Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of Rural Affairs
Ministry overview
Ministry vision
The Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) is working to ensure prosperity for rural communities across Ontario and supporting rural communities. The ministry is doing this through delivery of economic development programs, tools and training that help expand local business growth, stimulate investment and re-investment in traditional downtown districts, and identify strategies to welcome newcomers as residents and workers to enhance economic growth.
Mandate
The Ministry of Rural Affairs works with rural communities, economic development officers, businesses, community groups and associations to support the economic vitality, growth and resilience of rural Ontario. The ministry is responsible for:
Leadership on rural affairs
- Leading cross-government policy and initiatives on rural affairs
- Leading internal and external stakeholder engagement related to rural affairs
Policy & program development
- Developing policies, programs, tools and resources that support rural economic development
- Applying a whole of government rural lens to support policy and program outcomes for rural Ontario
- Undertaking research and working with partners to shape applied rural research
Financial assistance
- Providing financial assistance to rural communities to support rural economic development through delivery of programs
Economic development advisory services
- Promoting and delivering rural economic development programs and initiatives
- Providing advice, training and support to rural stakeholders on provincial tools and approaches to rural economic development, growth and community resilience
Ministry programs
The ministry is responsible for the following activities:
Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program
Rural Ontario is home to about 2.5 million people, approximately 17.4% of Ontario’s population. In 2023, rural Ontario’s GDP was estimated to be $113.3 billion and supported 1.2 million jobs representing approximately 15% of the province’s labour force. Rural Ontario businesses are diverse and include manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, professional services and tourism-based businesses, as well as food production, natural resource extraction, and energy generation.
The ministry works with rural communities, economic development officers, businesses, and community groups to support the economic vitality, growth and resilience of rural Ontario.
The ministry supports rural communities in diversifying and growing their local economies by promoting and delivering rural economic development programs, providing access to economic data, providing advice, training and support to rural stakeholders on provincial tools, and fostering the adoption of economic development best practices.
The ministry’s primary funding program, previously known as the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, has been a key support for rural communities economic development for many years and is highly successful and valued by stakeholders. The RED program has been replaced with the new Rural Ontario Development program and is doubling its funding to $10 million annually over the next two years for a total of $20 million.
The renamed and modernized Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program will provide cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities and helps rural and Indigenous communities remove barriers to economic development, attract investment, create, retain, fill jobs and enhance economic growth. The program also helps rural communities and businesses address new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities to grow their local economies and industries.
In 2025–26, the ministry plans to undertake the following key activities in the ROD program:
Given the current economic conditions, there will be greater focus and increased expectation to help rural communities take advantage of new opportunities and overcome economic barriers. A modernized ROD program will be central to the government’s efforts to move rural Ontario forward.
The ministry plans on launching the modernized program to support an increased number of community projects to help build economic development capacity, to assist rural businesses and entrepreneurs address barriers to business development and growth, and to further address rural labour force issues by supporting the attraction and retention of workers, newcomers and youth. The ROD program builds upon and improves the successful RED program based on feedback received through input and engagement with stakeholders.
The ministry will continue to support rural communities by providing access to data, training, tools and resources to increase community knowledge, expertise and leadership in economic development and support rural economic growth through delivery of ministry programs and tools including:
- First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE)
- Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E)
- Community Economic Development 101
- Teeny Tiny Economic Development Summits
- Downtown Revitalization
- Strategic Planning
- Analyst Tool
Rural policy and engagement
The ministry provides evidence-based policy analysis and advice in support of ministry and government priorities to foster rural economic growth. It is also responsible for developing policy, legislation and strategies to support rural Ontario. The ministry applies a rural lens to government initiatives and helps to inform government decision-making.
The ministry also leads internal and external stakeholder engagement related to rural affairs.
In 2025–26, the ministry plans to undertake the following key activities for Rural Policy and Engagement:
MRA will continue to provide policy analysis and advice in support of ministry and government priorities to foster economic growth in rural communities, including undertaking research and supporting external research that helps to inform rural economic development in Ontario.
The ministry will bring a rural lens to government policies and programs so that implications for rural communities broadly are considered in the decision-making process.
In addition, the ministry will move forward with implementing initiatives in support of the government’s rural economic development strategy.
The ministry will also continue to liaise and engage with stakeholders in relation to rural affairs. This will help to gather intelligence to inform government decision-making.
2025–26 Strategic plan
With the establishment of the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the launch of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy, the ministry will continue to support rural communities by providing access to data, training, tools and cost-share funding to build capacity, address barriers and leverage opportunities to support rural economic growth.
Rural Ontario Development program
As committed in the Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy, the ROD program will help rural communities not only address new challenges they are facing, but also to help them take advantage of new opportunities, allowing them to continue to contribute to Ontario’s economic success and culture. With this increased focus and expectation, ROD program will be key for the government’s efforts to move rural Ontario forward.
The government has been providing support for rural community economic development for many years including to:
- Assist rural Ontario create the right conditions to support business retention and growth and attract investment.
- Assist rural communities work with businesses and other partners on creative solutions to address job creation, investment and economic diversification.
- Create efficiencies and streamline program administration as well as reducing the administrative burden for applicants.
With the renamed and modernized ROD program, the ministry will work further to support rural municipalities, Indigenous communities, small rural businesses and not-for profit organizations by:
- Investing in projects to better position rural communities to attract and retain jobs and investment, and to enhance economic growth.
- Supporting community and regional projects to attract, retain and train workers, immigrants or youth including to create more welcoming communities for newcomers, youth retention initiatives and training.
- Focusing on projects that improve and extend the useful life of capital assets that support local economic development and contribute to an attractive and vibrant community. It would also focus on projects that support renovations and rehabilitation of underutilized space/blighted buildings to achieve an economic development outcome.
- Supporting the modernization, growth and sustainability of small rural businesses, and helping with productivity, innovation, business competitiveness and revenue growth.
| Operating | 19.334 |
|---|---|
| Capital | 0.001 |
| Total | 19.335 |
Detailed financial information
Table 2: Total operating and capital summary by vote
| Votes/Programs | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Change from estimates 2024–25 $ | % | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Interim 2024–25 $ | Actuals 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Affairs program | 19,269,400 | 11,768,500 | 156.9 | 7,500,900 | 7,500,900 | 6,057,822 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 19,269,400 | 11,768,500 | 156.9 | 7,500,900 | 7,500,900 | 6,057,822 |
| Statutory appropriations | 65,014 | 65,014 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ministry total operating expense | 19,334,414 | 11,833,514 | 157.8 | 7,500,900 | 7,500,900 | 6,057,822 |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | 19,334,414 | 11,833,514 | 157.8 | 7,500,900 | 7,500,900 | 6,057,822 |
Notes:
- Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2025 Ontario Budget.
- For the purpose of 2025–26 Estimates Briefing Book, Estimates 2024–25 matches with Interim 2024–25.
| Votes/Programs | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Change from estimates 2024–25 $ | % | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Interim 2024–25 $ | Actuals 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Affairs program | 1,000 | 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ministry total capital expense | 1,000 | 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | 1,000 | 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Notes:
- Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2025 Ontario Budget.
- For the purpose of 2025–26 Estimates Briefing Book, Estimates 2024–25 matches with Interim 2024–25.
| Votes/Programs | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Change from estimates 2024–25 $ | % | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Interim 2024–25 $ | Actuals 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry total | 19,335,414 | 11,834,514 | 157.8 | 7,500,900 | 7,500,900 | 6,057,822 |
Notes:
- Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2025 Ontario Budget.
- For the purpose of 2025–26 Estimates Briefing Book, Estimates 2024–25 matches with Interim 2024–25.
| Historic trend analysis data | Actuals 2022–23 $ | Actuals 2023–24 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) | 5,949,758 | 6,057,822 | 7,500,900 | 19,335,414 |
| Percentage (%) | N/A | 1.8% | 23.8% | 157.8% |
Note: Estimates and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)
Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel (REDAP)
Type of agency: Advisory
Constituting instrument: Order in Council
Function: The REDAP provides non-binding recommendations to the minister on applications for funding previously under the Rural Economic Development program and going forward under the Rural Ontario Development program and any other program that the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the minister may assign.
| 2025–26 Expenditure estimates | 2025–26 Revenue estimates | 2024–25 Interim expenditure actuals | 2024–25 Interim revenue actuals | 2023–24 Expenditure actuals | 2023–24 Revenue actuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ministry organization chart
- Minister of Rural Affairs
- Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Rural Affairs
- Deputy Minister Martha Greenberg
- Executive Advisor — Melissa Mobilio
- Legal Services Branch — Stephen Lockwood, Director
- Legal Services Branch — Claire Young, Deputy Director
- Legal Services Branch — Carolyn Poutiainen, Deputy Director
- Communications Branch — Burke Christian, Director
- Business Management Division — Amanda Lui, CAO/ADM
- Corporate Services Branch — Alyssa Cates, Director
- Controllership and Financial Planning Branch — Chris Skubel, Director
- Human Resources Strategies Branch — Suzana Ristich, Director
- Community Services Audit Service Team — Gord Nowlan, Director
- Rural Affairs Division — Laurie Miller, ADM
- Rural Policy and Economic Development Branch — Scott Duff, Director
- Land & Resources I&IT Cluster — Claudio De Rose, CIO/ADM
- Digital Solutions — Julie Bieth, Director
- Business Partnership and Planning — Maja Pavlic, Director
- Technology Services Operations — Uwe Helmer, Head
Notes:
- Legal Services Branch Director: Dual reporting relationship with MAG and MMAH (to CAO for administrative purposes; to Deputy for legal services)
- Communications Branch Director: Dual reporting relationship with the Deputy Minister of Communications, the Associate Secretary of Cabinet and the Deputy Minister of MRA
- Community Services Audit Service Team Director: Dual reporting relationship with CIA, Ontario Internal Audit Division, Treasury Board Secretariat and ADM, BMD for administrative purposes
- Land & Resources I&IT Cluster CIO/ADM: Dual reporting relationship with Corporate Chief Information Technology Officer and Deputy Minister of MRA
- As of March 31, 2025
Appendix: 2024–25 Annual report
Ministry’s achievements in 2024–25
Rural Ontario Development program
- The Rural Economic Development program provided cost-share funding to rural communities, Indigenous communities and organizations, regions and not-for-profit organizations. The 2024–25 fiscal year resulted in 85 approved projects, with a commitment of $5.8 million over multiple years.
- In January 2025, the government committed to increasing funding for the renamed and modernized Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program by doubling the budget for a total of up to $10 million per year for 2025–26 and 2026–27.
- In 2024, over 350 licenses were issued for the Analyst tool to provide economic data to help rural stakeholders better understand their region and make informed economic decisions.
- There are over 10 active Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) projects across the province that supports rural communities in retaining and growing their local businesses. Over 1,500 businesses have been surveyed as part of these BR+E projects.
- In 2024, the ministry, in partnership with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), delivered three in-person Teeny Tiny Summits held in Holstein, Tweed and Minden with 289 participants and 203 participants joined the virtual summit held in January 2025 where attendees learned about economic development strategies for Ontario's smallest communities. In 2025, the ministry is collaborating with ROMA again to deliver Teeny Tiny Summits in Picton, Manitouwadge and Strathroy-Caradoc.
- In 2024–25, 131 participants were trained in Downtown Revitalization projects including Huron-Kinloss, Fenelon Falls, Southgate, Sarnia. Uxbridge and Amherstburg are in the project preparation phase.
Rural policy and engagement
- The ministry undertook engagements with municipal leaders, Indigenous partners and rural stakeholders to inform the development of a provincial rural economic development strategy. Thirteen regional roundtables were held across the province to hear the thoughts, experiences and ideas of those living and working in rural Ontario. The ministry also received over 240 online submissions through the consultation website.
- The Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy was introduced at the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference.
- The strategy is the government’s plan to help rural communities leverage new economic opportunities and prepare themselves for growth. The strategy focuses on three key pillars:
- Safe and strong rural communities – Improving local economic development capacity and championing local leadership, supporting the rehabilitation of municipal and community infrastructure, optimizing rural connectivity, and supporting communities in developing plans for housing and transportation to ensure rural communities are places where people want to live, work and play.
- Business development and attraction – Supporting rural and Indigenous communities and other economic development partners in strengthening and growing rural business, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, attracting investment, revitalizing downtowns and diversifying regional economies.
- Growing the rural workforce – Helping grow local talent, raising awareness of job opportunities available in rural Ontario, supporting workers in obtaining the skills needed to succeed, and attracting and retaining workers so that rural communities and small towns thrive.
- The strategy is the government’s plan to help rural communities leverage new economic opportunities and prepare themselves for growth. The strategy focuses on three key pillars:
- The ministry supported the development and co-hosting of the second annual Federal/Provincial/Territorial rural ministers’ conference held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, co-chaired by Ontario.
2024–25 Results
| Item | Ministry interim actual expenditures ($M) 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Operating | 7.5 |
| Capital | 0.0 |
| Staff strength (as of March 31, 2024) | 33.0 |
Notes:
- Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2025 Budget.
- Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions.