June 14, 2012 - 10:32 AM
TORONTO - The Ontario legislature adjourns today, but politicians can't begin their summer break just yet.
The legislature was supposed to rise last Thursday, but the Liberal government agreed to sit an extra week to get the opposition parties to agree on a date for the crucial budget vote.
The politicians will return next Wednesday for one more question period and then vote on the Liberals' budget.
It is expected to pass, with the NDP promising to support the minority government to avoid triggering an election.
The NDP agreed to support the Liberals in exchange for a new tax on incomes over $500,000, and to get more hearings into the budget.
The Conservatives agreed to stop their delaying tactics in the legislature in exchange for more committee hearings into the scandal at the Ornge air ambulance service.
The Tories will vote against the budget next week, saying it failed to rein in government spending or address what they say is Ontario's jobs crisis.
Only a few government bills were passed since last fall's election, including anti-bullying legislation that requires schools to allow clubs called gay-straight alliances, and an annual bill to cap rent increases.
The legislature also updated the Human Rights Code to make Ontario the first province to extend protections to transgendered people after years of work by New Democrat Cheri DiNovo.
It also passed one more private members' bill Thursday, jointly sponsored by the Tories and NDP, to set up a One Call system where people can get information before digging in the ground to avoid hitting gas, sewer or power lines.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012