The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Ontario is projecting a larger-than-expected $13.8-billion deficit for the coming fiscal year as the province's sluggish economy feels the effects of U.S. tariffs on automobiles, aluminum and steel. The Globe's Jeff Gray and Laura Stone write that Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivered a budget on Thursday that he says is cautious but still includes spending hikes for key priorities, including health care and new tax breaks for small businesses. The deficit the province now projects for 2026-27 is $6-billion more than it had projected last fall. Ontario also expects to remain $6.1-billion in the red in 2027-28, when it had previously said it expected a surplus that year. Ontario is also launching a previously pledged fund, now to be run with a private-sector partner, to invest in industries that the government sees as keys to future growth, including artificial intelligence and biotech. The Protect Ontario Account Investment Fund was promised in last year's budget to offer up to $5-billion for business. Ontario has already used $1-billion to support businesses, including $100-million lent to tariff-hit Algoma Steel. The new fund now boasts up to $4-billion.