The 2026 Ontario budget is expected to bring a range of benefits to the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock region, according to local MPP Laurie Scott.
Scott pointed to continued investments in healthcare, education, housing, and small business support as key highlights, noting the province is working to address growing demands across multiple sectors.
In healthcare, Scott said funding increases are already being felt locally. The province is allocating $3.4 billion toward primary care, with the goal of connecting more residents to family doctors or primary care teams. Scott said the region has already seen some success in recruiting both family and emergency physicians, along with expanded healthcare services.
“We continue to look into helping hospitals and keep up with the ever-increasing cost that exists,” she said.
According to Scott, plans are also in place for significant investments in home and extended care in the region, including the addition of more long-term care beds.
Support for small businesses is another major component of the budget. The province is proposing to reduce the Ontario small business corporate income tax rate from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, effective July 1. The more than 30 per cent cut is expected to deliver $1.1 billion in tax relief to over 375,000 small businesses across Ontario over the next three years.
“The big thing locally that will really ripple out is the 30 per cent small business tax cut -that’s going to really help our small businesses,” Scott said. “I’m hoping we attract more businesses to our area, as we can support them and they create jobs locally.”
Housing affordability is another focus of the budget. The province is proposing a temporary enhancement to HST relief for new homes by removing the full eight per cent provincial portion for eligible buyers on homes valued up to $1 million.
Scott said the move is expected to create jobs, stimulate home construction, and ease pressure on the rental market.
“It’s that ever-evolving circular market of more rentals become available as more people move into houses,” she said.
In education, the budget includes funding that will allow teachers in the region to access additional money for classroom supplies, giving them flexibility to address specific needs.
Locally, the Ministry of Education has also approved a new outdoor education and Indigenous centre in Minden, representing a significant investment for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board. Scott said the facility will support outdoor learning opportunities and could be shared with other school boards.
“The Trillium Lakelands District School Board has done a great job in their investments and projections,” she said.
Scott emphasized the importance of collaboration between communities and the province to drive economic growth and support local needs.
“It’s about working together with all our communities in the uncertain times that we’re in and saying, ‘what incentives do you need?’” she said.
Overall, Scott said the 2026 Ontario budget allows the municipality to maintain their focus on healthcare, education, and economic development as priorities for the region.
