Premier Doug Ford has been backing down on some of the Progressive Conservatives’ most controversial moves to clear the political debris blocking his government’s way forward. From cancelling planned welfare cuts for vulnerable children and abandoning regional government reform to retreating on the Toronto subway upload, the Tories are putting problems behind them as they look toward Wednesday’s fall economic statement.With an inclusive theme of “building Ontario together,” Finance Minister Rod Phillips’ fiscal update is a reset button for an administration after a shaky first 16 months in office.“I just believe in working with people. If we don’t get it right 1,000 per cent of the time, then we’re going to work with the groups to make sure we get it right,” Ford told reporters on Monday.“And, honestly, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sitting back, listening and making a decision.”To that end, in recent weeks the Tories have: Scrapped plans to take ownership of the TTC’s subway system, in exchange for city council approving Ford’s proposed 15.5 km Ontario Line from the Ontario Science Centre in Don Mills to the Exhibition GO station. Given up on sweeping reforms to regional government, which could have seen Brampton forced to merge with Caledon and Mississauga secede from Peel Region. Reversed a decision to allow promotion and advertising of vaping products in convenience stores and gas stations, amid concern about an epidemic in vaping by teens and potentially dangerous health impacts. A promotion ban that the previous Liberal government had slated for July 2018 will now take effect in January. Axed the planned cutting of the $67 million Transition Children Benefit, which gives up to $230 a month to low-income families of 32,000 kids not receiving the Ontario or Canada Child Benefit. Cancelled a $28-million budget cut to children’s aid societies after ...
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