Local MPPs are questioning the balanced budget put forward by the province.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says the government is hiding a more than $5 billion operational deficit.
"Their spending is up. And if it wasn't for unauthorized pension assets that they are using, one time unusual revenues as well as cash grabs like the cap and trade scheme they wouldn't be able to balance their budget at all," says Thompson.
On top of that, Thompson points to a number of decreased spending in areas that will affect Huron-Bruce.
"We have an economy that is based on agriculture, natural resources, tourism, and economic development is incredibly important," says Thompson. "And those are key ministries that are getting decreases in spending."
Thompson says the Progressive Conservatives wanted the budget to take action on the growing debt, address the root cause of the hydro crisis, make cap and trade revenue neutral, and to save rural schools.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece says the sale of Hydro One and the Liberals' decision to re-mortgage energy contracts to the tune of $25-billion in added interest payments will affect future taxpayers.
He also pegs the cut in the agriculture budget at $47-million.
-With files from Janice MacKay
