Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

Ministry overview

Ministry’s vision

The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM)’s vision is to build a stronger, more prosperous and inclusive Ontario where individuals from every background can succeed and feel like they belong. MCM does this by leading the government’s anti-racism and anti-hate initiatives, promoting equitable economic growth and opportunity, recognizing the achievements and contributions of exemplary Ontarians, celebrating the province’s diverse communities and working to conserve and steward Ontario’s heritage.

Ministry programs

MCM contributes to government priorities through the delivery of public services in three key areas of responsibility: the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD), the Citizenship, Inclusion and Heritage Division (CIHD) and the Heritage Policy and Programs Division (HPPD).

ARD works to eliminate systemic racism, fight racism and hate, and promote economic opportunity for Indigenous, Black and other racialized populations in Ontario. ARD is committed to building a more inclusive and responsive Ontario government to ensure all people are served equitably, with a plan that is grounded in evidence and research.

CIHD promotes economic growth, equitable opportunities and community inclusion to ensure everyone can fully participate and prosper in Ontario. CIHD also fosters inclusive and vibrant communities by formally recognizing exceptional individuals who are making a difference locally, provincially and around the world. Finally, CIHD supports municipalities and the heritage sector in administering the Ontario Heritage Act, including regulating the practice of archaeology, to conserve and protect cultural heritage resources that reflect the diverse communities and histories of Ontario.

HPPD administers the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA), working with partner ministries, prescribed public bodies and municipalities to ensure that cultural heritage is considered in land use planning processes, infrastructure planning and development and the management of provincially owned properties. In administering the OHA, HPPD regulates archaeologists, sets standards and guidelines for archaeological assessments and ensures clarity and consistency in heritage legislation, policies, programs and technology to increase business certainty for developers and investors while conserving heritage and archaeological resources.

MCM’s strategic initiatives support government priorities of building a strong Ontario by supporting people and businesses today while laying a strong foundation for the future.

Additionally, MCM is accountable for the oversight of the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT), which is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario’s heritage for people to enjoy now and for others to experience in the future.

2025–2026 Strategic plan

In 2025-2026, MCM will continue to support communities and provide a solid foundation for the province’s long-term economic growth.

MCM will help build a better tomorrow by prioritizing programs that address systemic racism and hate, empower youth, families and communities, conserve cultural and natural heritage, recognize the contributions of exemplary Ontarians, honour Veterans, celebrate diversity, drive community inclusion, and support employers and entrepreneurs to create equitable economic opportunities for all. These programs and services will help to anticipate and meet the changing needs of a diverse population, workforce and province.

Building a stronger province through anti-racism and inclusion

Racism creates barriers and disparities for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities in society. Eliminating systemic racism and advancing racial equity supports the social, economic and cultural development of society as a whole. MCM provides anti-racism leadership and expertise to create more opportunities for people and greater prosperity for the province.

Key priorities in 2025-2026 include continuing to implement Building a Stronger and More Inclusive Ontario, Ontario’s strategic plan to combat systemic racism and hate, building anti-racism capacity in public sector organizations, and strengthening supports for local businesses and community-led programs.

The Anti-Racism Strategic Plan

• Following consultations with community leaders, partner organizations and the public, MCM released Building a Stronger and More Inclusive Ontario in August 2023. This plan includes a new vision with 66 initiatives from 14 ministries under four areas of action: Economic Empowerment, Supporting Children and Youth, Population-Specific Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Initiatives, and Policy and Accountability.
• As provisioned by the Anti-Racism Act, 2017, MCM reports on the progress made annually, by September 20th of each year. The next annual progress report is set to be released in September 2025.
• Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan initially showcased the ministry's $132.5 million investment in programs and initiatives, with additional contributions from ministry partners. MCM has continued to invest more since then.
• The Ontario Government recognizes that there is still more work to be done. We continue our work, building on our achievements and ensuring that every Ontarian can participate in, contribute to and benefit from social progress and economic growth.

The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention (AHSP) Grant

• As part of the province’s efforts to combat hate in Ontario, MCM invested $25.5 million over 2 years starting in 2023-2024, to help protect faith-based and cultural organizations by funding safety and security measures.
• MCM invested $12.75 million into the AHSP Grant in 2024-2025, to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups.
• In the winter 2023-2024 round of the program, due to global events, funding prioritized Jewish and Muslim communities and expanded the province’s AHSP Grant, helping faith-based and cultural organizations implement measures to ensure community spaces remain safe and secure.
• MCM will invest $12.75 million into the AHSP Grant in 2025-2026, to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups.

Expanding economic opportunity to all

Ontario will be better positioned to navigate global economic uncertainty if all Ontarians can access economic opportunity and fully participate in the workforce. MCM is working to create equitable opportunities for youth, small businesses and organizations across the province, especially for marginalized groups facing barriers to success.

The Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) Economic Empowerment Initiative

• BYAP’s Economic Empowerment stream builds on existing government investments in multiple programs that connect Black children, youth, and families to culturally relevant supports in their communities.
• MCM is investing $16.5 million in the BYAP’s Economic Empowerment program in 2025-2026, to continue supporting 6 Initiatives (Career Launch, Career Advance, Sector Innovation Networks, Black Employment Support Program, Industry-Led Career Initiatives, and the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ)’s Black Innovation Program) which include more than 40 community-based and culturally focused programs that empower Black children and families.
  • The funding will help Black youth and young professionals develop skills to help launch their careers in high-demand sectors such as the skilled trades, information technology, automotive, health, film and the arts.

Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE)

• In 2025-2026, MCM is investing $5 million into the RAISE grant program to help address barriers faced by Indigenous, Black, and other racialized entrepreneurs.
• The RAISE grant program provides one-time $10,000 grants, culturally responsive support services, and access to business development training and coaching to help the grant recipients scale and grow successful businesses.
• This is part of Ontario’s investment of $15 million since 2021-2022.

Strengthening Partnerships with Communities

Community organizations and groups can bring people together, create a sense of belonging, help people succeed, provide support in times of crisis and advocate for positive change. In 2025-2026, MCM will continue to engage community partners to ensure its programs, policies and services reflect the experiences and needs of our diverse province.

Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity (PCEO)

• The PCEO is an advisory group that champions community voices and provides advice to government on how to help young people succeed in Ontario’s changing economy.
• The PCEO members include young Ontarians and experts from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
• The PCEO continues to work with MCM to share ideas on actions the government can take to:
  • Build a diverse, skilled, and future-oriented workforce;
  • Decrease youth unemployment rates; and
  • Grow innovation, entrepreneurship and talent within Ontario.

The Advocate for Community Opportunities (ACO)

• The ACO is a special advisory position with a mandate to:
  • Provide strategic advice in areas such as inclusive economic growth, education, employment and skills development, anti-racism and anti-hate, housing, healthcare etc., with a view of advancing on-the-ground change to support marginalized communities;
  • Inform the design of programs, policies and services; and
  • Liaise between government and marginalized communities to better understand the needs and inform government actions.

Student and Family Advocates (SFA)

• The SFA initiative is part of the Black Youth Action Plan and provides funding to Black-led/focused organizations to develop and implement community-based and culturally relevant advocacy supports tailored to the experiences and needs of Black students (ages 6-25) and families.
• The program provides Black students and families with culturally relevant school system navigation supports to meet their educational, career, and life goals. The SFA program enables students to successfully complete high school, enroll in postsecondary education and apply for meaningful jobs upon graduation.

Innovative Supports for Black Parents (ISBP)

• The ISBP initiative is part of the Black Youth Action Plan and works to enhance the availability of effective, community-based, culturally-relevant and culturally-responsive parenting supports for Black parents/caregivers, with the goal of improving outcomes for Black children, youth and their families.

Recognizing the Achievements and Contributions of Exemplary Ontarians

Civic engagement and pride are building blocks for a strong, socially cohesive and inclusive province. MCM celebrates and recognizes the outstanding achievements of Ontarians who have left a legacy in the community, the province and the world, while encouraging civic participation, community leadership and volunteerism.

Key priorities for 2025-2026 include administering and delivering the province’s annual honours, awards, recognition and showcase that celebrate outstanding accomplishments of Ontarians.

Honours programs

• MCM will celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of Ontarians through the:
  • Order of Ontario
  • Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
  • Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
  • Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery
  • Ontario Medal for Police Bravery
  • Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery

Awards Programs

• MCM will celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of Ontarians through the:
  • Amethyst Award for Outstanding Achievements by Public Servants
  • David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility
  • Hilary M. Weston Scholarship
  • James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award
  • Lincoln M. Alexander Award
  • June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism
  • Ontario Senior Achievement Award
  • Champion of Diversity Award (currently under review)

Recognition Programs

• MCM will celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of Ontarians through the:
  • Volunteer Service Awards
  • Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for Students
  • Ontario Senior of the Year Award
  • Murray Whetung Community Award for Cadets
  • Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence

Showcase Initiatives

• MCM will celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of Ontarians through the:
  • IPAC Awards in Public Administration Excellence
  • Deputy Minister Recognition Program

The ministry will continue to develop a culture of continuous improvement and implement program recommendations stemming from its three 2024-2025 Lean efficiency reviews.MCM is working to embed inclusion, diversity and equity into program delivery, while promoting programs to encourage more Ontarians from all backgrounds, and all parts of the province to apply for and have the potential to receive provincial recognition.

Conserving Cultural Heritage Resources

Ontario’s cultural heritage supports Ontarians’ sense of place and community and contributes to strong economic growth, social well-being and lifelong learning. MCM works to conserve and promote cultural heritage resources, including archaeological resources, built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes to make Ontario a place where people want to live, work and visit.

MCM provides core operating grants along with advice and outreach to support heritage organizations in promoting the stories of Ontario’s communities. MCM regulates archaeologists and sets standards of practice to ensure that archaeological resources are conserved. MCM also provides advice and support to municipalities, partner ministries, and Indigenous communities on the Ontario Heritage Act and matters related to cultural heritage.

MCM will continue to support provincial priority projects such as transit and long-term care while conserving and promoting cultural heritage. In 2024-2025 and into 2025-2026, MCM undertook the first phase of a modernization initiative to improve efficiency, quality and accessibility of heritage regulatory programs and advisory and data services.

Return of the Ancestors Initiative

To support Ontario’s reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities, the ministry funds and participates on the Joint Team for the Return of the Ancestors Initiative. This is an Indigenous led initiative that began in 2014 to repatriate 106 sets of Ancestors (Indigenous human remains) and associated burial items that came to the province through provincially mandated activities in the 1970s-1990s. The Joint Team includes Kee:Way (the Chiefs of Ontario heritage and burials sites advisory committee) the Quebec based Huron-Wendat Nation, a Lead Researcher who is an Indigenous archaeologist, and the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (IAFNER). Consultations with the Indigenous communities began in 2024-2025 and are expected to continue into 2026-2027 to facilitate the repatriations.

Table 1: Ministry Planned Expenditures 2025-2026 ($M)

Note: Ministry Planned Expenditures include Statutory Appropriations and Consolidations.

Detailed Financial Information

Table 2: Combined Operating and Capital Summary by Vote 

*Estimates and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure.

Further information on MCM’s programs and initiatives can be found at on its page.

Other information about Ontario’s Finances can be found at:

Expenditure Estimates

Public Accounts of Ontario: past editions

Ontario Budget

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Agencies

Ontario Heritage Trust: The Trust is committed to preserving our cultural and natural heritage and ensuring its continued relevance for future generations. The Ministry is working toward an Ontario where heritage is not only preserved and valued, but is celebrated, enjoyed and used as a source of inspiration. The Trust will be a beacon in an Ontario where heritage is preserved, protected and promoted in ways that are sources of pride for all Ontarians.

Beginning 2024-2025 Interim, OHT financials were consolidated with MCM’s to satisfy accounting standards.

Boards and commissions

The Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity: An advisory group that champions community voices and provides advice to the government on how to help young people succeed in Ontario’s changing economy.

Advocate for Community Opportunities: A special advisory position with a mandate to provide strategic advice in areas such as inclusive economic growth, education, employment and skills development, anti-racism and anti-hate, housing, healthcare etc., with a view of advancing on-the-ground change to support marginalized communities; inform the design of programs, policies and services; and liaise between government and marginalized communities to better understand the needs and inform government actions.

Ontario Honours Advisory Council: Provides advisory services through which it considers all nominations received and selects recipients who have the greatest merit for the honours of The Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, The Ontario Medal for Police Bravery, The Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery, The Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery and The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers.

Advisory Council to The Order of Ontario: Provides advisory services through which it reviews and evaluates nominations received for The Order of Ontario and makes its recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor in Council of those who, in its opinion, merit an appointment to The Order of Ontario.

Ministry Organization Chart

• Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
• Deputy Minister
  • Director, Communications Branch (Shared MCM, SPORT)
  • Executive Advisor
  • Director,Legal Services Branch (shared MTCG, MSAA, SPORT, MCM)
  • CIO,Community Services, I&IT Cluster (Shared EDU, MCURES, MMAH, MTCG, SPORT, MCM)
  • Anti-Racism Directorate ADMO
    • Program and Partnerships
    • Strategic Policy and Planning
    • Data and Transformation
  • Citizenship, Inclusion and Heritage Division ADMO
    • Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat
    • Heritage Operations
  • Heritage Policy and Programs Division ADMO
    • Heritage Policy and Programs
  • Corporate Management Services Division Chief Administrative Officer (Shared MCM, SPORT)
    • Corporate Policy and Coordination
    • Strategic Corporate Management
  • Ontario Heritage Trust Chief Executive Officer
    • Corporate Businesses and Services
    • Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
    • Heritage Programs and Operations

MCM organization chart as of May 2025.

Noted ministries acronyms: Ministry of Sport (SPORT), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG), Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA), Ministry of Education (EDU), Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES), and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH).

Annual report

In 2024-2025, MCM continued to deliver on its mandate to lead the government’s efforts to build an equitable Ontario and promote a sense of belonging through informed policies, programs, and services.

Building a Stronger Province Through Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Efforts

The Anti-Racism Anti-Hate (ARAH) Grant

• The ministry invested $4.8M over three fiscal years (2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024) in the ARAH grant program. The ARAH grant supports community-led initiatives that seek to increase public education and awareness on the impact of racism and hate.
• The program has funded 82 unique organizations starting in 2021-2022 across the province, supporting a diversity of sectors ranging from sports, the arts, healthcare and justice, among others.
• The ministry made an additional investment of $1.15M in the 2024-2025 fiscal year to extend the ARAH Grant program in supporting 19 previously funded organizations to help enhance/expand their community-based projects. The grant will conclude in July 2025. 

Indigenous Relationship Building

• In 2024-2025, ARD provided $515,000 in funding to Indigenous partners to support anti-Indigenous racism efforts, engagements, and projects within First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across Ontario.

The Anti-Racism Strategic Plan

• The Anti-Racism Act, 2017 requires the government to report annually on the progress of the Anti-Racism Strategy, its initiatives, targets and indicators.
• On March 7, 2022, Ontario launched a review of the province’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan to seek feedback on the current strategy and asses emerging priorities (including economic empowerment, supporting children and youth and addressing racially motivated hate).
• MCM released Building a Stronger and More Inclusive Ontario in August 2023, following extensive community and public consultation.
• The amended Strategy creates a stronger Ontario by addressing systemic racism and hate head-on, creating economic opportunity, and building better futures for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities.
• On August 30, 2024, the MCM released its fifth annual progress report on Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan, which highlighted the work of incredible people and a breadth of initiatives across 14 ministries, including MCM.
• The government continues to find innovative solutions as we work to remove barriers, advance racial equity and promote economic inclusion, so that all Ontarians have opportunities to participate, contribute and succeed.

Grants Awarded and Grant Funding Disbursed

The AHSP Grant [formerly Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations (OGFBCO)]

• In May 2023, the government announced an investment of $25.5 million over two years (FY 2023-2024 and 2024-2025) for an expanded and rebranded Ontario AHSP Grant program to help eligible religious groups, Indigenous communities and cultural communities better protect and secure their facilities from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism or other damage.
• The rebranded AHSP Grant Program launched two rounds; fall and winter round in FY 2023-2024.
• The winter round of AHSP was launched due to the recent spike in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate incidents. The program was relaunched and revamped to make it more flexible and responsive to community needs.
• In the fall 2023-2024 round, a $12.5 million investment was made to the program. The application portal was open for a total of 15.5 weeks from July 20, 2023-November 7, 2023 (including two extensions).
• In the winter 2023-2024 round, an additional $20.5 million investment was made. The application portal was open for 5.5 weeks (December 14, 2023-January 22, 2024).
• MCM invested $12.75 million into the AHSP Grant in 2024-2025, to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups.
• MCM continues to invest $12.75 million into the AHSP Grant in 2025-2026, to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups.

Expanding Economic Opportunity to All

To support an inclusive economy, MCM works to support, empower, and equip Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities to reach their full potential.

BYAP – Economic Empowerment

• The BYAP’s Economic Empowerment program, introduced in 2020, enables community organizations, employers and business leaders to create local projects that support career pathways for Black youth and young professionals.
• Within the program, six initiatives (Career Launch, Career Advance, Sector Innovation Networks, Industry-Led Career Initiatives, Black Employment Support Program, and DMZ’s Black Innovation Program) fund projects led by community organizations that improve access to good jobs, skills development, training, work placements and professional networks in high-growth sectors.
• MCM invested $16.5 million in the BYAP’s Economic Empowerment initiatives in 2024-2025 to continue supporting Black youth and young professionals develop skills to help launch their careers in high-demand sectors such as the skilled trades, information technology, automotive, health, film, and the arts.

Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) grant

• In 2024-2025, MCM invested $5 million into the RAISE grant program. This is part of Ontario’s investment of $15 million since 2021-2022.
• The RAISE grant program provides one-time $10,000 grants, culturally responsive support services, and access to business development training and coaching to help them scale and grow successful businesses.

Strengthening Partnerships with Communities

MCM worked to ensure community voices and organizations were reflected in government decision making for better programs and services.

The Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity (PCEO)

• In 2024-2025, the PCEO contributed to social and economic priorities across government for youth facing complex barriers, including Black, Indigenous and racialized youth and youth living in rural and remote areas.
• Throughout the year, the PCEO met with over 10 ministries, and provided feedback on initiatives to support the economic and social success of youth and communities in the province.   

The Advocate for Community Opportunities (ACO)

• The ACO continued to work to ensure community voices were reflected in government decision making. Some notable achievements in 2024-2025 include advocating for improved access and equity for Ontarians seeking fertility supports, which supported a funding announcement in 2024 of $150 million over two years to expand the Ontario Fertility Program; and engaging with grassroots organizations to further connections between government and ministry partners.
• Moving forward, the ACO will continue to engage with marginalized communities to identify barriers, and provide strategic advice to government, on a number of priorities.

Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) – Student and Family Advocates (SFA) and Innovative Supports for Black Parents (ISBP)

• MCM invested $4 million in BYAP programming that supported and connected the Black community in Ontario. The ISBP and SFA initiatives delivered 24 community-based and culturally-relevant programs to support Black youth and families in achieving their educational, career, and life goals. The feedback MCM received from these programs was used to improve service delivery to the Black community and address outcome disparities.

Recognizing the Achievements and Contributions of Exemplary Ontarians

MCM recognized the exceptional contributions of volunteers and civic leaders for their impact, whether local or global, by administering over 20 public-facing honours and awards programs and providing support to the selection bodies and Advisory Councils.

Honours and Awards program highlights:

•  In 2024-2025, MCM delivered over 50 recognition ceremonies in communities across Ontario, providing opportunities for local leaders, organizations, and residents to come together and inspire members of their community to get involved or contribute in meaningful ways. For example, the Volunteer Service Awards promoted civic engagement by recognizing more than 6,600 individuals that contributed many hours – equivalent to over 85,695 years collectively – of volunteer service to local organizations, including hospitals, cultural organizations and charities.
• In 2024, two new recognition programs were introduced in Ontario:
  • In April 2024, the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act was granted Royal Assent. The Act provides that the province shall award a cadet in each local Royal Canadian Air, Army and Sea Cadet corps who demonstrates exceptional citizenship and volunteerism within their community and their corps. MCM launched the inaugural call for nominations for the Murray Whetung Community Service Awards for Cadets on Nov. 8, 2024, with awards to be issued in 2025.
  • In November 2024, the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024 received Royal Assent. The Act provides that the province shall award veterans who have made significant contributions in their communities. The inaugural cycle of the Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence, including a call for nominations and delivery of awards, is scheduled for 2025.
• The ministry collaborated with Cabinet Office to conduct comprehensive Lean efficiency reviews of three key programs: the Order of Ontario, the Volunteer Service Awards, and the Amethyst Awards. These reviews were undertaken with the goal of identifying opportunities to strengthen program delivery, streamline internal processes, and enhance the overall experience for nominators and recipients alike. The resulting 41 recommendations have laid the foundation for meaningful improvements that will increase efficiency in future cycles by at least 30% across each of these high-profile recognition programs.

Conserving Cultural Heritage Resources

MCM administers the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) which sets out a framework for municipalities and the province to identify, protect and conserve properties of cultural heritage value or interest.

Efforts in 2024-2025 included:

• Making legislative amendments to the OHA through the Homeowner Protection Act, 2024 to help ease administrative pressures on municipalities and help them prioritize the review of properties most important to their communities, by extending the timeline for them to review legacy listed properties by an additional two years to January 1, 2027.
• Provided over $1 million in operating grants to more than 170 organizations through the Provincial Heritage Organization Grant and the Heritage Organization Development Grants.
• Initiated Phase 1 of Heritage Framework Transformation, to review and update the province’s heritage framework across three strategic pillars: regulatory, operational and I&IT. Procured consultants to undertake regulatory/operational review (Optimus SBR) and Information & Information Technology (Sia Partners). Findings from these reviews will inform future phases of Heritage Framework Transformation.
• Made operational improvements to the regulatory review of archaeological assessments to support faster development and infrastructure approvals in Ontario. A 40-business day service target is now in place for the expedited review of reports identified by proponents as priorities (previously 70 business days or more). As of March 31, 2025, this service target is being met 90 per cent of the time. Along with IT and other improvements, MCM has reduced the backlog of 3,000 reports awaiting regulatory review by 47 per cent.
• As a regulatory agency responsible for providing commenting and advisory services on matters related to cultural heritage within the provincial land-use planning framework, provided advice on 150 Planning Act matters (under the One-Window Planning Service, led by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)) and commented on 530 undertakings under the Environmental Assessment and similar processes.

Taking Action Towards Reconciliation with Indigenous Communities Through the Return of the Ancestors Initiative

The Return of the Ancestors Initiative contributed to the reconciliation efforts of Ontario by strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and affirming Ontario’s commitment to the repatriation of their Ancestors and associated burial items in the province's care through the following efforts in 2024-2025:

• Continued to fund and participate on the Joint Team coordinating the initiative which includes Kee:Way (the Chiefs of Ontario heritage and burials sites advisory committee) the Quebec based Huron-Wendat Nation, a Lead Researcher who is an Indigenous archaeologist.
• Completed the draft reporting and peer review on 106 sets of Ancestors and associated burial items in the care of the province that identify the Indigenous communities to be consulted on for their repatriation.
• Provided capacity funding to the Huron-Wendat Nation’s for the development of a framework for repatriation of Ancestors of interest to their community.
• Committed capacity funding and facilitated the Indigenous led approach to consultations and repatriations for 15 sets of Ancestors and associated burial items in the province’s care, which included:
  • Initiated consultations with nine Indigenous communities with an interest in these Ancestors and associated burial items.
  • Funded and organized, with co-hosts Caldwell First Nation, a multi-community gathering for 100 participants from Jan 30 to Feb 2, 2025, to support consultations with nine Indigenous communities for the repatriation of Ancestors.

Table 3: Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures 2024-2025

Acts administered by the ministry: 2024-2025

• Albanian Heritage Month Act, 2016
• Anti-Asian Racism Education Month Act, 2021
• Anti-Racism Act, 2017
• Armenian Heritage Month Act, 2022
• Asian Heritage Act, 2005
• Bangladeshi Heritage Month Act, 2016
• Black History Month Act, 2016
• Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act, 2001
• Croatian Heritage Day Act, 2024
• Dutch Heritage Month Act, 2011
• Egyptian Heritage Month Act, 2019
• Emancipation Day Act, 2008
• Emancipation Month Act, 2021
• Filipino Heritage Month Act, 2021
• German Pioneers Day Act, 2000
• Hellenic Heritage Month Act, 2019
• Hindu Heritage Month Act, 2016
• Hispanic Heritage Month Act, 2015
• Holocaust Memorial Day Act, 1998
• Holodomor Memorial Day Act, 2009
• Hungarian Heritage Month, 2022
• Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016
• Irish Heritage Day Act, 2004
• Italian Heritage Month Act, 2010
• Jewish Heritage Month Act, 2012
• Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017
• Lebanese Heritage Month Act, 2017
• Lincoln Alexander Day Act, 2013
• Major-General Sir Isaac Brock Day Act, 2012
• Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act, in respect of citizenship matters
• Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act, 2024
• Ontario Cadets Week Act, 2022
• Ontario Day Act, 2021
• Ontario Flag Day Act, 2015
• Ontario Heritage Act, except in respect of clauses 70(1)(a) and (e) as they relate to museums.
• Persian Heritage Month Act, 2021
• Polish Heritage Month Act, 2021
• Pope John Paul II Day Act, 2014
• Provincial Day of Service Act, 2022
• Scottish Heritage Day Act, 2021
• Sikh Heritage Month Act, 2013
• Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020
• South Asian Heritage Act, 2001
• Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, 2021
• Tamil Heritage Month Act, 2014
• Tartan Act, 2000
• Tibetan Heritage Month Act, 2020
• Trans Day of Remembrance Act, 2017
• Ukrainian Heritage Day Act, 2011
• United Empire Loyalists’ Day Act, 1997
• Vimy Ridge Day Act, 2010