2026 Ontario budget protects people, services, says Huron-Bruce MPP

Ontario finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, Thursday, delivering on the provincial government's plan to protect the people and services in Ontario.

That's the word from Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, minister of rural affairs in a press release, issued Thursday, stating that 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’s Tax Action Plan.

The 2026 budget furthers the government’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’s long-term prosperity.

"Under the leadership of premier Doug Ford and minister Bethlenfalvy, Ontario's 2026 budget delivers a responsible and forward-thinking plan that protects the people and services we rely on today, while building a stronger, more resilient economy for the future," said Thompson. "Ontario’s prudent plan does not raise taxes or cut services, and Ontario is one of the only provinces that retains a path to balance. Through targeted investments in health care, infrastructure and education, along with meaningful tax relief for families and businesses, our government is ensuring Huron-Bruce and communities across Ontario remain competitive, affordable and positioned for long-term success."

“Ontario is navigating economic challenges with a pragmatic and prudent fiscal plan,” said Bethlenfalvy. “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’s economy.”

The government’s approach maintains a path to balance as part of its fiscal plan. The 2026 budget 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.

Highlights of the 2026 Ontario budget include:
 

• Ontario being committed to advancing the first large-scale nuclear facilities in Ontario for more than 30 years, including Bruce Power's Bruce "C" project as a cornerstone of Ontario's clean energy future – supporting the development of up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear capacity while driving economic growth, strengthening local supply chains, and creating thousands of good-paying jobs that will directly benefit small businesses and families across Huron-Bruce and the broader Clean Energy Frontier region.
• Delivering on the province’s Tax Action Plan to make Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 and lower costs by 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 of 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.
• Ensuring Ontario’s small businesses continue to stay competitive and resilient by proposing to cut the small business corporate income tax (CIT) rate to 2.2 per cent from 3.2 per cent, effective July 1, 2026. By cutting the rate by more than 30 per cent, more than 375,000 Ontario small businesses would benefit from an additional $1.1-billion in CIT relief over the next three years.
• 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.
• 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’s long-term economic and strategic priorities.
• 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.
• Expanding Ontario’s four-year investment in the Primary Care Action Plan to $3.4-billion from 2025-29, furthering the province’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.
• 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 2026–27. This includes building highways, hospitals, transit and community infrastructure to keep workers on the job, strengthen Ontario’s economy and ensure communities thrive for generations to come.
• 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’s investments through the program now total $500-million.
• 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.
• 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.
• In January, 2026, the government announced the launch of its second intake of the Rural Ontario Development Program. This $20-million program provides cost-shared funding to help strengthen the economies of rural communities, protect jobs, improve infrastructure and create strong businesses.
• Ontario is also continuing to support the financial sustainability of small, northern and rural municipalities across the province by enhancing the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund through an increase to the program of $100-million over two years and bringing the total funding envelope to $600-million annually. The funding will help municipalities provide critical services, from public transit and libraries to emergency services and road maintenance.
• Ontario is investing an additional $15-million over three years, starting in 2026-27, in the Ontario Transit Investment Fund. This investment will double the program funding to $30-million over three years to support the start-up and growth of transit service in rural communities.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
 

• Read the 2026 budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
• Read the highlights of 2026 budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
• Read the Backgrounder: Economic and Fiscal Overview