Ontario Chamber: Budget 2026 must strengthen Ontario’s economic edge

(Toronto – March 19, 2026) – As Ontario prepares to table its 2026 Budget, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has released its budget submission, calling on the government to build on the province’s strong economic foundations through bold, growth-enabling investment and structural reform. 

“Ontario has strong economic foundations, but they are being tested,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Global trade is more volatile, competition for investment is intensifying, and uncertainty is holding businesses back from investing in themselves and their people. Budget 2026 must turn Ontario’s foundations into a platform for action by making and incentivizing investments in productivity, competitiveness and growth.”

Drawing on input from businesses and chambers across Ontario, the submission outlines a focused set of priorities to address the growing gap between Ontario’s economic potential, and the conditions businesses face on the ground. The OCC shared its recommendations with the Ministry of Finance in January, and Tisch met recently with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy to discuss the submission.

Highlights of the OCC’s recommendations include:

• Strengthening business competitiveness and investment by prioritizing tax credits and exemptions that attract and incentivize investment in technology, productivity and scaling up, and leveraging procurement to anchor high-value investment and intellectual property in Ontario.
• Expanding and diversifying Ontario’s talent pipeline by growing employer participation in work-integrated learning, prioritizing investments in skills, and leveraging recent post-secondary investments to meet labour shortages in growth industries.
• Supporting healthy and productive communities by modernizing health data systems, accelerating access to innovative treatments and mental health services and investing in arts, culture and tourism to spur year-round local economic activity.
• Building growth-enabling infrastructure by integrating housing, energy, and digital infrastructure planning with predictable funding models.  

“For Ontario, this is an historic moment, filled with both uncertainty and opportunity,” Tisch added. “To strengthen our economy, Budget 2026 must help businesses move from managing risk to competing for growth.” 

Read the full submission here.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities. 

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255