Article content

TORONTO — A line-by-line review of the Ontario government’s spending has found the province’s operating expenses grew by 55% over 15 years.

Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy says the audit by EY Canada found the increase in government spending has outpaced population growth by 1.9%.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ontario spending audit finds operating expenses grew 55% over 15 yrs Back to video

Bethlenfalvy previously said the firm would audit all government programs and services, something Premier Doug Ford had promised during the spring election campaign.

He said the audit, combined with an independent commission of inquiry, would help the Progressive Conservative government assess the province’s financial position.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or

The province also conducted online surveys where people could weigh in on how to make government programs more efficient.

On Monday, Ford announced a select committee to dig further into the province’s fiscal situation, while slamming his predecessor’s handling of Ontario’s books.

Finance Minister Vic Fedeli announced last week that Ontario was dealing with a recently revised $15 billion deficit as a result of Liberal accounting practices.