Ontario legislature on track for shortest sitting in decades

Ontario’s legislature is set to sit for 53 days in 2026 if the current schedule holds, which would make it the shortest nonelection year in about 50 years. The Ford government has adjourned Queen’s Park for a 21week break after a shortened spring sitting that passed several omnibus bills. Premier Doug Ford says the government will use the time to travel and focus on jobs and trade discussions, including talks linked to the U.S. and CUSMA. Opposition parties, especially the NDP, say the long recess reduces accountability and limits debate on government decisions. Political experts say a shorter sitting calendar can help a government manage its agenda, but it also reduces opportunities for scrutiny and legislative debate. They note that public reaction may depend less on the number of sitting days and more on whether the government is seen as getting its work done.