{"data":[{"cache":"2026-06-25 02:15:38","ministry_boost":7.800542861732847,"freshness_boost":-6.028038580246913,"curated_boost":10.913375771605,"score":12.685880053090933,"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":"2026-06-25 02:15:38","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.09933487654320988,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.90066512345679,"id":1007662,"content_body":"<p><strong><span>TORONTO <\/span><\/strong><span>\u2014 Today, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and the Honourable Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, along with Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, announced that Toronto is receiving $1.5 billion through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) in recognition of its commitment to reducing development charges by 40 to 60 per cent, depending on the unit type, for more than three years. The funding will help build more homes and community infrastructure in the City of Toronto while advancing the province\u2019s plan to protect Ontario by investing in projects that support economic growth and keep workers on the job.<\/span><\/p><p>\u201cOur government is doing everything we can to lower costs for families, keep workers on the job and get shovels in the ground faster on new homes,\u201d said Premier Ford, \u201cCombined with our historic 13 per cent cut to the HST on new homes, today\u2019s agreement will lower the cost of building new homes by more than $200,000 in Toronto, getting more shovels in the ground and creating thousands of good-paying construction jobs in the process.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201cTogether, we\u2019re building Ontario and Canada strong,\u201d said Minister Robertson. \u201cBy partnering with Ontario, the federal government is helping speed up housing construction by lowering upfront costs and investing in housing-enabling infrastructure projects \u2014 building strong, resilient communities that boost housing supply and drive economic opportunities.\u201d<\/p><p>Toronto estimates reducing the city\u2019s development charges and investing in housing-enabling infrastructure will unlock more than 44,000 new housing units and deliver roughly $1.95 billion in relief for homebuilders. Development charge reductions in Toronto will result in approximately $83,000 in savings on the construction of a new single\/semi-detached home. These development charge reductions will take effect following approval by Toronto City Council and must remain in effect for a minimum of three years.<\/p><p>\u201cPeople should be able to afford a home in our city. Today\u2019s announcement will make that easier while creating tens of thousands of good jobs in Toronto,\u201d said Mayor Chow. \u201cThrough our strong partnership with the provincial and federal government, we\u2019re reducing the cost of building new homes and ensuring the city can keep investing in the infrastructure we need to support communities.\u201d<\/p><p>Development charge rates would be reduced as follows:<\/p><p>By 60 per cent for the following housing types:<\/p><ul>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Single and semi-detached homes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Apartments and multi-unit homes with two or more bedrooms, including condos and rental units<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Dwelling rooms.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>By 40 per cent for the following housing types:<\/p><ul>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Studio and one-bedroom apartments and multi-unit homes, including condos and rental units.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>Subject to further due diligence, the DCRP will provide the City of Toronto with up to $1.5 billion to support infrastructure projects in communities across Toronto that will unlock housing in Canada\u2019s largest city, including by:<\/p><ul>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Purchasing new buses to meet current and future ridership demand<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span>Modernizing Line 2 signalling to enable more frequent service<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span>Expanding watermains that would benefit residents in the Lower Don Lands and south Leslieville, while enabling more community growth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Delivering area-wide infrastructure improvements that address traffic congestion on St. Clair Avenue West between Keele Street and Old Weston Road<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Supporting the Liberty Village New Street project<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Reconstructing the Scarlett Road railway bridge overpass to improve safety and increase capacity<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Widening Steeles Avenue East from Tapscott Road to Ninth Line, revitalizing John Street to create a pedestrian-oriented corridor between Front Street and Stephanie Street and extending Broadview Avenue south at Eastern Avenue<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\t<li><span><span><span><span><span>Delivering a new road connection that will extend Tradewind Avenue north to Sheppard Avenue East via Bonnington Place, supporting planned growth and improving local connectivity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>In March 2026, Ontario and Canada agreed to a cost-matched structure to provide a combined $8.8 billion over 10 years for infrastructure investments in Ontario, with Canada\u2019s share of the funding flowing through the Build Communities Strong Fund. The Build Communities Strong Fund was launched by the federal government this year to accelerate infrastructure projects across the country and reduce costs. The two governments also agreed to remove the full HST on new homes from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, saving homebuyers up to $130,000 off the cost of a new home in addition to the savings realized through the DCRP.<\/p><p>As part of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, the DCRP is delivering funding over 10 years for housing-enabling infrastructure projects. Funding is being prioritized for municipalities that reduce development charges for all residential types by 30 per cent to 50 per cent or greater and maintain the reductions for at least three years.<\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Ontario and Canada Making Homes More Affordable in Toronto","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":1007662,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"release_date_time":"2026-06-23 14:30:00","release_date_time_formatted":"June 23, 2026","release_id_translated":1007662,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"ontario-and-canada-making-homes-more-affordable-in-toronto","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"ontario_and_canada_making_homes_more_affordable_in_toronto","unformatted_slug_translated":""},{"cache":"2026-06-25 02:15:38","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.16114043209876544,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.838859567901235,"id":1007656,"content_body":"<p>Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, and Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, to provide remarks and hold a media availability.<\/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":1007656,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"release_date_time":"2026-06-22 16:15:00","release_date_time_formatted":"June 22, 2026","release_id_translated":1007656,"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":"2026-06-25 02:15:38","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.22919598765432098,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.770804012345678,"id":1007640,"content_body":"<p><strong><span>GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA <\/span><\/strong><span>\u2014 Today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration and expand economic opportunities in key sectors, including energy, nuclear technology, critical minerals, mobility, automotive and electric-vehicle manufacturing, aerospace, agri-food and life sciences. <\/span><\/p><p>The agreement follows <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1007563\/ontario-launches-fortress-north-america-plan\"><span>Premier Ford\u2019s recent mission to Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/a><span> and the unveiling of Ontario\u2019s renewed plan for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/files\/2026-06\/fortress-north-america-en-2026-06-04.pdf\"><em><span>Building Fortress North America<\/span><\/em><\/a><span> by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security. <\/span><\/p><p>\u201cOntario and South Carolina have a long and successful history of collaboration, based on shared democratic values, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to build for the future,\u201d said Premier Ford. \u201cOur government has a plan to build Fortress North America and support our American partners, using Ontario\u2019s competitive advantage in affordable energy, advanced manufacturing and critical minerals. Today\u2019s agreement will help create jobs and economic opportunity for workers and families on both sides of the border.\u201d<\/p><p>Ontario and South Carolina share a close trading relationship, with total trade valued at more than $5.7 billion (CAD) in 2025, accounting for 57.6 per cent of Canada\u2019s total trade with the state. The agreement signed today will strengthen economic cooperation between the two jurisdictions by promoting cross-border collaboration, investment and economic opportunities for residents and businesses.<\/p><p>\u201cSouth Carolina has enjoyed a strong economic relationship with Ontario, benefiting businesses and families in both regions while contributing to the prosperity of both economies,\u201d said Governor McMaster. \u201cThis agreement will build on that momentum by strengthening trade and investment ties and creating new opportunities in industries that are critical to our continued success.\u201d<\/p><p>Under this agreement, Ontario and South Carolina will expand strategic cooperation in areas that are critical to both regions\u2019 economies, including energy and advanced nuclear technologies. Ontario continues to make historic investments to build and expand nuclear energy capacity, including the first small modular reactors in the G7.<\/p><p>\u201cOntario and South Carolina\u2019s trade partnership is rooted in a generational commitment to protect workers, foster economic growth and strengthen supply chains,\u201d said Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. \u201cToday\u2019s agreement intends to translate these shared values into shared successes, fortifying our government\u2019s plan to build Fortress North America while creating strategic pathways for investment in sectors of critical importance to both our economies.\u201d<\/p><p>The new MOU is part of the government\u2019s ongoing <span>plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7 by <\/span><span>strengthening ties and establishing new relationships with governments at the federal, state and local levels, as well as business leaders across the United States. Since 2023, Ontario has signed eight new economic cooperation agreements with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1004095\/ontario-and-indiana-sign-agreement-to-boost-trade-and-investment\"><span>Indiana<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1003318\/ontario-and-michigan-strengthen-economic-ties\"><span>Michigan<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1003556\/ontario-and-nevada-strengthen-economic-ties\"><span>Nevada<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1004698\/ontario-and-illinois-sign-agreement-to-boost-trade-and-investment\"><span>Illinois<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1005020\/ontario-and-new-jersey-sign-agreement-to-boost-trade-and-investment\"><span>New Jersey<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1006744\/ontario-and-maryland-strengthen-economic-ties\"><span>Maryland<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1006888\/ontario-and-new-york-sign-agreement-to-build-nuclear-energy-and-grow-economies\"><span>New York<\/span><\/a> <span>and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ontario.ca\/en\/release\/1007577\/ontario-and-pennsylvania-sign-agreement-to-increase-trade-and-cooperation-on-energy-critical-minerals-and-more\"><span>Pennsylvania<\/span><\/a><span>.<\/span><\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Ontario and South Carolina Sign Agreement to Increase Trade and Economic Cooperation","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":1007640,"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":1007640,"ministry_id":226,"lead_ministry_flag":0}}],"release_date_time":"2026-06-21 15:45:00","release_date_time_formatted":"June 21, 2026","release_id_translated":1007640,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"ontario-and-south-carolina-sign-agreement-to-increase-trade-and-economic-cooperation","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"ontario_and_south_carolina_sign_agreement_to_increase_trade_and_economic_cooperation","unformatted_slug_translated":""}]}