Andrea Horwath can’t support the provincial budget as is. Even if it means toppling the Liberals and sending voters back to the polls for an election they surely don’t want.

It’s a cruel budget. A business friendly, conservative budget. And one that certainly doesn’t meet any social democratic standards.

A budget that will freeze public sector wages through negotiation or legislation. Translation: Voluntarily agree to wage freezes or the government will impose them on you. Not even the Drummond report recommended public sector wage freezes.

A budget that freezes welfare and disability rates. Without a cost of living adjustment, recipients fall deeper into poverty.