Summary

The Ministry of Finance supports the economic, fiscal, and taxation policies and strategies of the Government of Ontario and oversees the Province's borrowing and debt management program. The ministry produces the provincial budget and fall economic statement, and manages Ontario's fiscal relationship with the federal government and Ontario's municipalities. In conjunction with Treasury Board Secretariat, the ministry also manages the Consolidated Revenue Fund and provincial fiscal and financial policies, and reports on financial matters.

The ministry develops policies for Ontario's financial services sector and supports the regulation of financial services institutions and intermediaries conducting business in the Province. It reports on economic and demographic developments; and provides analytical and policy support on these topics, as well as statistical leadership and monitoring of trends affecting Ontario's economic growth and job creation.

The ministry administers a number of provincial tax statutes, tax credits and benefit programs, and manages the Province's relationship with the Canada Revenue Agency.

The ministry is responsible for policy development for the beverage alcohol, gaming and cannabis sectors. Along with the operational and revenue-generating agencies in these sectors, the ministry also oversees other agencies accountable to the Minister of Finance.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgram

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1201Ministry Administration Program34,246,90034,689,700(442,800)53,362,066
1202Regulatory Policy and Agency Relations Program18,774,70018,405,200369,50014,452,656
1203Economic, Fiscal, and Financial Policy Program485,466,700369,325,900116,140,800216,689,790
1209Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program1,073,437,6001,178,811,100(105,373,500)956,413,138
1215Building Ontario Fund Program5,000,000-5,000,000-
 Total operating expense to be voted1,616,925,9001,601,231,90015,694,0001,240,917,650
 Statutory appropriations    
 

Treasury Program

14,228,241,00013,764,000,000464,241,00012,493,990,977
 

Building Ontario Fund, the Building Ontario Fund Act, 2024 (proposed)

1,000-1,000-
 

Other Statutory Appropriations

50,799,08750,799,087-219,224,268
 Ministry total operating expense15,895,966,98715,416,030,987479,936,00013,954,132,895
 Consolidation Adjustment - Investment Management Corporation of Ontario310,665,800296,852,10013,813,700243,269,000
 Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Financing Authority27,211,30027,211,300-26,540,881
 Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Securities Commission151,662,400141,688,2009,974,200138,119,490
 Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation(416,727,800)(302,706,700)(114,021,100)(186,775,424)
 Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio---(109,606)
 Consolidation Adjustment – General Real Estate Portfolio for Ontario Financing Authority(1,548,300)(1,425,000)(123,300)(1,581,589)
 Consolidation Adjustment - Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario120,873,400107,650,50013,222,900100,157,361
 Consolidation Adjustment - Treasury Program350,171,000735,000,000(384,829,000)431,328,841
 Consolidation Adjustment - Treasury Program - Interest Capitalization for Other Sectors(665,412,000)(441,000,000)(224,412,000)(536,035,850)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments15,772,862,78715,979,301,387(206,438,600)14,169,045,999

Operating Assets

1209Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program1,500,0001,500,000-348,448
 Total operating assets to be voted1,500,0001,500,000-348,448
 Statutory appropriations32,700,00032,700,000-30,406,350
 Ministry total operating assets34,200,00034,200,000-30,754,798

Capital expense

 Consolidation Adjustment - Investment Management Corporation of Ontario2,025,9001,990,90035,0001,986,000
 Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Financing Authority1,323,2001,372,900(49,700)946,237
 Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Securities Commission2,092,9002,460,800(367,900)2,555,729
 Consolidation Adjustment - Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario3,313,4003,511,900(198,500)3,372,668
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments8,755,4009,336,500(581,100)8,860,634
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)15,781,618,18715,988,637,887(207,019,700)14,177,906,633

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

Estimates
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Total operating expense previously published footnote 115,416,030,98713,977,853,069
Government Reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

-(23,720,174)
Restated total operating expense15,416,030,98713,954,132,895
Capital assets

Estimates
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Total capital assets previously published footnote 2-6,206,631
Government Reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

-(6,206,631)
Restated total capital assets--

Ministry Administration Program - Vote 1201

The Ministry Administration Program, which includes the Offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance, delivers planning, advisory, legal, and controllership functions to ensure direction and management of operating programs consistent with Ontario Government policy and legislation. The program manages relationships with Treasury Board Secretariat and other central agencies, ensures proper levels of support to the ministry and its client groups.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1Ministry Administration34,246,90034,689,700(442,800)53,362,066
 Total operating expense to be voted34,246,90034,689,700(442,800)53,362,066
SMinister's Salary, the Executive Council Act47,84147,841-49,301
SMinister without Portfolio's Salary, the Executive Council Act---5,160
SParliamentary Assistants’ Salaries, the Executive Council Act32,34632,346-33,102
SBad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act1,0001,000--
 Total statutory appropriations81,18781,187-87,563
 Total operating expense34,328,08734,770,887(442,800)53,449,629

Standard account by item and sub-items

 
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $

Operating expense

1201-1Ministry Administration  
 

Salaries and wages

 18,181,200
 

Employee benefits

 2,735,400
 

Transportation and communication

 1,097,700
 

Services

 11,399,200
 

Supplies and equipment

 833,400
 Total operating expense to be voted 34,246,900
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

3,294,800 
 

Employee benefits

344,400 
 

Transportation and communication

305,400 
 

Services

193,200 
 

Supplies and equipment

77,2004,215,000
 Corporate services  
 

Salaries and wages

9,499,600 
 

Employee benefits

1,921,900 
 

Transportation and communication

463,400 
 

Services

2,328,500 
 

Supplies and equipment

418,70014,632,100
 Communications Services  
 

Salaries and wages

5,386,800 
 

Employee benefits

469,100 
 

Transportation and communication

73,600 
 

Services

110,300 
 

Supplies and equipment

164,1006,203,900
 Legal Services  
 

Transportation and communication

255,300 
 

Services

8,767,200 
 

Supplies and equipment

173,4009,195,900
 Total operating expense to be voted 34,246,900
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act

 47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary Assistants’ Salaries, the Executive Council Act

 32,346
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act

 1,000
 Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program 34,328,087

Regulatory Policy and Agency Relations Program - Vote 1202

The Regulatory Policy and Agency Relations Program provides coordination and oversight of the Ministry of Finance's regulatory policy agenda, and related agency oversight.

This program undertakes pension and income security policy analysis and leads development of relevant legislation and regulations. It tracks emerging trends and developments and identifies the social, economic and fiscal implications of pension and income security policies, and supports the government in formulating legislation and major economic, fiscal and policy documents. The program also manages the government's relationship with the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario.

This program ensures efficient regulation of the provincial financial services sector, including insurance, deposit-taking institutions, mortgage brokers, and the capital markets. This includes providing oversight to the Ontario Securities Commission and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario.

The ministry also provides administrative support to the Financial Services Tribunal, an adjudicative tribunal that, at the request of affected persons, holds appeals and hearings for decisions or proposed decisions, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario.

This program supports the coordination of horizontal policy development across multiple ministries to support key sectors including implementation of beverage alcohol as well as gaming and cannabis. It facilitates the Minister's oversight and accountability of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and manages the Ontario Deposit Return Program for beverage alcohol containers.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

6Income Security and Pension Policy5,328,7005,285,20043,5004,682,873
7Government Business Enterprise7,916,4007,878,70037,7005,367,769
8Financial Services Policy5,528,6005,240,300288,3004,402,014
12Financial Services Tribunal1,0001,000--
 Total operating expense to be voted18,774,70018,405,200369,50014,452,656
 Total operating expense18,774,70018,405,200369,50014,452,656

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $

Operating expense

1202-6Income Security and Pension Policy 
 

Salaries and wages

4,395,500
 

Employee benefits

481,800
 

Transportation and communication

18,800
 

Services

410,700
 

Supplies and equipment

21,900
 Total operating expense to be voted5,328,700
1202-7Government Business Enterprise 
 

Salaries and wages

4,609,300
 

Employee benefits

581,900
 

Transportation and communication

72,900
 

Services

2,587,600
 

Supplies and equipment

64,700
 Total operating expense to be voted7,916,400
1202-8Financial Services Policy 
 

Salaries and wages

3,869,300
 

Employee benefits

525,700
 

Transportation and communication

68,600
 

Services

1,388,000
 

Supplies and equipment

62,700
 Subtotal5,914,300
 Less: recoveries385,700
 Total operating expense to be voted5,528,600
1202-12Financial Services Tribunal 
 

Salaries and wages

176,600
 

Employee benefits

23,000
 

Transportation and communication

5,200
 

Services

574,000
 

Supplies and equipment

1,500
 Subtotal780,300
 Less: recoveries779,300
 Total operating expense to be voted1,000
 Total operating expense for Regulatory Policy and Agency Relations Program18,774,700

Economic, Fiscal, and Financial Policy Program - Vote 1203

The Economic, Fiscal and Financial Policy Program assists the government in formulating the fiscal plan and monitors and reports on the performance of the Ontario economy through the Ontario Budget, Ontario Quarterly Finances, Ontario Economic Accounts, Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, and Ontario’s Public Accounts. It leads preparation of the Long-Term Report on the Economy and supports the Pre-Election Review of Ontario’s Finances by the Auditor General. This program supports, develops and implements sound economic and fiscal strategies to stimulate economic growth and job creation; and it provides financial and economic expertise and advice to support the development, implementation and assessment of the impact of government policies and programs on Ontarians. It undertakes annual population projections for use in resource allocation and planning and develops demographic forecasts for Ontario and its 49 census divisions.

This program assists the Minister of Finance and the government in formulating Ontario's fiscal policy and strategies with respect to federal-provincial fiscal arrangements; and provides policy advice to clients, managers, and decision makers in the areas of fiscal management. The program facilitates engagement with central agency and line ministry partners to provide fiscal and budgetary policy advice and support policy development and prioritization. The program is responsible for statistics policy and is leading efforts to deliver high quality data and information and modernizing Ontario’s statistics services.

In addition, the program reflects the transfer of dedicated electricity earnings from the Province to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1Economic Policy12,586,90012,236,000350,90011,742,749
8Office of the Budget5,438,3004,494,200944,1004,818,041
12Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation Dedicated Electricity Earnings467,441,500352,595,700114,845,800200,129,000
 Total operating expense to be voted485,466,700369,325,900116,140,800216,689,790
SGuarantees and Indemnities, the Financial Administration Act1,0001,000--
SHydro One Inc., Provincial Corporate Tax Provision, the Electricity Act, 19981,0001,000-35,000,000
 Total statutory appropriations2,0002,000-35,000,000
 Total operating expense485,468,700369,327,900116,140,800251,689,790

 

 

Standard account by item and sub-items

 

 

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $

Operating expense

1203-1Economic Policy 
 

Salaries and wages

9,997,300
 

Employee benefits

1,175,000
 

Transportation and communication

86,400
 

Services

1,064,200
 

Supplies and equipment

264,000
 Total operating expense to be voted12,586,900
1203-8Office of the Budget 
 

Salaries and wages

4,750,200
 

Employee benefits

455,100
 

Transportation and communication

71,800
 

Services

119,000
 

Supplies and equipment

42,200
 Total operating expense to be voted5,438,300
1203-12Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation Dedicated Electricity Earnings 
 

Other transactions

 
 

Electricity Sector Dedicated Income

467,441,500
 Total operating expense to be voted467,441,500
 Statutory appropriations 
 

Other transactions

 
Statutory

Guarantees and Indemnities, the Financial Administration Act

1,000
 Statutory appropriations 
 

Other transactions

 
Statutory

Hydro One Inc., Provincial Corporate Tax Provision, the Electricity Act, 1998

1,000
 Total operating expense for Economic, Fiscal, and Financial Policy Program485,468,700

Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program - Vote 1209

The Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program develops the policy and legislative framework for Ontario's taxation and benefits systems; administers Ontario tax statutes, tax and non-tax revenue programs and a number of benefit programs; maintains the integrity of Ontario's tax system; and manages the Province's fiscal relationship with municipalities.

The program’s objective is to maintain a tax system that is competitive and transparent for business to support economic growth, while ensuring tax supports are fair and effective for individuals and families in Ontario. To this end, the program provides strategic analysis and advice as well as legislative design on a range of tax areas, including personal, corporate, mining, electricity sector, commodity, and sales, estate administration and payroll.

As part of this work, the program offers front-line customer service across the Province including program advice, education and outreach, as well as assistance throughout the registration and account management process. The program also conducts tax compliance activities including online verification, audit, inspection, investigation and collection. In addition, the program delivers key benefit programs for low-income individuals and families, including automated income-verification services and online client experience improvements to other benefit programs. The program conducts research and analysis of tax compliance; reviews tax administration programs for effectiveness, efficiencies, and opportunities to improve revenue integrity; coordinates Burden Reduction activities on behalf of the ministry; and manages the Province’s relationship with the Canada Revenue Agency.

The program provides advice on the development of policies and legislation governing the Ontario property tax system, including municipal property taxation, education property taxes and provincial land tax, establishes the policy and legislative framework for Ontario's property assessment system, and manages the Province’s relationship with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. It also provides strategic oversight and advice on policies that support the Province’s fiscal arrangements with municipalities and designs and delivers municipal funding programs, including the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, the Province's main general assistance grant to municipalities.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1Tax and Benefits Administration488,184,900553,926,800(65,741,900)401,478,911
5Taxation Policy9,695,2009,598,00097,2006,957,187
6Provincial-Local Finance32,689,40032,418,200271,20025,610,247
7Municipal Support Programs542,868,100582,868,100(40,000,000)522,366,793
 Total operating expense to be voted1,073,437,6001,178,811,100(105,373,500)956,413,138
SPayments to Private Collection Agencies, the Financial Administration Act5,500,0005,500,000-4,972,803
SBad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act45,215,90045,215,900-179,163,902
 Total statutory appropriations50,715,90050,715,900-184,136,705
 Total operating expense1,124,153,5001,229,527,000(105,373,500)1,140,549,843

Operating Assets

2Assets1,500,0001,500,000-348,448
 Total operating assets to be voted1,500,0001,500,000-348,448
SAdvances, the Education Act18,500,00020,300,000(1,800,000)18,082,523
SAdvances, the Northern Services Boards Act7,000,0006,200,000800,0006,025,346
SAdvances, the Local Roads Boards Act7,200,0006,200,0001,000,0006,298,481
 Total statutory appropriations32,700,00032,700,000-30,406,350
 Total operating assets34,200,00034,200,000-30,754,798

Standard account by item and sub-items

 
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $Amount $

Operating expense

1209-1Tax and Benefits Administration   
 

Salaries and wages

  81,319,700
 

Employee benefits

  12,334,500
 

Transportation and communication

  3,787,100
 

Services

  172,210,900
 

Supplies and equipment

  2,340,300
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Guaranteed Annual Income System

 219,833,700 
 

Tax Compliance Partnership Agreements

 170,000220,003,700
 Subtotal  491,996,200
 Less: recoveries  3,811,300
 Total operating expense to be voted  488,184,900
 Sub-items:   
 Strategy, Stewardship and Program Policy   
 

Salaries and wages

 16,301,000 
 

Employee benefits

 2,253,000 
 

Transportation and communication

 260,000 
 

Services

 150,520,900 
 

Supplies and equipment

 137,000169,471,900
 Tax Compliance and Benefits   
 

Salaries and wages

 65,018,700 
 

Employee benefits

 10,081,500 
 

Transportation and communication

 3,527,100 
 

Services

 21,690,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

 2,203,300 
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Guaranteed Annual Income System

219,833,700  
 

Tax Compliance Partnership Agreements

170,000220,003,700 
 

Subtotal

 322,524,300 
 

Less: recoveries

 3,811,300318,713,000
 Total operating expense to be voted  488,184,900
1209-5Taxation Policy   
 

Salaries and wages

  7,579,700
 

Employee benefits

  1,388,000
 

Transportation and communication

  134,900
 

Services

  499,500
 

Supplies and equipment

  93,100
 Total operating expense to be voted  9,695,200
1209-6Provincial-Local Finance   
 

Salaries and wages

  8,153,800
 

Employee benefits

  968,800
 

Transportation and communication

  181,200
 

Services

  23,270,600
 

Supplies and equipment

  115,000
 Total operating expense to be voted  32,689,400
1209-7Municipal Support Programs   
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund

 501,850,000 
 

Special Payments to Municipalities

 16,693,100 
 

Temporary and other Local Assistance

 24,325,000542,868,100
 Total operating expense to be voted  542,868,100
 Statutory appropriations   
 

Services

   
Statutory

Payments to Private Collection Agencies, the Financial Administration Act

  5,500,000
 Statutory Appropriations    
 

Other transactions

   
Statutory

Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act

  45,215,900
 Total operating expense for Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program  1,124,153,500

Operating Assets

1209-2Assets   
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

   
 

Guaranteed Annual Income System

  1,500,000
 Total operating assets to be voted  1,500,000
 Statutory Appropriations    
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

   
Statutory

Advances, the Education Act

  18,500,000
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

   
Statutory

Advances, the Northern Services Boards Act

  7,000,000
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

   
Statutory

Advances, the Local Roads Boards Act

  7,200,000
 Total operating assets for Tax, Benefits and Local Finance Program  34,200,000

Building Ontario Fund Program - Vote 1215

The Ontario Infrastructure Bank (proposed to be renamed the Building Ontario Fund) is a new, arms-length agency to leverage investments by public-sector pension plans and other trusted Canadian institutional investors to help fund large-scale infrastructure projects across the province.

At the outset, the projects financed through this new agency will be focused on long-term care homes, energy infrastructure, affordable housing, municipal and community infrastructure and transportation.

This program will ensure effective oversight of the Ontario Infrastructure Bank (proposed to be renamed the Building Ontario Fund).

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

1Building Ontario Fund5,000,000-5,000,000-
 Total operating expense to be voted5,000,000-5,000,000-
SBuilding Ontario Fund, the Building Ontario Fund Act, 2024 (proposed)1,000-1,000-
 Total statutory appropriations1,000-1,000-
 Total operating expense5,001,000-5,001,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $

Operating expense

1215-1Building Ontario Fund 
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Ontario Infrastructure Investment

5,000,000
 Total operating expense to be voted5,000,000
 Statutory appropriations 
 

Transfer payments

 
Statutory

Building Ontario Fund, the Building Ontario Fund Act, 2024 (proposed)

1,000
 Total operating expense for Building Ontario Fund Program5,001,000

Treasury Program

The Treasury Program is responsible for the development, direction, operation, execution and formulation of policies for the management of the Province's debt, investments, credit ratings, investor relations, and related financial administration activities. This is accomplished by issuing and managing debt, including Green Bonds, to complete the Province’s annual borrowing program; liaising with credit rating agencies on their assessment and determination of the Province's credit rating; providing centralized financial services to the Province, including banking and cash management; providing financial reporting on the fiscal position of the Province to investors and the public; providing financial analysis and support related to the electricity sector including debt and other liabilities, and monitoring the fiscal implications; co-managing, with Ontario Power Generation, the investment activities of the Ontario Nuclear Funds; providing advice to government and broader public sector entities on financing initiatives and policies, and on any direct or indirect provincial liabilities; provision of guarantees and loans by the Province and assistance in investments to its Crown Corporations and agencies; advising Crown agencies and other public bodies on financial policies and projects and investing on behalf of some public bodies; and arranging custodial and fiscal agency services for the Province and certain agencies.

The Ontario Financing Authority also provides a broad range of financial services to Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation and Infrastructure Ontario while continuing to support the government on key strategic priorities including the building out of the Ontario Infrastructure Bank (proposed to be renamed the Building Ontario Fund).

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense

SInterest on Debt, the Financial Administration Act14,228,241,00013,764,000,000464,241,00012,493,990,977
 Total operating expense14,228,241,00013,764,000,000464,241,00012,493,990,977

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $

Operating expense

StatutoryStatutory appropriations
Interest on Debt, the Financial Administration Act
  
 

Interest on Ontario Securities

  
 

 

For general purposes

15,692,663,000 
 

 

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

301,620,00015,994,283,000
 

Less: Interest Capitalized in Ministry Appropriations

 199,248,000
 

Less: Other interest, exchange, discount and commission

 (130,845,000)
 

Less: Interest on Investments

 2,095,644,000
   13,830,236,000
 

Interest on Debt Payable to Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation

 398,005,000
 Total operating expense for Treasury Program 14,228,241,000