Ontario Ministry of Finance

TORONTO — The Ontario government is continuing to support the province's recovery from COVID-19 over the long-term while delivering on its commitment to transparency and accountability with the release of 2020-21 First Quarter Finances and an update to Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. To protect the health and economic well-being of the people of Ontario, the government continues to invest and budget for further contingencies in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, including providing support to families, businesses, workers, municipalities, long-term care homes and those on the front-lines of the pandemic. These investments bring the government's COVID-19 response action plan to a projected $30 billion, up from $17 billion announced in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 on March 25, 2020.

Since announcing the first steps in the government's response to the global pandemic on March 25, 2020, the government has made additional investments and budgeted for further contingencies in the fight against COVID-19. This includes allocating more support for people, jobs, a safe reopening, and the prevention of - or response to - a second wave. With these investments, the government's COVID-19 response action plan is now a projected $30.0 billion, up from $17 billion announced in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 on March 25, 2020.

TORONTO — The Ontario government is continuing to support the province's recovery from COVID-19 over the long-term while delivering on its commitment to transparency and accountability with the release of 2020-21 First Quarter Finances and an update to Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. To protect the health and economic well-being of the people of Ontario, the government continues to invest and budget for further contingencies in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, including providing support to families, businesses, workers, municipalities, long-term care homes and those on the front-lines of the pandemic. These investments bring the government's COVID-19 response action plan to a projected $30 billion, up from $17 billion announced in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 on March 25, 2020.

Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, will release Ontario's 2020-21 First Quarter Finances and provide an update to Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19.

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, extended the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses by one month to help eligible small business pay rent for August. To find out how much rent support you may be eligible for, visit Ontario.ca/rentassistance.

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, extended the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses by one month to help eligible small business pay rent for August. To find out how much rent support you may be eligible for, visit Ontario.ca/rentassistance.

The following individuals were convicted of offences under the Tobacco Tax Act:

The following individuals were convicted of offences under the Tobacco Tax Act:

Description of Seizures: On February 19 and 21, 2020, Ministry of Finance investigators participated in a joint operation with the Ontario Provincial Police and local police. The ministry seized 2,641,600 unmarked cigarettes. Twelve people were charged under the Tobacco Tax Act.

Description of Seizures: On January 28 and 31, 2020, Ministry of Finance investigators participated in an operation with the Ontario Provincial Police. The ministry seized 2,402,000 unmarked cigarettes and 60 kilograms of waterpipe tobacco. Seven people were charged under the Tobacco Tax Act.

Description of Seizures:  On January 24 and 25, 2020, Ministry of Finance investigators participated in an operation with the Ontario Provincial Police. The ministry seized 846,680 unmarked cigarettes, 290 cigars and 13,446 grams of other tobacco. Twelve people were charged with offences under the Tobacco Tax Act.

The following individuals were convicted of offences under the Tobacco Tax Act:

TORONTO — The Ontario government is continuing to seek advice and input from people and organizations on modernizing Ontario's Capital Markets and supporting economic growth and job creation with the posting of the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce initial consultation report.

TORONTO — The Ontario government is encouraging consumers to mark Ontario Craft Beer Week and Ontario Wine Week by supporting local beverage alcohol producers as the province takes additional steps to help the sector recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

TORONTO — All commercial landlords in Ontario can now apply for rental assistance to help their small business tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative will keep more small businesses in operation and more people employed as the province gradually and safely restarts the economy.

TORONTO — The Ontario government is enabling auto insurance companies to provide temporary insurance premium rebates to drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has amended a regulation under the Insurance Act to help ease the financial pressure on working people and families during this public health crisis.

TORONTO — During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ontario government is deferring $15 million in property taxes for people and businesses in parts of Northern Ontario located outside of municipal boundaries. This tax deferral builds on the $10 billion in cash flow supports made available to people and businesses as part of Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19.

TORONTO — Today, Finance Minister Rod Phillips released Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 (March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update).

TORONTO — Today, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance issued the following statement in response to the impact of COVID-19 on Ontario's finances and economy:

TORONTO — Today, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, announced that the government will release its 2020 Ontario Budget on March 25. The Minister will share the next steps in the government's plan to ensure every person in Ontario has the opportunity to grow and prosper.