable voting group.

It’s these voters in particular that Ford is courting with his Protect Ontario messaging and policies.

It’s these voters in particular that Ford is courting with his Protect Ontario messaging and policies.

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