Ontario Ministry of Finance

Ontario is seeking input from individuals, organizations and businesses in Hamilton to help shape policies and programs that will be part of Ontario's 2017 Budget.

For the third year in a row, Ontario is launching Budget Talks, an online consultation tool that allows the public to help shape policies and programs that will be part of Ontario's future. 

The province is building Ontario up for everyone by introducing legislation that would make housing more affordable, strengthen consumer protection, and support economic growth.

Ontario will help more people purchase their first home through a proposal to double the maximum Land Transfer Tax refund to $4,000 for eligible first-time homebuyers, as of January 1, 2017.

Ontario will help more people purchase their first home through a proposal to double the maximum Land Transfer Tax refund for eligible first-time homebuyers to $4,000. The proposed increase is detailed in the 2016 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review presented today by Finance Minister Charles Sousa. The increase would be effective January 1, 2017 and mean that eligible homebuyers in Ontario would pay no Land Transfer Tax on the first $368,000 of the cost of their first home.

Starting today, 67 grocery stores across Ontario can sell both domestic and imported wine, as well as beer and cider, increasing convenience and choice for consumers.

Ontario has nominated George L. Cooke as the new Chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). 

Today Minister of Finance Charles Sousa issued the following statement:

The government of Ontario and Bedrock Industries Group (Bedrock) today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the restructuring of U.S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC), which remains in court-supervised creditor protection proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). The MOU is an important step toward the completion of a restructuring intended to protect jobs, the ongoing operations at USSC's Hamilton and Lake Erie facilities, pensions and post-employment benefits for active and retired USSC employees. In reaching this MOU, the province has worked closely with the court-appointed monitor and kept other stakeholders informed throughout the process.

Ontario has selected the first grocers that could sell both domestic and imported wine inside up to 70 grocery stores across the province, increasing convenience and choice for consumers. 

Ontario has dedicated $3.2 billion from the sale of Hydro One shares in 2015 to the Trillium Trust, a fund for infrastructure projects that will help create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Today the Ontario government released the 2016-17 First Quarter Finances. The report confirms Ontario is on track to balance the budget next year, in 2017-18, which will also continue to lower the province's debt-to-GDP ratio.

Today, Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Finance, and Indira Naidoo-Harris, Associate Minister of Finance, issued the following statement: 

Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, has nominated Bonnie Brooks as the new Chair of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). Subject to confirmation by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the appointment would be effective August 28, 2016. 

Ontario is helping businesses grow while increasing consumer convenience by allowing wine, beer and spirits manufacturers to have a bar or restaurant at each of their licensed manufacturing sites. 

Ontario is offering a new and convenient way to buy alcohol products by introducing online sales through LCBO.com.

The Ministers responsible for capital markets regulation in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Yukon, and the Minister of Finance of Canada, have chosen the Capital Markets Regulatory Authority's initial board of directors and set new timelines for implementing the Authority.

Ontario is modernizing the auto insurance system to allow for coverage of ride-sharing services in order to better protect drivers and consumers. 

Ontario is working to improve the management of broader public sector investment funds, including public sector pensions, through the creation of the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), which will provide investment management and advisory services to participating organizations in Ontario's Broader Public Sector (BPS). 

Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Finance, and Indira Naidoo-Harris, Associate Minister of Finance, have confirmed Ontario's approval of the agreement in principle to enhance the Canada Pension Plan (CPP):