TORONTO – There’s no hope of a budget deal with the Progressive Conservatives so Premier Kathleen Wynne must get one with the NDP to avoid spring election.

A spokeswoman says Wynne and Tory Leader Tim Hudak were unable to find any common ground in a pre-budget meeting late Wednesday afternoon.

Wynne and Hudak discussed jobs, growth and infrastructure investments but could not agree on what the Ontario economy needs to grow.

The provincial budget is expected in late March or early April, and Wynne has said she wants a new revenue stream to fund transit.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has said her party will not tolerate any hike in the gas tax or new road tolls to fund transit, but hasn’t said if the NDP would vote down the budget if it includes tax hikes. She has no meeting scheduled with Wynne.

Earlier this week, the Progressive Conservatives tried to get the NDP to join them and vote against the minority Liberals on a series of confidence votes on routine housekeeping bills.