Finance Minister Charles Sousa is setting the stage for an income-tax hike on higher-paid Ontarians in a budget that could come as late as May.

Echoing Premier Kathleen Wynne, Sousa emphasized Tuesday his spending plan would not adversely affect the vast majority of taxpayers.

“We’ve said very clearly that we’re not raising HST, we’re not going to increase gas taxes, and we’re very cognizant about . . . maintaining a very dynamic business climate while protecting the middle class,” he said.

With declining tax revenues and a stubborn $11.7 billion deficit, senior officials said the Liberals are considering a new surtax on people making $150,000 and up.

It would be just one element in a budget expected after the legislature resumes April 28 following the Easter break. Because Ontario budgets are traditionally introduced on Thursdays, that could mean May 1 or May 8.

“We want to ensure that people — especially those that are finding it tough to make ends meet — aren’t impacted negatively,” the treasurer said.

“So we’re going to do everything that’s necessary to invest in the economy and when the budget comes out we’ll release more specifics about how we’re going to raise revenues.”

Sousa chose his words carefully when asked by a reporter if “upper-income” earners would therefore face tax increases to bankroll billions in promised Liberal transit and infrastructure improvements.

“I do want to assure everyone that this is something that’s going to very palatable and is meaningful to all Ontarians in terms of providing the investments necessary to promote economic growth,” he said.

“I do want to say that middle-income class earners and the majority of Ontarians are going to find themselves in a position where they’re going to have the tools necessary to prosper and go forward in a more meaningful way. It’s right for you to assume that we are protecting the middle class.”

In Waterloo, Wynne stammered when journalists queried her on what constitutes the “middle-income” earners she has vowed to protect.

“There are many different think-tanks and organizations that define ‘middle income’ differently,” she said after announced that details on all-day GO Train service between Toronto and Waterloo will be in the budget.

The premier said “there’s a broad swath of people who are struggling to make ends meet, who haven’t had increases in their income over the last number of years, who have been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn.”

“We’ll obviously be bringing forward more details about how we’re going to put in place a transportation revenue stream. I mean, that’s what this is about, is having money in order to be able to make investments like the one I’m talking about today,” said Wynne.

“But what I did last week was I took off the table the increase in HST, gas tax or income tax increases on middle-income families. That’ll be clearer when we bring the budget it.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party has propped up the minority Liberals for the past two years in the legislature, said Wynne is cribbing from the New Democrats’ playbook.

“The Liberals seem to be adopting our line on a lot of different things,” said Horwath, noting the premier followed her advice to back off hiking the HST or the gas tax.

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“I put that priority out there not because it was my personal priority but because I heard this from other Ontarians,” she said.

While Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak has said he wants to topple Wynne’s Liberals in the legislature at the earliest opportunity, Horwath was more measured.

“There’s a lot of factors that we’ll be considering when it comes to the next confidence motion in the house and we’re going to take our time to take our cues — and get our marching orders if you will — from the people of this province.”

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