Published • loading... • Updated
Ontario Posts Deficit as Health Care, Education Spending Surges
Health spending rose $6.2 billion and education spending increased $2.3 billion, helping push total program spending to $220.9 billion.
- Ontario reported a $13 billion deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year, outperforming the $14.6 billion projection from the 2025 Budget as spending on health care, education and infrastructure climbed to historic levels.
- Program spending increased by $10 billion, driven by Health-care investments rising $6.2 billion to $97.5 billion and Education funding growing $2.3 billion to $40.1 billion.
- The province recorded $223.3 billion in total revenue, bolstered by stronger-than-expected tax revenues and government business enterprises, while debt servicing charges fell $747 million below the 2025 Budget forecast.
- Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy described the results as a "balanced fiscal approach," while Treasury Board President Kinga Surma emphasized the government's efforts to build a resilient, competitive economy.
- Premier Doug Ford's government is expected to release the 2026 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, commonly known as the Fall Economic Statement, on or before Nov. 15.
Insights by Ground AI
18 Articles
18 Articles
Ontario deficit smaller than expected, watchdog warns of spending gaps
TORONTO – Ontario is falling behind on the spending needed to keep up with demands in health care, schools, colleges and universities, the province’s budget watchdog is warning, even as Queen’s Park touts a smaller-than-expected deficit from its latest budget year.
·Sudbury, Canada
Read Full Article
Ontario deficit of $13B is a little better than initially projected, province says
Ontario says its deficit is slightly better than initially projected. The province released the public accounts report for 2025-26 that shows the deficit at $13 billion, compared to the $14.6 billion projected in the 2025 budget.
·Ottawa, Canada
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left12Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
C 23%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
