TORONTO - Ontario's governing Liberals say they'll table their crucial budget on May 1.

It's a high-stakes spending plan that could trigger an election if the minority government can't win the support of at least one opposition party.

The embattled Liberals are embroiled in a scandal related to the cancellation of two gas plants, which could cost up to $1.1 billion.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa announced the date at the same time the province's top civil servant was set to testify about the alleged wiping of hard drives in the premier's office.

The legislative committee is examining the deletion of government emails related to the cancellation of two unpopular gas plants, which the opposition say was done to save Liberal seats in the 2011 election.

Police allege 24 computers may have been scrubbed with the help of former premier Dalton McGuinty's chief of staff, David Livingston.