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Peter Bethlenfalvy Nov 6 2025

Ford government says still on track to balance the budget by 2028

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The province’s Finance Minister is calling it a Plan to Protect Ontario.

Peter Bethlenfalvy released an economic statement that includes measures designed to combat the impact of U.S. trade tariffs.

It includes the development of a Tax Action Plan that updates provincial personal and corporate income taxes to encourage more business investment.

An extra $100 million is being put into the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF), designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises diversify into new markets.

There is also additional help for Ontario manufacturers and processors, with the Ford government proposing to enhance the tax credit rate from 10% to 15% and expand eligibility to the credit as a non-refundable version to corporations that are not Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs).

The province is also preparing to release additional funding through the $5 billion Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP).

One billion dollars went this year to businesses directly impacted by higher tariff rates placed on steel, aluminum, and copper and the auto sector.

Bethlenflavy notes that nearly $30 billion in relief and support have already been issued.

“In this year alone, our government is enabling $11.5 billion in financial relief for people and families and $11.7 billion in cost savings for businesses, including $5.6 billion of which would go directly to helping small businesses,” says Bethlenfalvy.

“And we’re going to keep going, keep finding more ways to lower taxes and fees and drive our economy.”

Statistics Canada says more than 700,000 people in Ontario are unemployed.

The economic statement projects the province will see 70,000 new jobs by the end of the year, but offers little in new initiatives to help those looking for work.

Bethlenfalvy says that is because the province reacted quickly to address the job loss.

“$30 billion of tariff supports, $9 billion in deferrals, $2 billion of WSIB rebates that are flowing to businesses so they can stay open. They can meet payroll and compete,” says Bethlenfalvy.

Bethlenfalvy says their approach will still help the province bring forward a balanced budget by 2028.

“We can maintain our commitment to balance, but at the same time, our commitment to grow the economy, to invest in infrastructure, to invest in workers, and continue to provide world-class services and invest in social infrastructure.”

A deficit of $13.5 billion for the 25-26 fiscal year is predicted, an improvement of $1.1 billion from the outlook published in the 2025 budget.

The government expects the deficit to be cut in half the following year before enjoying a slight surplus in 2027-28.

NAN Flag

NAN says federal budget weakens Treaty commitments

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Leaders with Nishnawbe Aski Nation say the federal government’s new budget weakens Treaty commitments and undermines progress toward closing major gaps in housing, infrastructure, and health across Northern Ontario.

The comments come during Treaties Recognition Week, with NAN leadership gathering for their Fall Assembly in Thunder Bay.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said the budget “offered little comfort” for First Nations, pointing out that funding for Indigenous Services and Crown–Indigenous Relations has been reduced, without clarity on where those cuts will fall.

“Treaties Recognition Week should be a time to honour the sacred agreements that built this country,” said Fiddler. “Instead, we are watching those commitments weaken — in Parliament, in budgets, and on the lands our ancestors protected for all future generations.”

NAN leaders say shifting funding from long-term investments to short, year-to-year cycles will make it harder to plan and sustain community development.

They also raised concerns about resource and infrastructure projects moving ahead in their territory without proper consultation.

“We are not opposed to development, but that means truly together — not us left behind while others drive through our lands toward their own prosperity,” said Eabametoong First Nation Chief Solomon Atlookan.

Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor added that Canada “cannot write its own future based on the erosion of our rights and our lands,” noting many communities still struggle with unsafe water, housing shortages, and limited road access.

NAN is calling on both the federal and provincial governments to uphold their constitutional and Treaty obligations, and to work in true partnership with First Nations.

Fiddler says closing the gaps that keep northern communities from sharing equally in Canada’s prosperity must be prioritized ahead of profit.

grayscale photo of car wheel

Survey shows Ontario drivers making switch to winter tires

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If you haven’t switched to winter tires, you may want to add it to your to-do list.

After all, Environment Canada is forecasting periods of snow to reach the region on Thursday, which could cause some slippery driving conditions.

However, switching over to winter tires will also add you to the growing number of people doing just that.

According to a new Probe Research survey commissioned by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), 77 per cent of Ontario drivers are now using winter tires.

While that number shows people are making safety a priority, the national figure stands at 80 per cent, which is a two per cent jump over last year.

“This is a 12-point increase over the past decade,” says Michal Majernik, communications manager with TRAC. “The government, the road safety groups, the tire manufacturers – the safety messaging has been doing the job and Canadians are getting the message.”

Majernick also says climate change has been playing a role in more people using winter tires, with the report showing three-quarters of drivers (76 per cent) stating extreme winter weather events related to Canada’s changing climate have made winter tires more important than ever.

“There are these strange freak weather events that occasionally happen and if you get caught in it unprepared, you might end up in trouble,” says Majernick. “Winter tires are always the safest option for Canadian drivers.”

While the survey results suggested that safety is a priority among Canadians, the study also showed 32 per cent of drivers are less likely to buy winter tires because of current financial burdens and the rising cost of living.

In Ontario, 26 per cent of drivers say they are still deterred from making the switch to winter tires due to the cost.

Doctor consults with patient via video call.

Virtual healthcare on the rise in rural regions of Ontario

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More rural Ontarians will soon be turning to more virtual means of healthcare in the future.

According to the medical director at Dialogue, Canada’s largest employer-funded virtual healthcare platform, more than half a million rural residents in Ontario do not have a primary care provider, which is causing a “healthcare crisis” in more remote regions of the province.

“This is publicly available data,” says Dr. Marc Robin about the figure from a recent report published by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA). “We know that there’s about 2-and-a-half million people out there that don’t have a family doctor and out of that group, about 525,000 in the rural areas don’t have access to a primary care provider.”

However, Dr. Robin says that figure is offset by the fact that ten million Canadians do have access to employer-funded virtual care, which makes the online option a growing and integral part of the healthcare system.

He adds he expects even more people will turn to virtual care as family physicians begin to retire in rural regions of Ontario.

A recent study found 1.74 million Ontario patients were attached to a doctor aged 65 or older, which is typically considered retirement age.

“People expect access to healthcare the same way they access their banking in some ways,” says Dr. Robin. “So it is really important that the healthcare system can meet people where they are and the best way to find them is on their smartphone.”

Large pipeline runs through a wooded, mountainous landscape

Oil/gas pipeline feasibility study now underway

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The provincial government has awarded a contract to complete a feasibility study on new oil and gas pipelines.

The proposed pipelines would flow oil and gas from western Canada to refineries in southern Ontario.

The study will also look at the possibility of lines going to new ports on James Bay, Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes.

It will also evaluate other development opportunities, such as all-season roads to the Ring of Fire mining area, mineral exports, hydro transmission grid upgrades and a strategic petroleum reserve.

“This nation-building pipeline and energy corridor will unite our country and help unlock new markets for Canada’s energy resources that will reduce our dependence on the United States, all while creating new jobs and opportunities for Canadian workers from coast to coast to coast,” states Premier Doug Ford in a release.

Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan signed agreements this summer to consider the project.

“Access to domestic and international markets is critical for Saskatchewan’s export-oriented economy,” states Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

“An East-West energy corridor is important for our province and for all Canadians, driving economic growth and delivering responsibly produced Canadian energy products to new markets.”

“Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are proving what’s possible when provinces lead and stand together to advance a shared vision of responsible development, economic freedom and common sense,” states Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

“That means standing up for our energy sector and ensuring our world-class resources reach the markets that need them, so Canadians can prosper from the opportunities we create here at home.”

A final report is expected to be issued sometime next year.

a pile of pistachio nuts sitting on top of a table

Salmonella outbreak sees pistachio products pulled off shelves in Ontario

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Pistachios sold in Ontario have come under the microscope amid an ongoing salmonella scare.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for various pistachio and pistachio-related products across the province.

According to a release from the CFIA, East India brand green pistachios, Konscious Kitchen paleo and vegan pistachio bars and raw pistachio kernels from Enayat Farms and have been recalled.

The CFIA notes that “each of those companies are responsible for some, but not necessarily all, of the recalled products.”

The food inspection agency warns the recall also impacts bulk vegan pistachios sold from May 28 to June 5, which are distributed to hotels and restaurants but not sold directly to the public.

The warning advises people not to eat, sell or distribute recalled pistachios and related products.

Salmonella poisoning can cause fever, headache, nausea and abdominal cramps in healthy individuls while young children, pregnant women, seniors and those with weakened immune systems could contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

The latest recall comes as the CFIA continues an ongoing nationwide investigation involving an outbreak of salmonella related to pistachio products across various provinces.

person holding yellow and white pen

Ontario medical authority urges vaccination ahead of alarming flu season

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An organization representing the province’s physicians is calling for all Ontario residents to get vaccinated this fall.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is warning we could see a record-breaking flu season, partly due to rising numbers of people avoiding immunization.

OMA president Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman says the reasoning behind the prediction is the number of infections seen in Australia earlier this year.

“We always look to Australia and surrounding areas because they experience the season ahead of us,” she says. “Those similar trends are often predictive of what we’ll be seeing here and they had another record-breaking season from influenza infections and seeing the complications of that.”

In a release, OMA noted that Australia recorded more than 410,000 lab-confirmed flu cases this year — surpassing the previous high of 365,000 in 2024.

“That is why we are really pressing hard in terms of pushing for everyone to be vaccinated and be prepared for this winter,” adds Dr. Abdurrahman.

She says OMA calls on all Ontarians to take advantage of the free flu and COVID vaccinations made available to all residents as of this past Monday.

While vaccines are available to all members of the public through pharmacies, family doctors, and public health units, Dr. Abdurrahman encourages residents to talk to their doctor if they have any concerns.

“Unfortunately, we know that there is a lot of misinformation that is online,” says Dr. Abdurrahman. “So we really want to ensure that people can have these conversations with someone that they trust.”

point-lepreau-nuclear-generating-station

New Brunswick, Ontario enter nuclear support partnership

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The only provinces operating nuclear power plants entered an agreement Friday to improve performance at the Point Lepreau generating station.

New Brunswick Energy Minister René Legacy was joined by his Ontario counterpart Stephen Lecce to make the agreement.

“New Brunswick and Ontario are known across Canada and around the world for their accomplishments in nuclear power generation,” Legacy said. “This partnership will bolster that reputation and, more importantly, allow our two provinces to strengthen a promising working relationship.”

The support services agreement was signed between NB Power and Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation.

Under the agreement, Laurentis will provide expertise to improve performance at Point Lepreau. This will consist of:

  • performance benchmarking and excellence planning
  • structured performance oversight
  • on-site support and collaboration
  • flexible support services
  • personnel development

Lecce said the partnership will help New Brunswick ensure energy reliability for NB Power customers, and reinforce Ontario’s position as Canada’s clean energy engine.

“Ontario is proud to lead the world in nuclear excellence – and we’re now exporting that expertise to help New Brunswick succeed,” he said.

Legacy said by strengthening this nuclear alliance, New Brunswick and Ontario can eliminate another interprovincial wall and play a key role in supporting energy needs at home and across Canada.

fraser-bail

Federal government announces sweeping bail and sentencing reforms

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Canada’s federal government is moving to tighten bail and sentencing laws, with Justice Minister Sean Fraser unveiling what he called the most sweeping criminal law reforms in years.

The new Bail and Sentencing Reform Act introduces more than 80 changes to the Criminal Code, focused on keeping repeat and violent offenders behind bars longer while giving police and courts stronger tools to protect the public.

“Today is about stronger laws and safer communities,” Fraser said. “We’re making bail harder to get for violent and repeat offenders, while also strengthening sentencing and supporting prevention.”

One of the biggest changes is an expanded use of reverse onus at bail.

That means for serious offences — such as home invasion, violent auto theft, human smuggling, extortion, or repeat assaults — detention will be the starting point.

The accused would have to prove they should be released. Fraser said the goal isn’t to jail more people, but to better protect communities: “It’s to detain dangerous people who pose a risk to public safety.”

Judges would have to consider whether crimes involved random or unprovoked violence, if the accused has other charges pending, and whether strict conditions — such as weapons bans — are needed.

The bill also proposes tougher sentencing rules.

Offenders could face consecutive prison terms for violent auto theft combined with break and enter, or for repeat violent crimes, meaning they would serve one sentence after another instead of at the same time. “If you’re sentenced to two years for one crime and four for another, we believe you should serve six,” Fraser said.

Other measures would make sentences harsher for crimes against first responders, retail theft, or damage to essential infrastructure. The bill would also remove house arrest for certain sexual and child-related offences and restore driving bans for serious negligent driving cases.

Fraser said the reforms were developed with input from police, provinces, and community groups. “Although we as the federal government may hold the pen when it comes to changing Canada’s criminal laws, it’s the provinces who have the responsibility to administer the system,” he said, adding that cooperation has been “extraordinary.”

He also stressed that stronger laws must be matched by prevention — including more RCMP and border officers, mental health and housing investments, and youth programs to address the roots of crime.

When asked about concerns over court delays, Fraser said a separate bill is coming this fall to speed up trials, protect victims, and address intimate partner and sexual violence.

“People are afraid, and I understand why,” he said. “They see repeat offenders going in and out of the system and random violence in their neighbourhoods. We can’t accept this — not in Canada.”

The proposed legislation now heads to Parliament, where Fraser says the government will continue working with provinces, police, and justice officials to ensure the new measures lead to safer streets and stronger public confidence in the justice system.

black laptop computer on brown wooden table

Organization inches closer to creating Dryden’s first warming centre

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A community-based organization is hoping to establish Dryden’s very first warming shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

The Dryden Warmth Project is a grassroots initiative, supported by the not-for-profit Dryden Wilderness Trail, aimed at providing comfort to unhoused people in the city.

“We just started the crowdfunding last spring actually and then, with our media campaign lately this fall, it started to take off,” says Lynda Ménard-Penner, chair of the Dryden Warmth Project committee, which has been fundraising for the ambitious project over the past year.

“It’s a very difficult thing to put in place just all of a sudden,” says Ménard-Penner about establishing Dryden’s first warming centre. “That’s why we decided that, as we raise funds, we’ll just start small and we’ll just grow and expand.”

As a result, the committee has focused primarily on raising funds through crowd-sourcing on the Internet, targeting the project through a three-phase strategy.

“Our first stage is what we’re hoping to open this fall, which is a drop-in space a few nights week that serves hot beverages, snacks, warmth, access to washrooms,” explains Ménard-Penner.

“Our second stage is to open this seven days a week (with) our third stage to launch this full-time and then our future possibility, because you always have to dream, is to have a central multiservice hub where there is support given for employment, housing, post treatment recovery and this kind of thing.”

Ménard-Penner says the group is still trying to secure a location in Dryden however the project continues to raise funds through its Go Fund Me page to launch the part-time warming centre as soon as possible.

“Every little bit helps,” says Ménard-Penner about continued contributions from members of the community. “It’s also encouraging to get people’s comments and the support behind it. That’s what is really heartwarming.”

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