Ontario's financial watchdog says the province spent $3.5 billion less than planned in the last fiscal year.
In a report released today, the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario compares the Progressive Conservative government's budget projections for 2019-2020, changes made after the budget was tabled, with its actual spending.
It says while the government increased its spending plan by a net $2.6 billion late last year, it actually spent 2.2 per cent less than planned in the period ending March 31.
The watchdog says the most significant underspending was seen in interest on debt, which came in $1 billion under budget; health, which was $466 million under budget; and investments in public transit, which were $375 million under budget.
The FAO projects the province will see an interim deficit of $8.7 billion for 2019-2020, or $500 million less than what the government predicted in its latest fiscal update delivered in March.
The Tories tabled a one-year fiscal outlook earlier this year rather than a full budget, citing the COVID-19 pandemic's uncertain future effects on the economy.
A full budget is expected to be tabled by Nov. 15.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 28, 2020.
The Canadian Press
