In a rare summer sitting at Queen’s Park, politicians have re-elected Ted Arnott as Speaker, ahead of Tuesday’s Throne Speech and re-introduced budget.

It’s not a new challenge for the Conservative representative for Wellington-Halton Hills who served as Speaker the previous four years.

He says with pandemic restrictions lifted, he hopes politicians can connect better with each other.

“Members need to get to know each other across party lines and they need to have a safe place in order to do that, and the speaker can facilitate that and that can lead to a more professional debate ion the house generally and a higher standard,” Arnott told reporters at Queens Park.

Premier Ford has signalled the only new item in tomorrow’s budget will be a five per cent increase to Ontario Disability Support Program rates, which have been frozen since 2018 at up to $1,169 a month for a single person for basic needs and shelter.