NDP: Tomorrow's budget must strengthen Ontario for the months and years ahead

QUEEN’S PARK – Ahead of the 2025 Budget, Marit Stiles, the Leader of the Official Opposition NDP is calling on the Premier to meet this moment of growing uncertainty and economic threats with urgency and real solutions that strengthen Ontario.

“This budget is a test of whether this government will choose to strengthen Ontario and build a tariff-proof future over vanity projects and delaying critical infrastructure projects, and whether they’ll take a united approach to deliver the reassurance, relief and results Ontarians need right now.”

Throughout the session, the Official Opposition has brought forward real solutions to get nation-building projects off the ground, create good union jobs, keep people working, and support tariff-exposed industries.

“Ontarians expect a budget that’s focused on making life more affordable,” said Jessica Bell, Shadow Minister for Finance. “We need a plan that invests in homes, hospitals, schools, and keeps Ontario businesses thriving and people working in the months and years ahead.”

“This is about the parent wondering how much they must cut back their spending this summer. The nurse pulling back-to-back shifts in a hospital that’s short-staffed. The autoworker worried they could be laid off,” said Stiles.

The NDP will be watching Thursday’s budget for:

1. Accelerating public infrastructure projects — hospitals, schools, affordable housing so Ontario can address social challenges and spur job creation.
2. Investing in training and apprenticeships to build a resilient workforce.
3. A serious economic plan to grow Ontario’s economy, strengthen local supply chains, and bolster efforts to find new markets for Ontario goods and services.
4. A plan to protect jobs and implement tough measures to stop jobs and manufacturing from leaving the province.
5. Real income supports for workers and emergency funding for tariff-exposed industries

“Budget 2025 needs to look after people in this moment, and strengthen Ontario for the months and years ahead,” added Stiles.