Ontario 2023 Budget Highlights

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Ontario 2023 Budget Highlights

On March 23, 2023, Ontario’s Minister of Finance delivered the province’s 2023 budget. Here are some of the highlights.

No Changes To Corporate or Personal Tax Rates

Budget 2023 did not change Ontario’s corporate or personal tax rates.

Corporate Tax Credits

Budget 2023 introduces a 10% refundable Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit for Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs). This tax credit applies to qualifying capital investments related to manufacturing or processing, with the goal of helping Ontario manufacturers lower their costs and become more competitive.

The budget confirms extending eligibility for Ontario’s film and television tax credits to productions distributed exclusively online.

Budget 2023 also confirms that the province will align with the federal government’s increase in the upper limit for the small-business deduction phase-out range from $15 million to $50 million. This change will take effect for taxation years beginning on or after April 7, 2022.

Consequently, the small-business deduction will only be reduced to zero once a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) and its affiliated companies have a combined taxable capital of $50 million or more.

Indirect Tax Changes

As of July 1, 2023, a single 12% tax will be applied to wine and wine coolers sold in off‐site winery retail stores. This includes wine boutiques. This tax will replace the four separate tax rates currently applied and is expected to result in an overall tax reduction of about $4 million per year.

Increasing Healthcare Options

Budget 2023 commits $200 million to help the healthcare workforce grow, including training more nurses and helping foreign-trained nurses and doctors attain accreditation in Ontario. In addition, $569 million will be spent to expand home care options.

To help address backlogs, an additional $72 million has been committed to providing OHIP-covered surgeries at community surgical and diagnostic centres.

Over three years, $425 million has been committed to mental health services.

Supporting Communities

The Guaranteed Annual Income System, designed to assist low-income seniors, is set to expand. With an increase in the private income threshold, approximately 100,000 more seniors will be eligible to benefit from the program starting July 2024. The Ontario 2023 budget includes plans to adjust the benefit annually to keep pace with inflation.

Budget 2023 contains $22 billion to build more schools and childcare spaces.

Supporting The Economy And Infrastructure

Ontario is investing an additional $3 million this year to help junior mining companies finance mineral exploration and development.

Budget 2023 commits $224 million to build and upgrade training centres in Ontario and $75 million to the Skills Development Fund over the next three years. The Skills Development Fund aims to help employers address challenges related to hiring, training or retaining workers.

Budget 2023 also includes funding to help ensure Ontario has the infrastructure it needs:

  • $27.9 billion will be spent to support highway expansion and rehabilitation project planning and construction.

  • Over the next ten years, $70.5 billion will be spent on transit, strongly emphasizing supporting GO transit and expanding the Toronto subway system.

We can help!

Wondering how the budget will impact you? Reach out to us – we’re here to answer any questions!

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2022 Ontario Budget Highlights

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Ontario 2022 Budget Highlights

On April 29, 2022, Ontario’s Minister of Finance delivered the province’s 2022 budget, based on five different pillars. 

No Changes To Corporate or Personal Tax Rates

Budget 2022 did not introduce changes to Ontario’s corporate or personal tax rates.

Rebuilding The Economy

Budget 2022 wants to help rebuild the economy as follows:

  • Almost $1 billion is committed to critical legacy infrastructure, such as all-seasons roads.

  • Creating good manufacturing jobs. In the past 18 months, 12 billion dollars have been invested in supporting new electric vehicle production and battery manufacturing.

  • Enable Ontario employers to realize an estimated $8.9 billion in cost savings by cutting taxes and lowering electricity costs.

Better Jobs and Bigger Paycheques

Another focus is on more significant paycheques and better job opportunities. To support this:

  • The general minimum wage will rise to $15.50 per hour starting October 1, 2022.

  • $1 billion will be committed annually to employment and training programs for learning new skills or upgrading existing ones. 

  • Over three years, $114.4 million has been committed to the Skilled Trades Strategy, including expanding in-class training.

  • Ontario is expanding college degree granting. Colleges can start offering new degree programs in various sectors, including the automotive industry and health care.

Building Highways and Key Infrastructure

Budget 2022 commits to: 

  • Investing $158.8 billion in crucial infrastructure over ten years, with $20 billion spent in 2022–23.

  • $25.1 billion being spent over ten years to support major highways such as the Bradford Bypass, Highway 413, Highway 401 and Highway 7.

  • $61.6 billion over ten years to support public transit. This includes expanding GO train services to London and Bowmanville and expanding passenger rail service to Northern Ontario.

Keeping Costs Down

Another focus of Budget 2022 is to help people save money:

  • Tolls will be removed on Highways 412 and 418.

  • Starting July 1, the gas tax will be cut by 5.7 cents per litre for six months.

  • License plate renewal fees will be eliminated and refunded, leading to a $120/year savings in Southern Ontario and $60/year savings in Northern Ontario.

  • $300 in additional tax relief will be available on average for 1.1 million lower-income workers via the proposed Low-income Individuals and Families Tax Credit enhancement.

  • Supporting the creation of all types of housing.

  • Working towards an average of $10-a-day child care by September 2025.

Investing in Health Care

Budget 2022 also understands the importance of continuing to invest in health care. Money is committed as follows:

  • Over $40 billion for hospitals and other health infrastructure over ten years.

  • $764 million over two years to provide nurses with a retention incentive of up to $5,000.

  • $42.5 million over two years to expand medical education and training.

  • $1 billion for in-home care over three years.

We can help!

Wondering how tax changes in this year’s budget may impact personal finances or business affairs? Reach out to us – we’re here to answer any questions you may have!

Human

Ontario Support for Families portal is LIVE!

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Today, Ontario launched the portal for parents to apply for a one-time COVID-19 payment to help offset the costs of keeping children entertained and engaged during this time away from school.

Under this new program, parents are eligible for a one-time per child payment of:

  • $200 for children aged 0 to 12

  • $250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs

Eligibility

There is no income cap on this program. All parents are eligible if you have a child who is:

  • $200 for children aged 0 to 12

  • $250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs

If you have more than one child, you must submit one application per child.

 Before you apply, please note:

  • only one parent can apply for each child

  • the parent who applies should have custody of the child

You are still eligible if you are a health care or front-line worker who is using emergency, 24-hour child care centres.

For Details and to apply