The big numbers in Ontario’s new $244-billion budget
Come see your tax dollars at work
Premier Doug Ford released his new budget today, laying out his plans for the province. First, a spoiler: there are some numbers you won’t see in here. These include the costs of expanding Billy Bishop airport on the Toronto Islands, livestreaming bail hearings and the tunnel Ford continues to insist will totally, actually be dug underneath Highway 401. That’s not because we forgot them—the numbers simply aren’t in the document. Even in their absence, the $244-billion budget projects a whopping deficit of $13.8 billion. And that’s not even the biggest number in this list. Read on to see where all that tax money really goes.
$210 billion: The amount in the province’s 10-year capital plan, which is to be spent on highways, hospitals, transit and community infrastructure.
$64 billion: Ten years of funding for health infrastructure, most of which will go toward new capital projects to deliver 3,000 new hospital beds.
$30 billion: Funding over ten years for new and redeveloped schools and child care centres.
Related: Canadians buying a new home may soon qualify for an HST rebate
$4 billion: An infusion to the Protect Ontario Account Investment Fund, which aims to draw investment from pension funds and private capital for strategic projects.
$3.4 billion: Total funding for the Primary Care Action Plan, to help people get a family doctor or primary care provider.
$1 billion: New total funding for the Ontario Autism Program, to help children and youth access health care services.
Related: Doug Ford is doubling down on his plan to seize land to expand Billy Bishop Airport
$300 million: Six years of funds to build hockey rinks, arenas, pickleball courts and the like through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.
$139.4 million: An annual funding bump for long-term care.
$107 million: Three-year investment in the Critical Technologies Initiatives program to support new innovations, including AI.
$66 million: Annual funding to give every teacher a $750 gift card to buy school supplies.
$44.1 million: Funding to give every long-term care resident four hours of direct care from a nurse or PSW per day and 36 minutes of care from allied health professionals.
$41 million: For cops in schools, over three years.
$32.5 million: New money for the Border Security Grant, to buy municipal and First Nations police services drones, marine vessels and surveillance technology to combat cross-border crime.
$9.4 million: A three-year investment in small business enterprise centres, which provide services for entrepreneurs.
$8.3 million: For the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant program next year, to ensure that people out on bail comply with their conditions.
Anthony Milton is a freelance journalist based in Toronto specializing in long-form magazine writing. He previously worked as an assistant editor at Toronto Life, where he launched the Front Row newsletter. He regularly contributes all sorts of stories to the magazine, including deep dives on sports, business and housing as well as short-form commentary on our ever-changing city, from its obsession with cherry blossoms to its maddening NIMBYism. His work has also appeared in Maclean’s, Ricochet, TVO, the Trillium and more.
