Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (2026–2027)
The 2026-2027 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2026.
Summary
The Ministry drives economic growth, prosperity and job creation. This requires both tackling immediate economic challenges and building the foundations for future prosperity. The Ministry does this through:
- Boosting Ontario’s global profile and promoting private sector investment
- Supporting firm growth, technology adoption, and market expansion
- Accelerating innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization
- Ensuring Ontario’s interests are represented in all trade negotiations, issues and disputes
- Breaking down barriers to internal trade to boost economic growth
- Promoting strategic industries, regional growth and economic diversification
- Fostering collaboration across Ontario with industry partners and other levels of government.
Along with its agency, Invest Ontario, the Ministry also promotes Ontario as a top-tier trading partner and investment destination, showcasing how we are making it easier to establish and do business in the province. Through regional offices, the Ministry also delivers business advisory services that provide tailored supports to help Ontario small and medium-sized businesses, scale, improve efficiency and create employment. Through its international network of Trade and Investment Offices, and the delivery of trade policy and export programs and services, the Ministry protects Ontario’s interests in trade agreements and helps businesses increase their exports to grow and scale and attracts high-value investment that supports good jobs at home.
Ministry Program Summary
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | Ministry Administration Program | 25,072,500 | 24,793,100 | 279,400 | 21,414,666 |
| 902 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 1,855,109,900 | 2,469,421,000 | (614,311,100) | 1,700,912,854 |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 1,880,182,400 | 2,494,214,100 | (614,031,700) | 1,722,327,520 | |
| Statutory Appropriations | 128,868,772 | 529,565 | 128,339,207 | 4,544,740 | |
| Ministry Total Operating Expense | 2,009,051,172 | 2,494,743,665 | (485,692,493) | 1,726,872,260 | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - Venture Ontario | (89,473,200) | (89,391,100) | (82,100) | 3,019,324 | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | - | - | - | (3,120) | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - Invest Ontario | (500,000) | - | (500,000) | (764,076) | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation | (1,000) | - | (1,000) | (3,565,907) | |
| Total Including Consolidation & Other Adjustments | 1,919,076,972 | 2,405,352,565 | (486,275,593) | 1,725,558,481 |
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 902 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 |
| Total Operating Assets to be Voted | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 | |
| Ministry Total Operating Assets | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 |
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 902 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - |
| Total Capital Expense to be Voted | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - | |
| Statutory Appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry Total Capital Expense | 4,000 | 4,000 | - | - | |
| Total Including Consolidation & Other Adjustments | 4,000 | 4,000 | - | - |
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 902 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - |
| Total Capital Assets to be Voted | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry Total Capital Assets | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry Total Operating and Capital Including Consolidation and Other Adjustments (not including Assets) | 1,919,080,972 | 2,405,356,565 | (486,275,593) | 1,725,558,481 |
Reconciliation to Previously Published Data
| Operating Expense | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|
| Total Operating Expense previously published | 2,494,743,665 | 1,739,591,933 |
| Government Reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions to other Ministries | - | (12,719,673) |
| Restated Total Operating Expense | 2,494,743,665 | 1,726,872,260 |
Ministry Administration Program - Vote 901
This program provides financial, human resources, planning, legal, and other corporate services for the operational programs and certain agencies of the Ministry.
Vote Summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ministry Administration | 25,072,500 | 24,793,100 | 279,400 | 21,414,666 |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 25,072,500 | 24,793,100 | 279,400 | 21,414,666 | |
| S | Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act | 66,559 | 47,841 | 18,718 | 49,301 |
| S | Minister without Portfolio’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 30,211 | 22,378 | 7,833 | 22,378 |
| S | Parliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act | 45,002 | 32,346 | 12,656 | 31,415 |
| S | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total Statutory Appropriations | 142,772 | 103,565 | 39,207 | 103,094 | |
| Total Operating Expense | 25,215,272 | 24,896,665 | 318,607 | 21,517,760 |
Standard accounts classification
| Vote-item number | Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 901-1 | Ministry Administration | ||
Salaries and wages | 15,950,000 | ||
Employee benefits | 1,450,800 | ||
Transportation and communication | 630,000 | ||
Services | 6,587,600 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 454,100 | ||
Other transactions | 100,000 | ||
| Subtotal | 25,172,500 | ||
| Less: Recoveries | 100,000 | ||
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 25,072,500 | ||
| Sub-Items: | |||
| Main Office | |||
Salaries and wages | 6,903,900 | ||
Employee benefits | 583,100 | ||
Transportation and communication | 185,000 | ||
Services | 1,759,500 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 75,000 | 9,506,500 | |
| Planning and Finance | |||
Salaries and wages | 4,219,600 | ||
Employee benefits | 428,300 | ||
Transportation and communication | 350,000 | ||
Services | 1,680,100 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 192,500 | ||
Other transactions | 100,000 | ||
Subtotal | 6,970,500 | ||
Less: Recoveries | 100,000 | 6,870,500 | |
| Human Resources | |||
Salaries and wages | 1,242,000 | ||
Employee benefits | 105,400 | ||
Transportation and communication | 40,000 | ||
Services | 183,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 20,000 | 1,590,400 | |
| Communications Services | |||
Salaries and wages | 3,549,500 | ||
Employee benefits | 332,000 | ||
Transportation and communication | 35,000 | ||
Services | 700,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 40,000 | 4,656,500 | |
| Legal Services | |||
Salaries and wages | 35,000 | ||
Employee benefits | 2,000 | ||
Transportation and communication | 20,000 | ||
Services | 2,265,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 126,600 | 2,448,600 | |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 25,072,500 | ||
| Statutory Appropriations | |||
| Statutory | Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act | 66,559 | |
| Statutory | Minister without Portfolio’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 30,211 | |
| Statutory | Parliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act | 45,002 | |
| Statutory Appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | |
| Total Operating Expense for Ministry Administration Program | 25,215,272 |
Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program - Vote 902
This program supports economic growth and job creation in Ontario by
- Driving sector intelligence, strategies, and targeted investment-related initiatives, including upgrades for industrial sites for large-scale, complex manufacturing projects to support the province’s anchor sectors, notably automotive, steel, chemicals, aerospace, technology and life sciences.
- Ontario’s investment attraction agency, Invest Ontario, works to secure and anchor the next generation of investments that will create jobs, increase resilience and diversify the economy.
- Increasing growth opportunities for businesses and advancing Ontario’s interests, including strengthening relationships and representation in internal and international trade markets to unlock new trade opportunities.
- Helping small and medium sized enterprises thrive, by developing cross-cutting policies and programs to support entrepreneurship and address regional disparities, providing business advisory services, and supporting access to capital.
- Fostering the province’s innovative economy by driving industry collaboration, enhancing access to early-stage capital and supporting the development and adoption of advanced technologies.
- Facilitating access to seed and later stage capital to help grow Ontario companies through Venture Ontario and other ecosystem organizations.
Vote Summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | 1,855,109,900 | 2,469,421,000 | (614,311,100) | 1,700,912,854 |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 1,855,109,900 | 2,469,421,000 | (614,311,100) | 1,700,912,854 | |
| S | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | 128,726,000 | 426,000 | 128,300,000 | 4,441,646 |
| Total Statutory Appropriations | 128,726,000 | 426,000 | 128,300,000 | 4,441,646 | |
| Total Operating Expense | 1,983,835,900 | 2,469,847,000 | (486,011,100) | 1,705,354,500 |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 |
| Total Operating Assets to be Voted | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 | |
| Total Operating Assets | 721,609,000 | 329,371,600 | 392,237,400 | 44,479,153 |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - |
| Total Capital Expense to be Voted | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - | |
| S | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total Statutory Appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total Capital Expense | 4,000 | 4,000 | - | - |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2026–27 $ | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Difference Between 2026–27 and 2025–26 $ | Actual 2024–25 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - |
| Total Capital Assets to be Voted | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
| Total Capital Assets | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - |
Standard accounts classification
| Vote- item number | Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items | Amount $ | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 902-13 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | |||
Salaries and wages | 48,958,500 | |||
Employee benefits | 5,116,500 | |||
Transportation and communication | 2,177,900 | |||
Services | 21,882,100 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 1,126,100 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Automotive Plan | 6,100,000 | |||
Commercialization and Innovation Network Support | 23,704,200 | |||
Critical Technologies Initiative | 38,350,000 | |||
Futurpreneur | 2,000,000 | |||
Indigenous Community Engagement | 4,000,000 | |||
Industrial Land Development | 321,182,000 | |||
Invest Ontario Fund | 100,000,000 | |||
Invest Ontario Fund - Operations | 15,410,000 | |||
Investment Attraction Organizations | 3,650,000 | |||
Jobs and Prosperity Fund and Other Business Support Programs | 68,685,200 | |||
Life Sciences Programs | 54,334,900 | |||
Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit | 30,325,000 | |||
Ontario Centre of Innovation | 13,900,000 | |||
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | 227,610,400 | |||
Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit | 440,000,000 | |||
Ontario Made Program | 250,000 | |||
Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award | 20,000 | |||
Ontario Together Trade Fund | 80,000,000 | |||
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network | 23,550,000 | |||
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit | 60,342,900 | |||
Sector Support Grants | 27,611,100 | |||
Small Business Digitization Competence Centre | 5,000,000 | |||
Small Business Enterprise Centres Entrepreneurship Programs | 15,896,000 | |||
Strategic Investments | 109,630,000 | |||
Trade Impacted Communities Program | 14,500,000 | |||
Venture Ontario | 90,000,000 | 1,776,051,700 | ||
| Subtotal | 1,855,312,800 | |||
| Less: Recoveries | 202,900 | |||
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 1,855,109,900 | |||
| Sub-Items: | ||||
| Economic Development and Investment | ||||
Salaries and wages | 18,967,800 | |||
Employee benefits | 2,083,200 | |||
Transportation and communication | 662,800 | |||
Services | 6,686,300 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 465,200 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Automotive Plan | 6,100,000 | |||
Critical Technologies Initiative | 38,350,000 | |||
Futurpreneur | 2,000,000 | |||
Indigenous Community Engagement | 4,000,000 | |||
Industrial Land Development | 321,182,000 | |||
Invest Ontario Fund | 100,000,000 | |||
Invest Ontario Fund - Operations | 15,410,000 | |||
Investment Attraction Organizations | 3,650,000 | |||
Jobs and Prosperity Fund and Other Business Support Programs | 68,685,200 | |||
Life Sciences Programs | 54,334,900 | |||
Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit | 440,000,000 | |||
Ontario Made Program | 250,000 | |||
Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award | 20,000 | |||
Ontario Together Trade Fund | 80,000,000 | |||
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network | 23,550,000 | |||
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit | 60,342,900 | |||
Sector Support Grants | 27,611,100 | |||
Small Business Digitization Competence Centre | 5,000,000 | |||
Strategic Investments | 109,630,000 | |||
Trade Impacted Communities Program | 14,500,000 | |||
Venture Ontario | 90,000,000 | 1,464,616,100 | 1,493,481,400 | |
| Strategy and Policy | ||||
Salaries and wages | 5,489,000 | |||
Employee benefits | 571,700 | |||
Transportation and communication | 99,500 | |||
Services | 608,400 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 53,000 | |||
Subtotal | 6,821,600 | |||
Less: Recoveries | 202,900 | 6,618,700 | ||
| Start-ups and Scale-ups | ||||
Salaries and wages | 7,764,800 | |||
Employee benefits | 885,000 | |||
Transportation and communication | 415,600 | |||
Services | 2,502,700 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 229,000 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Small Business Enterprise Centres Entrepreneurship Programs | 15,896,000 | 27,693,100 | ||
| International Trade | ||||
Salaries and wages | 16,736,900 | |||
Employee benefits | 1,576,600 | |||
Transportation and communication | 1,000,000 | |||
Services | 12,084,700 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 378,900 | 31,777,100 | ||
| Innovation | ||||
Transfer payments | ||||
Commercialization and Innovation Network Support | 23,704,200 | |||
Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit | 30,325,000 | |||
Ontario Centre of Innovation | 13,900,000 | |||
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | 227,610,400 | 295,539,600 | 295,539,600 | |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 1,855,109,900 | |||
| Statutory Appropriations | ||||
Other transactions | ||||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | 128,726,000 | ||
| Total Operating Expense for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 1,983,835,900 |
| Vote- item number | Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 902-14 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | ||
Deposits and prepaid expenses | 1,000 | ||
Loans and Investments | |||
Invest Ontario | 200,000,000 | ||
Strategic Investments | 419,583,200 | ||
Jobs and Prosperity Fund and Other Business Support Programs | 102,024,800 | 721,608,000 | |
| Total Operating Assets to be Voted | 721,609,000 | ||
| Total Operating Assets for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 721,609,000 |
| Vote- item number | Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|
| 902-21 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | |
Other transactions | 3,000 | |
| Total Capital Expense to be Voted | 3,000 | |
| Statutory Appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 |
| Total Capital Expense for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 4,000 |
| Vote- item number | Standard Account by Item and Sub-Items | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|
| 902-22 | Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | |
Land and marine fleet - asset costs | 1,000 | |
Investments in Tangible Capital Asset | 1,000 | |
| Total Capital Assets to be Voted | 2,000 | |
| Total Capital Assets for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program | 2,000 |
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total Operating Expense includes Statutory Appropriations, Special Warrants and total operating expense to be voted.