Ontario’s budget watchdog is questioning whether the Liberals can balance the books next year. In a report Monday, the Financial Accountability Office said the government is relying “on optimistic assumptions for revenue growth and program spending restraint.”The independent office is projecting a budget deficit of $5.2 billion this year and $2.6 billion in 2017-18. That’s in contrast to the Nov. 14 fall economic statement that forecast a $4.3 billion shortfall in 2016-17 and the books balanced the next year. “There is significant risk that the government may not be able to eliminate the deficit in 2017-18, nor maintain a balanced budget going forward,” the office warned.

Source: thestar November 28, 2016 16:47 UTC