From choppers for cops to new teacher spots, the record-breaking $232.5 billion Ontario budget unveiled Thursday also features a number of programs to help tariff-battered businesses and workers. As a point of national pride, the province is also introducing a new “buy” day to promote Ontario and Canadian-made products.
Here are the highlights:
- A $5 billion “Protecting Ontario Account” to help businesses withstand the impact from U.S tariffs.
- Two new H-135 helicopters at a cost of $57 million — one each for the Niagara Regional Police Service and the Windsor Police Service — for increased border patrols and security. Last year, the province spent $135 million for five helicopters for the Toronto-area and Ottawa, bringing the total number of “Joint Air Support Unit” choppers to seven.
- A $1 billion training and skilled trades investment for programs run by unions or other businesses and associations, plus a new $20 million fund for retraining and supports for laid off workers, including those who lose their jobs because of U.S. tariffs. An additional $40 million “Trade Impacted Communities Program” is intended for struggling municipalities.Â
- The last Friday in June will be designated a “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day” — just before Canada Day on July 1 — to encourage purchases from local businesses and workers as part of a broader push by Premier Doug Ford to boost interprovincial trade.Â
- A $175 million Ontario Grape Support Program to help fruit farmers and wineries to double the percentage of Ontario grapes in blended wine. Up to $35 million will be available each year over five years.
- Weed grown and processed in the province will be marked with a new “Ontario Grown,” intended for cannabis products with at least 75 per cent Ontario content.
- An additional $92 million — for a total of more than $180 million — to increase EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure, including more public charging stations with a focus on underserved areas, as part of Ontario’s EV ChargeOn program.
- Amid a province-wide teacher shortage, $55.8 million over two years to train 2,600 new educators.
- Victim Services º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøReclaim Project, which works with banks and other agencies to help survivors of human trafficking erase fraudulent and coerced debt, will receive $1 million over three years. In 2023, the province amended the Consumer Reporting Act to outlaw collection of any such debt following a successful application. Such debt can include loans, cellphone purchases and hotel room bills.
- The final item in the 232-page budget is a new bill that will allow cabinet ministers to continue to use and be referred to as “Honourable,” even after they leave office. Currently, in Canada, provincial ministers typically use the term while in office, while prime ministers, senators and chief justices can be referred to as “Right Honourable” for life.
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