
Economic plan outlined Thursday
Ontario’s 2025 budget focuses on economic resilience with major investments in jobs, roads and local alcohol.
The province will spend $1 billion to expand skilled trades, $500 million for mineral processing, and offer new tax credits to help manufacturers grow.
A permanent gas tax cut and toll removal on Highway 407 East are part of a $200-billion capital plan over 10 years.
Ontario is also pouring money into the alcohol sector, pledging $175 million to boost local grape use in wine and $250 million for wineries, distilleries and breweries. The plan includes tax cuts for spirits and craft beer producers.
The government has also signed a new deal with Manitoba to make it easier to sell alcohol between provinces. Ontario will invest $425 million over several years to make local alcohol more competitive and support freer interprovincial trade.
Similar agreements have been made with Atlantic provinces as Ontario pushes for open trade across Canada.