Minister of finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario on May 15. With the continued threat of U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty, this new budget outlines plans to build more resiliency within the Ontario economy by increasing competitiveness in the market, creating jobs, doing more business in the G7 and investing in other essential services.
“Our government is delivering on our mandate to protect Ontario and help workers and businesses weather the storm, while creating the long-term foundations for a strong, resilient and competitive economy,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “We’re making the investments in workers, infrastructure and services that will protect Ontario, no matter what.”
In January, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) released a pre-budget submission letter to the provincial government outlining recommended investments for the Ontario agriculture sector. Here are some of those measures that were addressed in the 2025 budget:
- Increase from $150 million to $250 million in Risk Management Program (RMP) funding annually
- A provision under “Trade Impacted Supports” that could allow for more Ontario-grown food procurement
- Introduction of a “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian” day to encourage consumers to buy local
- Funding and supported for Ontario grape growers, wineries, distilleries, cideries and microbreweries
- A $223 billion infrastructure investment plan that includes rural roads and highspeed broadband as well as increased funding for the program that funds municipal roads and bridges that connect to provincial highways
- Doubling of annual funding for the Rural Ontario Development program for the next two years
- Funding increase for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund of $30 million over three years