TORONTO – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she’ll ensure passage of the provincial budget, avoiding an election.

The minority Liberals need the NDP onside to pass the budget, which is a confidence motion.

The Progressive Conservatives are pushing for an election and said they’d never support the budget, even before they read it.

The Liberals addressed a long list of NDP demands in the budget, but Horwath said she wanted more accountability.

Last week, Premier Kathleen Wynne agreed to Horwath’s extra demand for a financial accountability office, modelled on the parliamentary budget office in Ottawa.

Horwath has also asked for ombudsman oversight of the health-care sector, such as hospitals and nursing homes, and a halt to so-called high-occupancy toll lanes.

(The Canadian Press)