Ontario’s 2026 budget is out and features multiple investments in and around Toronto, including billions for transit and highway projects and money for some of the city’s premier museums.
While most of the spending measures have been previously announced, they spell out exactly what infrastructure projects are planned and underway in the city.
Here’s what you need to know:
Highway expansions, tunnels and rehabilitations
Highway 413
As part of its 10-year, $210-billion capital plan, the province says it will spend $37 billion in 2026-27 to carry out the “most ambitious provincial plan in Canadian history.”
Roughly $31 billion of that money will be spent over 10 years and support the construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects.
Those include Highway 413, a new highway that will span Halton, Peel and York regions to support population growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.
Construction on the project started last summer. Once complete, it’s expected to save drivers up to 30 minutes each way on their commute.
Highway 401 tunnel
Work is underway to determine if a tunnel expressway underneath the Highway 401 is feasible. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been a vocal supporter of the plan, which he says would relieve gridlock. Fieldwork for the project is expected to begin this spring. The study will cost $9.1 million.
The province says it’s also enhancing existing 401 infrastructure to improve safety and traffic flow and support economic development through resurfacing, bridge replacements and repairs, as well as interchange improvements and ramp upgrades.
Transportation projects: completed and upcoming
The Ontario Line, the Scarborough Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension
The province is spending $63 billion over 10 years on a number of transit projects, some of which have recently opened and others that are still in the works.
The province opened the long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT last month and the Finch West LRT late last year. Those projects will serve as a preview for an even bigger slate of projects set to open in the long-term, the biggest of which is The Ontario Line.
The multi-billion dollar, 15.6-kilometre project is expected to be complete in 2031 and will run from Eglinton Avenue and Don Mills to the Exhibition GO Station when it opens.
The two other projects include the 9.2-kilometre Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the eight-kilometre Yonge North Subway Extension, both of which are expected in the next few years.
New TTC trains, refurbished GO trains
Nearly $1 billion has been earmarked to help the TTC purchase 55 new trains for Line 2. The federal government is expected to match the provincial investment. The trains will be built in Thunder Bay.
As well, $850 million is being invested to refurbish GO Transit rail cars as part of the province’s ongoing service expansion.
Northlander makes a comeback
The province says the Northlander will resume service between Toronto and Northern Ontario after a 14-year hiatus. The 16-stop route between the city and Timmins will reconnect northern communities and support jobs and economic growth across the network.
Billy Bishop takeover
The province previously said it wants to buyout the City of Toronto’s stake in Billy Bishop airport, and reiterated that position in Thursday’s budget.
It’s unclear how much the expropriation process would cost, but the province has said the move is needed to expand the island airport and serve Ontario’s growing population.
Tourism investments
Ontario place work underway
The province’s controversial overhaul of Ontario Place is well underway, and will feature a private mega-spa, enhanced public spaces, as well as playgrounds and trails and parks when its complete.
The province has said work at the waterfront site could be completed as soon as 2029. It’s expected to cost the province more than $2 billion.
“This one-of-a-kind transformation of Toronto’s waterfront will create over 5,7000 jobs in the construction and tourism sectors while boosting economic growth across Toronto and the region.
More money for AGO, ROM
To accommodate its growing collection of modern and contemporary art, Ontario is giving the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) $35 million over two years to supports its expansion.
The AGO and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) are also getting an additional $21 million in annual operating funding to support its operations.
SkyDome Act to be scrapped
The province says a proposed new act will repeal the SkyDome Act (Bus Parking, 2002 and remove bus parking requirements from 305 Bremner Boulevard.
It’s unclear what the province has planned for the government-owned site near Rogers Centre, but a spokesperson said there was “tremendous opportunity” for the property.
