{"data":[{"cache":"2026-05-10 10:36:50","ministry_boost":7.800542861732847,"freshness_boost":-2.9845756172839506,"curated_boost":10.913375771605,"score":15.729343016053896,"id":1007216,"content_body":"<p><strong>TORONTO<\/strong> &mdash; Today, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/budget.ontario.ca\/2026\/index.html\">2026 Ontario Budget:<strong> <\/strong>A Plan to Protect Ontario<\/a><\/em>. In the midst of tariffs and economic uncertainty, the government continues to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario by building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7, including through significant tax relief contained in the next phase of Ontario&rsquo;s Tax Action Plan. The <em>2026 Budget<\/em> furthers the government&rsquo;s plan to attract jobs and investment, lower costs for workers and businesses, keep life affordable for families and individuals and make targeted investments in key public services that support the province&rsquo;s long-term prosperity.<\/p><p>&ldquo;Ontario is navigating economic challenges with a pragmatic and prudent fiscal plan,&rdquo; said Minister Bethlenfalvy. &ldquo;To help the province navigate these times and come out stronger, we are investing in strategic priorities such as energy, critical minerals, key infrastructure and critical technologies that will make our economy stronger, while cutting red tape and creating the conditions for businesses to grow, supporting workers and strengthening Ontario&rsquo;s economy.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Despite challenging global economic circumstances. Ontario&rsquo;s <em>2026 Budget <\/em>reflects the benefits of the province&rsquo;s resilience and prudent fiscal management to date. While other provinces and the federal government have made significant funding cuts, reductions in the size of the civil service or increased taxes, Ontario&rsquo;s <em>2026 Budget <\/em>continues to increase funding for key priorities like infrastructure, health care and education, while providing substantial tax relief to make life more affordable for Ontario families, increase competitiveness and spur investment and job creation in the province.<\/p><p>The government&rsquo;s approach maintains a path to balance as part of its fiscal plan. The <em>2026 Budget <\/em>continues to take a prudent and financially responsible approach through sustained investments in key public services, while maintaining the fiscal flexibility needed to respond to changing conditions and support for the people of Ontario.<\/p><p>Highlights include:<\/p><ul>\t<li><span><span><span>Delivering on the province&rsquo;s Tax Action Plan to make Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 and lower costs by:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\t<ul>\t\t<li><span><span><span>Providing further relief for home buyers by removing the full 13 per cent of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for all eligible buyers of new homes valued up to $1 million for a maximum rebate of $130,000 in relief to an eligible buyer and the amount would be maintained for new homes valued up to $1.5 million. The federal government has agreed to cost-share with Ontario in support of provincial housing initiatives, subject to passage of federal legislation, which would approximately cover the federal five per cent portion for the HST that is being removed from new homes in Ontario. This partnership would provide almost $2.2 billion in total joint tax relief for housing in Ontario.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t\t<li><span><span><span>Ensuring Ontario&rsquo;s small businesses continue to stay competitive and resilient by proposing to cut the small business corporate income tax (CIT) rate from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent effective July 1, 2026. By cutting the rate by more than 30 per cent, over 375,000 Ontario small businesses would benefit from an additional $1.1 billion in CIT relief over the next three years. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t\t<li><span><span><span>Intending to lower the cost of capital investments by allowing businesses to accelerate the income tax deduction for the cost of depreciable assets, in parallel with changes announced by the federal government. These changes would lower the cost for investment in a broad range of assets and would take effect following the passage of federal legislation. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<\/ul>\t<\/li>\t<li><span><span><span>Establishing the Protect Ontario Account Investment Fund, in which the province will invest up to $4 billion to attract investment from pension funds and other private capital to advance Ontario&rsquo;s long-term economic and strategic priorities. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span>Increasing funding for the Ontario Autism Program to nearly $1 billion annually, which will enable more children and youth to access core clinical services while further strengthening sector capacity across the province.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span>Expanding Ontario&rsquo;s four-year investment in the Primary Care Action Plan to $3.4 billion from 2025 to 2029, furthering the province&rsquo;s plan to connect everyone in Ontario to a family doctor or primary care provider. Initiatives through the Primary Care Action Plan will close the gap for the remaining people of Ontario who want to connect to primary care, achieving the goal of connecting every person in Ontario to primary care. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span>Investing in the most ambitious provincial capital plan in Canadian history, with planned investments over 10 years totalling more than $210 billion, including $37 billion in 2026&ndash;27. This includes building highways, hospitals, transit and community infrastructure to keep workers on the job, strengthen Ontario&rsquo;s economy and ensure communities thrive for generations to come. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span>Providing an additional $300 million over six years through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, to help meet the needs of growing communities by supporting the repair, upgrade or construction of new sport and recreation facilities across the province. Ontario&rsquo;s investments through the program now total $500 million.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span>Improving student achievement and preparing students for the future by investing $66 million per school year to create the Classroom Supplies Fund for elementary school homeroom teachers to receive a Classroom Supplies Card that provides access to $750 annually to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span>Saving daily transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) up to $1,600 per year, by extending the Ontario One Fare Program for an additional two years to continue keeping costs down for commuters. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"A Plan to Protect Ontario","language":"en","ministry_acronym_opposite":"mfo","ministry_id":221,"ministry_acronym":"MOF","ministry_name":"Ministry of Finance","ministry_abbreviated":"Finance","lead_ministry":{"id":221,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"MOF","acronym_fr":"MFO","featured_story_boost":393674,"name":"Ministry of Finance","name_abbreviated":"Finance","name_fr":"Minist\u00e8re des Finances","name_fr_abbreviated":"Finances","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007216,"ministry_id":221,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"release_date_time":"2026-03-26 16:10:00","release_date_time_formatted":"March 26, 2026","release_id_translated":1007216,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"a-plan-to-protect-ontario","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"a_plan_to_protect_ontario","unformatted_slug_translated":""},{"cache":"2026-05-10 10:36:50","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.13198302469135803,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.868016975308642,"id":1007425,"content_body":"<p><strong><span>SMITHS FALLS<\/span><\/strong><span> &mdash; The Ontario government is investing more than $14 million to upgrade and rehabilitate critical water infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties. The funding is part of Ontario&rsquo;s $875 million investment in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/health-and-safety-water-stream\"><span>Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program&rsquo;s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS)<\/span><\/a><span> and will help protect more than 1,400 homes, keep workers on the job and support long-term economic growth in Eastern Ontario. <\/span><\/p><p>&ldquo;Across Ontario, our government is investing in our $236 billion plan to build so we can protect Ontario, keep workers on the job and connect families to the world-class services they rely on,&rdquo; said Premier Doug Ford. &ldquo;Today&rsquo;s investment will protect homeowners and support the construction of new homes across Lanark and Frontenac counties. We will continue to work with our municipal partners to build for the future and keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario.&rdquo;<\/p><p>The following municipalities in <span>Lanark and Frontenac counties<span><span> are receiving MHIP-HSWS funding:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><ul>\t<li><span><span><span><strong><span><span><span>Town of Smiths Falls (Lanark County)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span><span><span> &mdash; $13,306,867 to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span>support the Smiths Falls trunk watermain upgrade and sewer separation, improving water system reliability and service for 1,380 existing homes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><strong><span><span><span>Township of North Frontenac (Frontenac County)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span><span><span> &mdash; $1,022,000 to support the rehabilitation, repair and expansion of the stormwater management system in the Village of Plevna, enhancing resilience and protecting 35 homes. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>&ldquo;As we continue to navigate economic uncertainty, our government is protecting Ontario by investing in critical infrastructure that <span><span>builds stronger and more resilient communities,&rdquo; said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. &ldquo;Through our historic $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are supporting municipalities <\/span><\/span><span><span>and First Nations <\/span><\/span><span><span>with the funding they need to expand and improve aging water systems, unlock more housing and<\/span><\/span><span><span> lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across Ontario.&rdquo;<\/span><\/span><\/p><p>In January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1005610\/ontario-investing-in-the-success-of-rural-communities\"><span>Ontario announced an initial investment of $175 million<\/span><\/a><span> to launch the MHIP-HSWS. With <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1006933\/ontario-investing-700-million-in-critical-water-infrastructure-to-protect-communities-and-support-housing\"><span>additional funding of $700 million announced in January 2026<\/span><\/a><span>, Ontario&rsquo;s investment in the MHIP-HSWS now totals $875 million. <\/span><\/p><p>&ldquo;Our local communities are grateful for continued investments that protect critical infrastructure while supporting local jobs and the economy,&rdquo; said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark&mdash;Frontenac&mdash;Kingston. &ldquo;Through the Health and Safety Water Stream, our government is ensuring residents and businesses have access to safe and reliable water systems. Investments like these are essential to supporting growing communities and strengthening them for the future<span>.<\/span><span><span><span>&rdquo;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span><span><span><span>Since 2024, Ontario has invested over $98 million<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span><span><span><span>in Lanark and Frontenac counties, as well as the City of Kingston, through the MHIP, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/ontario-community-infrastructure-fund\"><span>Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span> and the Building Faster Fund<span>, representing one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region&rsquo;s history. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Ontario Investing More Than $14 Million for Housing-Enabling Infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac Counties","language":"en","ministry_acronym_opposite":"cpm","ministry_id":216,"ministry_acronym":"OPO","ministry_name":"Premier's Office","ministry_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","lead_ministry":{"id":216,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"OPO","acronym_fr":"CPM","featured_story_boost":1179136,"name":"Premier's Office","name_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","name_fr":"Cabinet du premier ministre","name_fr_abbreviated":"Cabinet du premier ministre","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007425,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[{"id":227,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"MOI","acronym_fr":"INF","featured_story_boost":109227,"name":"Ministry of Infrastructure","name_abbreviated":"Infrastructure","name_fr":"Minist\u00e8re de l'Infrastructure","name_fr_abbreviated":"Infrastructure","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007425,"ministry_id":227,"lead_ministry_flag":0}}],"release_date_time":"2026-05-08 11:06:00","release_date_time_formatted":"May 08, 2026","release_id_translated":1007425,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"ontario-investing-more-than-14-million-for-housing-enabling-infrastructure-in-lanark-and-frontenac-counties","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"ontario_investing_more_than_14_million_for_housing_enabling_infrastructure_in_lanark_and_frontenac_counties","unformatted_slug_translated":""},{"cache":"2026-05-10 10:36:50","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.1871219135802469,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.812878086419753,"id":1007413,"content_body":"<p><span><span><span><span><span>Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Shawn Pankow, Mayor of Smiths Falls, and Gerry Lichty, Mayor of North Frontenac, to provide remarks and hold a media availability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Premier Ford to Hold a Press Conference","language":"en","ministry_acronym_opposite":"cpm","ministry_id":216,"ministry_acronym":"OPO","ministry_name":"Premier's Office","ministry_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","lead_ministry":{"id":216,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"OPO","acronym_fr":"CPM","featured_story_boost":1179136,"name":"Premier's Office","name_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","name_fr":"Cabinet du premier ministre","name_fr_abbreviated":"Cabinet du premier ministre","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007413,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"release_date_time":"2026-05-07 15:15:00","release_date_time_formatted":"May 07, 2026","release_id_translated":1007413,"release_type_id":2002,"release_type_name":"Media Advisory","release_type_label":"advisory","slug":"premier-ford-to-hold-a-press-conference","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"premier_ford_to_hold_a_press_conference","unformatted_slug_translated":""},{"cache":"2026-05-10 10:36:50","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.39411265432098763,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.605887345679012,"id":1007396,"content_body":"<p><strong><span>TORONTO <\/span><\/strong><span>&mdash; The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of $294 million from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanofi.com\/en\/canada\"><span>Sanofi<\/span><\/a><span>, a global biopharmaceutical company, to expand its Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) in Toronto. Building on a strong foundation of more than 150 employees, the expansion of Sanofi&rsquo;s AI CoE will leverage the province&rsquo;s skilled workforce to create 50 new good-paying jobs while reinforcing Ontario&rsquo;s position as a global leader in life sciences and artificial intelligence (AI).<\/span><\/p><p>&ldquo;Our government is proud to welcome this exciting new investment and to support Sanofi as they continue expanding their footprint here in Ontario,&rdquo; said Premier Doug Ford. &ldquo;Today&rsquo;s announcement is a clear demonstration of Sanofi&rsquo;s confidence in our world-class STEM workers and ensures they will continue to play a central role as we make Ontario a global hub for the development of cutting-edge technologies.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Through this investment, Sanofi will leverage Ontario&rsquo;s deep talent pool to increase its expertise in AI, machine learning and pharmaceutical data science, accelerating the development and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to patients in Ontario and around the world. The project will also strengthen partnerships across Ontario&rsquo;s innovation ecosystem and develop the next generation of STEM talent through internship opportunities with Ontario universities. In alignment with the goals of the government&rsquo;s life sciences strategy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/taking-life-sciences-next-level-ontarios-strategy\"><em><span>Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level<\/span><\/em><\/a><span>, Ontario is supporting the expansion with up to $5 million through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investontario.ca\/\"><span>Invest Ontario<\/span><\/a><span>.<\/span><\/p><p>&ldquo;Sanofi&rsquo;s investment is a testament to Ontario&rsquo;s leadership in the AI and life sciences sectors, reinforcing our reputation as the best place to innovate, scale and succeed,&rdquo; said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. &ldquo;We look forward to seeing Sanofi continue to grow in the province, creating good-paying jobs for our workers and producing essential medicines and vaccines for Canada and the world.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Following a competitive international review, Sanofi first selected Toronto as its global AI CoE in 2022, citing its world-class AI talent, advanced digital infrastructure and globally connected life sciences ecosystem. In 2024, Sanofi further cemented its role in Ontario&rsquo;s life sciences ecosystem with the opening of Canada&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1004650\/ontario-celebrates-launch-of-canadas-largest-biomanufacturing-facility\"><span>largest biomanufacturing facility<\/span><\/a><span> in North York. <\/span><\/p><p>&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s announcement reinforces Sanofi&rsquo;s long-term commitment to investing in and growing the AI talent pipeline in Toronto and strengthening Ontario&rsquo;s position as a strategic hub for innovation,&rdquo; said Dimitrije Jankovic, Global Head of Digital Strategy and Operations at Sanofi. &ldquo;As the first AI-powered, R&amp;D-driven biopharma, Sanofi is focused on getting life-changing medicines to patients faster than ever before, and we are grateful for the partnership with the province of Ontario in driving this innovation.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Since 2018, Ontario has attracted over $222 billion in investment from international and domestic companies, with businesses creating one million new jobs. In the face of global economic uncertainty, the government has continued to introduce measures to lower costs and reduce red tape, saving businesses $12 billion a year. By fostering the conditions for companies to innovate and expand, Ontario is attracting investments like Sanofi&rsquo;s and building the strongest, most resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.<\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Ontario Welcomes $294 Million Investment in the Life Sciences Sector","language":"en","ministry_acronym_opposite":"cpm","ministry_id":216,"ministry_acronym":"OPO","ministry_name":"Premier's Office","ministry_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","lead_ministry":{"id":216,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"OPO","acronym_fr":"CPM","featured_story_boost":1179136,"name":"Premier's Office","name_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","name_fr":"Cabinet du premier ministre","name_fr_abbreviated":"Cabinet du premier ministre","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007396,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[{"id":226,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"MEDJCT","acronym_fr":"MDECEC","featured_story_boost":163349,"name":"Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","name_abbreviated":"Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","name_fr":"Minist\u00e8re du D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique, de la Cr\u00e9ation d'emplois et du Commerce","name_fr_abbreviated":"D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique, Cr\u00e9ation d'emplois et Commerce","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007396,"ministry_id":226,"lead_ministry_flag":0}}],"release_date_time":"2026-05-04 12:44:00","release_date_time_formatted":"May 04, 2026","release_id_translated":1007396,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"ontario-welcomes-294-million-investment-in-the-life-sciences-sector","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"ontario_welcomes_294_million_investment_in_the_life_sciences_sector","unformatted_slug_translated":""}]}