The province’s $244.2 billion budget increases spending in health and education, has some tax cuts and a higher-than-forecast deficit.
March 26, 2026
By Kristin Rushowy Senior Writer, Robert Benzie Queen’s Park Bureau Chief,
Rob Ferguson Queen’s Park Bureau, and Moira Welsh Queen’s Park Bureau
the Star.com
Here are 10 things you need to know about Ontario’s $244.2 billion budget, which provides modest increases in health and education spending, tax cuts for small businesses, and no new taxes — but a higher-than-forecast deficit of $13.8 billion. The highlights include:
Health and hospitals
$1.1 billion over three years for increased home and community care, serving thousands more patients plus a $1.4 billion — or four per cent — funding boost for hospitals. The Ontario Hospital Association has warned many of its members are projecting deficits as costs rise six per cent a year due to a growing population.
Education funding
Somewhere between $300 million and $400 million more annually for education over the next three school years, representing a 2.47 per cent increase from an estimated $40.5 billion this year to $41.5 billion in 2028–29; colleges and universities will receive a previously announced $6.4 billion in additional funding over four years.
Help for long-term care residents
Provides an average of four hours of daily direct care for long-term care residents from nurses or personal support workers, plus another 36 minutes from other health professionals for services such as rehabilitation, at a cost of $44.1 million.
One Fare transit plan
Extends the One Fare transit program for two more years, allowing riders to switch between systems across the Greater Toronto Area without paying additional fees. Since its introduction in 2024, the program has saved commuters $233 million, or about $1,600 a year for daily riders.
Business tax cuts
Cuts the small business corporate income tax rate to 2.2 per cent from 3.2 per cent, which will give $1.1 billion in relief to 375,000 small businesses over three years.
Help for homebuyers
Eliminates the HST on new houses and condos for buyers spending $1 million or less, a $2.2 billion joint program between the provincial and federal governments.
School police programs
More than $40 million over three years for school resource officer programs, which Education Minister Paul Calandra has said must be available in communities where police offer them, although they have proved controversial in some boards, like Toronto.
Autism funding
An additional $186 million for the Ontario Autism Program for services.
Transit security
Changes to legislation so that special constables on public transit can order those using illegal drugs to leave the premises or face charges. “These changes would keep people safe while getting around their communities,” the government said.
Buses at the Rogers Centre
Removes bus parking requirements at the Rogers Centre — dating to the 1980s construction of what was then known as the SkyDome — so valuable government land at 305 Bremner Boulevard can be sold or redeveloped.
Read the original article at theStar.com
