Ontario Premier Doug Ford launches agency reviews and pushes for extension of federal gas tax break

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a province‑wide review of eight major public agencies, including Metrolinx, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Supply Ontario, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, Legal Aid Ontario, Agricorp and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy said the reviews, starting this summer, will assess efficiency and productivity amid heightened scrutiny of government spending.

In a separate move, Ford wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging the federal government to keep the suspension of the fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel in place beyond its September 7 deadline, proposing an extension to at least Jan. 1 2027 or making it permanent. The suspension, originally introduced due to rising fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict, saves consumers about 10 cents per litre of gasoline and 4 cents per litre of diesel.