The 2025 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review released last week contains some good news for the riding, according to Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith.
Municipal infrastructure funding
The province is increasing the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) by $50 million, bringing the total funding to $600 million for 2026. For Parry Sound-Muskoka, the program total is $31,357,800, which is an increase of $3,227,900 from 2025 to help municipalities with infrastructure costs. “It allows municipalities to provide the services that are critical to people’s everyday living, and it’s a way for us at the Province to support that,” said Smith.
Rebate for first-time homebuyers
The province also announced an HST rebate for first-time homebuyers on new homes, up to a million dollars, coupled with a similar announcement from the federal government. “So what we’re looking at is up to $130,000 of savings for eligible first-time homebuyers and we know that people trying to buy that first home are facing a bit of a barrier these day and so this really lowers the bar and I think allows more people to get over it and get into a home, so very excited about that,” said Smith.
Electricity rebate
Smith said the Ontario Electricity Rebate will also help community members, small businesses, and farm owners with affordability. He said that if they use, let’s say, 700 kWh per month, it would save about $36 per month off their electricity bill.
Fuel tax cuts
Fuel tax cuts have been made permanent. Smith said out of necessity, people need to get in their vehicles in this riding to get to work and take their kids to activities. The cut represents nine cents per litre, money that stays in people’s pockets for other things. The fuel tax cut is expected to save households roughly $115 per year.
Health care
Smith also said there is an estimated $1.1 billion over three years for home care and the Hospital to Home Program, major infrastructure investments, which this area will as the new hospitals are redeveloped in Bracebridge and Huntsville. In terms of operational funding, Smith said hospital administrators continue to file their budgets each year. “And we’re half way through a fiscal year right now, so they’re kind of in progress. Their fiscal year ends March 31st and then they’ll see how their year-end is and file a new budget for the next year. You know, we stay in close contact with all the hospitals in the region… to keep that dialogue open and hear what’s important to them.”
The environment
Smith said the province is focused on municipal investments around resiliency and efforts to make sure that infrastructure not only allows for growth, but also changes in weather events and severe storms that can result from changes in climate. “So, you know, [we’re] still very focused on that, [it’s] very much a concern for everybody,” said Smith. “I know when I talk to members of our caucus, that’s always part of the conversation. We try to take a very broad look at everything that’s going on and how all these pieces fit together.”
Fiscal deficit
Smith said the deficit is tracking “a little bit better than we had thought earlier in the year, but we still have a path to get back to balance as part of our fiscal plan.” He said a surplus is projected in 2027/2028 of about $200 million, “and again most jurisdictions in Canada do not have that path and certainly federally when we look at their deficit, they do not have that path, so while we continue to make investments in a lot of different areas that need them, and we’re in uncertain economic times right now, still that fiscal outlook, that forward outlook, in getting back to balance is really important for us.”
You can read more on the economic fall statement HERE.
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