Ontario Budget 2019: Here's what the internet thinks of Ford's plans

The 2019 Ontario Budget was tabled this afternoon by Doug Ford’s government.

See also

• Budget 2019: Ford Government to invest more than $4 billion in health care
• Ontario Budget 2019: All 15 locations of proposed Ontario Line revealed
• Ontario Budget 2019: First look at new provincial licence plates
• Ontario Budget 2019: Ford Government predicts provincial surplus within 5 years
• Ontario Budget 2019: 'Happy Hour' is coming back to Ontario

The Ontario PCs said the budget will include no new taxes and will allow the government to provide a “projected $26 billion in much-needed relief to individuals, families and businesses over six years, and eliminate the deficit.”

In a statement, Ford said that the province has sent “a clear message to the world that Ontario is open for business. While there is a lot of work left to do, we’re off to a great start.”

And of course, the internet wasted no time chiming in with its thoughts on what went down, as well.

The word “alcohol” or “beer” appears 46 times in the Doug Ford government’s first budget. The words “teacher” or “teachers” appears 25 times.
The word “poverty” appears 0 times.
#onpoli #ONBudgethttps://t.co/tkXjy0klym

— Mike Webster (@chemclass) April 11, 2019

#ONBudget
1- Buck a beer
2- Horses
3- Stickers
4- License plates
5- 3 man in the hot tub
6- Tailgating
7- Road signs
8- $25B for transportation when we have $15B deficit
9- $1000 day beer consultant

Disabled people 🚫
Autism 🚫
Students 🚫
Teachers 🚫

— remoteteacup (@remoteteacup) April 11, 2019

No surprise here. Ford has already gone after elementary and secondary schools – we knew he wasn’t going to leave higher education alone. #OnBudget #OnPoli #OntEd https://t.co/jDbpWTAgnT

— Jonathon Jackson (@jonathonj1970) April 11, 2019

I am currently combing through the #ONBudget, it says a lot about the priorities of a government when alcohol accessibility is better explained than mental health funding. A government only for some people. #onpoli #Budget2019 #cdnpoli

— Neil Before Zod™ (@ThatsMrNeil) April 11, 2019

Another #ONbudget day. The PCs rolled out the biggest budget in the province’s history. It includes 63 references to booze and gambling. The word “poverty” does not appear. #onpoli https://t.co/prrLAXo36p

— Lucas Powers (@lucasbpowers) April 11, 2019

Removing “reconciliation” from Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ mandate was not enough for Ford.

Now the entire Ministry of Indigenous Affairs has been cut by neary 50%. This is one of the most cruel cuts in the #ONBudget.#ParkHP #onpoli

— Bhutila Karpoche (@BhutilaKarpoche) April 11, 2019

Seriously, a budget that puts emphasis on expanding drinking & gambling, coming from a Premier who’s own family has had serious addiction issues? I guess we see how his priorities were shaped. #ONBudget

— Ed the Sock (@EdtheSock) April 11, 2019

I see nothing about about doubling the OAP to $600m. I do see a $1 Billion cut to Children, Community & Social Services in the next 5 years. I also see an adjustment of only $34m MCCSS this year.

As usual, numbers don’t match the spin. #AutismDoesntEndAtFord #OnPoli

#onbudget pic.twitter.com/DNfijv3TW4

— Louis Busch (@LouisBusch) April 11, 2019

The provincial government knows their ten per cent tuition cut only benefits rich kids. They know, and they don’t care.
#ONBudget

— Emmaline (@schrbchE) April 11, 2019

What the fuck is Fedeli talking about: “customer first model” for gov’t? You are supposed to be building communities, not returning a pair of shoes. #ONBudget

— Nicole Ysabet (@n_ysabet) April 11, 2019

So far DoFo’s budget is soaked in new booze related legislation. Talk about projecting your family addictions. #fordnotfittogovern #ONPoli #ONBudget

— Isabella Bardoel 🍁🌷 (@IsabellaBardoel) April 11, 2019

Vic: “They’re not gonna be happy with cuts Doug!”

Doug: “Lets grab a beer Vic, I got this new dope ass ride they bought me”

Vic: “Doug, we’re not gonna balance the budget”

Doug: “We can drink beer in parks man, no worries. It’s 9am, happy hour boy!” #ONBudget #FordCutsHurt

— Tom H (@humourme1234) April 11, 2019

You know #DougFord Ontarians don’t need to buy booze at 9am; they need to be able to afford to buy groceries at all times and you took that basic human right away, when you cancelled the minimum wage raise. #ONBudget #cdnpoli

— Voyage Around My Dad, Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) April 11, 2019

Hey @fordnation, no matter which vice you try and seduce us with, we’ll never love you.

Signed,

– People of Ontario#onpoli #ONBudget

— Fred Shilson (@Fred_Shilson) April 11, 2019

If you like alcohol, cannabis, and tailgate parties, this budget is for you! #ONBudget

— Katherine Wieser (@KatherineWieser) April 11, 2019

Can’t wait to show off my new licence plate while sitting in traffic cuz transit went back to the drawing board but at least I can go to a bar at 9 am after dropping my kid off at school & won’t have to worry about the deficit at all until after the next election. #ONBudget pic.twitter.com/lGqXSJ1CAA

— Kevin Frankish (@KevinFrankish) April 11, 2019

#ONBudget includes plans to allow people to drink at restaurants and bars starting at 9am. While the province implodes you can enjoy a nice mimosa

— Christine Duong (@christineduongg) April 11, 2019

The Ford Government is taking things away – away from our children, our students and our families #OSAP #CutsHurtKids #PauseThePlan #ONPoli #ONBudget #FinanceMatters

— Mitzie Hunter (@MitzieHunter) April 11, 2019

This could be Ford’s only majority term. And yet they’re saying they’re not going to balance the books until after they’re re-elected. Sorry, but re-election should be a reward for balancing the books. #ONbudget

— Anthony Furey (@anthonyfurey) April 11, 2019

Drink, cut, gamble, drink in parks, money for subways, subways, subways (unstudied, at the expense of future-forward transit initiatives, and unlikely to ever be built), gas tax reversal, cut, re-branding, drink again. #ONbudget #Budget2019 #ontariobudget #FordCutsHurt

— Ford Tracker (@ford_tracker) April 11, 2019

The provincial government says it is forecasting a deficit of $11.7 billion in 2018-19. That figure represents a $3.3 billion improvement from the $15 billion that was left behind by the previous government, according to its “Big Fiscal” predictions outlined in the document.