Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (2025–26)
Summary
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides leadership to help ensure communities are served by strong, efficient local governments and that people in Ontario have access to housing that meets their needs.
To achieve these goals, the ministry develops, coordinates, and implements Ontario government policies, legislation, regulation, and programs that impact municipalities, housing, municipal service managers, and Indigenous program administrators. It also manages:
- intergovernmental relationships with federal, provincial, and municipal stakeholders
- provincial business relationships with key growth partners, and the
- implementation of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Memorandum of Understanding and the Toronto-Ontario Cooperation and Consultation Agreement.
The ministry also develops and administers policies and programs in support of:
- municipal administration, governance, and finance
- municipal infrastructure growth and improvement
- municipal and provincial land use planning
- growth management
- building regulation
- community and supportive housing
- housing supply (including residential and commercial tenancy regulation), homelessness response and prevention programs, and disaster recovery
Ministry program summary
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | Ministry Administration Program | 24,709,200 | 23,712,000 | 997,200 | 22,884,347 |
| 1903 | Local Government | 12,169,700 | 8,409,200 | 3,760,500 | 11,086,220 |
| 1908 | Housing Policy and Planning | 32,681,700 | 34,175,300 | (1,493,600) | 33,346,005 |
| 1909 | Municipal and Housing Operations | 1,154,340,100 | 1,147,933,700 | 6,406,400 | 1,387,899,239 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 1,223,900,700 | 1,214,230,200 | 9,670,500 | 1,455,215,811 | |
| Statutory appropriations | 390,892 | 792,592 | (401,700) | 1,464,485 | |
| Ministry total operating expense | 1,224,291,592 | 1,215,022,792 | 9,268,800 | 1,456,680,296 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Public housing debentures - Interest on debt | (300,500) | (702,200) | 401,700 | (1,370,200) | |
| Other adjustments - Bill 124 | - | - | - | (1,048,856) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - General real estate portfolio | (34,000) | (34,400) | 400 | (1,604,163) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation | - | - | - | (2,827,652) | |
| Total including consolidation and other adjustments | 1,223,957,092 | 1,214,286,192 | 9,670,900 | 1,449,829,425 |
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Housing Policy and Planning | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - | |
| Ministry total operating assets | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - |
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| 1908 | Housing Policy and Planning | 190,002,000 | 550,002,000 | (360,000,000) | - |
| 1909 | Municipal and Housing Operations | 342,841,400 | 298,258,700 | 44,582,700 | 329,310,317 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 532,844,400 | 848,261,700 | (315,417,300) | 329,310,317 | |
| Statutory appropriations | 636,500 | 636,500 | - | 604,398 | |
| Ministry total capital expense | 533,480,900 | 848,898,200 | (315,417,300) | 329,914,715 | |
| Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) | 1,757,437,992 | 2,063,184,392 | (305,746,400) | 1,779,744,140 |
Reconciliation to previously published data
| Operating expense | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|
| Total operating expense previously published | 1,205,022,792 | 1,446,680,296 |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions to other Ministries | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
| Restated total operating expense | 1,215,022,792 | 1,456,680,296 |
Ministry Administration Program - Vote 1901
The objectives of this program are to: provide leadership, direction, coordination and controllership for all central agency requirements (including statutory and regulatory compliance), as well as corporate programs and activities of the ministry; provide strategic communications and issues management support; provide efficient and effective strategic advice, legal advice and services, business and resources planning, corporate emergency and security management, risk management and service delivery management support to the ministry; establish controls and controllership mechanisms, reporting and management standards, service standards and performance measures; and provide oversight of the ministry's human, financial, information management and information technology resources, and physical assets. This program also provides management and operational support services to the ministry and its agencies.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ministry Administration | 24,709,200 | 23,712,000 | 997,200 | 22,884,347 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 24,709,200 | 23,712,000 | 997,200 | 22,884,347 | |
| S | Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act | 47,841 | 47,841 | - | 20,953 |
| S | Minister without Portfolio’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 22,378 | 22,378 | - | 22,378 |
| S | Parliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act | 16,173 | 16,173 | - | 16,667 |
| S | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | 87,392 | 87,392 | - | 59,998 | |
| Total operating expense | 24,796,592 | 23,799,392 | 997,200 | 22,944,345 |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ministry Administration capital | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total capital expense | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901-1 | Ministry Administration | ||
Salaries and wages | 14,630,500 | ||
Employee benefits | 1,322,900 | ||
Transportation and communication | 250,400 | ||
Services | 8,457,500 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 47,900 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 24,709,200 | ||
| Sub-items: | |||
| Main office | |||
Salaries and wages | 3,745,300 | ||
Employee benefits | 451,100 | ||
Transportation and communication | 82,300 | ||
Services | 243,900 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 7,400 | 4,530,000 | |
| Communications services | |||
Salaries and wages | 3,294,900 | ||
Employee benefits | 274,800 | ||
Transportation and communication | 17,700 | ||
Services | 233,100 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 2,500 | 3,823,000 | |
| Financial and Administrative Services | |||
Salaries and wages | 6,081,700 | ||
Employee benefits | 391,600 | ||
Transportation and communication | 92,700 | ||
Services | 991,200 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 17,900 | 7,575,100 | |
| Human resources | |||
Salaries and wages | 1,468,600 | ||
Employee benefits | 205,400 | ||
Transportation and communication | 33,900 | ||
Services | 233,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 6,200 | 1,947,100 | |
| Legal services | |||
Salaries and wages | 40,000 | ||
Transportation and communication | 23,800 | ||
Services | 5,889,800 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 13,900 | 5,967,500 | |
| Information systems | |||
Services | 866,500 | 866,500 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 24,709,200 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
| Statutory | Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act | 47,841 | |
| Statutory | Minister without Portfolio’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 22,378 | |
| Statutory | Parliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act | 16,173 | |
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | |
| Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program | 24,796,592 |
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|
| 1901-2 | Ministry Administration capital | |
Other transactions | 1,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | |
| Total capital expense for Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 |
Local Government - Vote 1903
The objective of this program is to support Ontario's municipalities to provide effective governance and services to their residents and businesses. This program contributes to a long-term policy, program, administrative, and legislative framework that enhances the accountability, transparency, financial sustainability, and effectiveness of local government and democratic processes. Activities include overseeing the Municipal Act, City of Toronto Act, Development Charges Act, Municipal Elections Act, Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, and provisions related to growth-related infrastructure financial tools under the Planning Act.
In delivering on its objectives, the program works across government and in partnership with the federal government, other provinces and territories, municipalities, businesses, environmental, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous peoples to advance shared priorities, such as long-term municipal sustainability and evidence-based decision-making. This includes leading intergovernmental relations with the federal government related to agreements such as the National Housing Strategy (NHS) and Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF).
The program also strengthens the province’s relationship with Ontario’s 444 municipalities through the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Toronto-Ontario Cooperation and Consultation Agreement.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Local Government | 12,169,700 | 8,409,200 | 3,760,500 | 11,086,220 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 12,169,700 | 8,409,200 | 3,760,500 | 11,086,220 | |
| S | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total operating expense | 12,170,700 | 8,410,200 | 3,760,500 | 11,086,220 |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|
| 1903-7 | Local Government | |
Salaries and wages | 8,137,000 | |
Employee benefits | 658,300 | |
Transportation and communication | 94,000 | |
Services | 3,270,500 | |
Supplies and equipment | 9,900 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 12,169,700 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 |
| Total operating expense for local government | 12,170,700 |
Housing Policy and Planning - Vote 1908
The objectives of this program are to ensure Ontario's municipalities are well-planned, and effectively provide services to their residents and businesses, and deliver on community and supportive housing; homelessness response, prevention and reduction; and market housing supply policies. This program contributes to a long-term policy and legislative framework that enhances the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of local government processes. The ministry works across government and in partnership with municipalities to advance shared priorities, such as long-term municipal sustainability and evidence-based decision-making. Activities include overseeing the Planning Act, Provincial Planning Statement, Greenbelt Act, Ontario Planning and Development Act, Places to Grow Act, Housing Services Act, Residential Tenancies Act, Commercial Tenancies Act, and the Building Code Act.
This includes engaging with stakeholders on opportunities to improve housing; working horizontally to lead policy and legislative changes to increase and maintain both affordable and market housing supply and improve overall housing affordability; supporting innovative approaches to increase housing supply; and maintaining a regulatory framework that protects tenants and landlords and encourages maintenance and investment in new rental housing.
This also includes overseeing geographic-specific regulatory policy such as the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario (with the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth) the Greenbelt Plan, and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Additionally, the program supports environmental protection, preservation of agricultural land, and conservation of greenspace while also providing a legislative framework for land use planning and development approvals, including the administration of Ontario’s Building Code.
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Housing Policy and Planning | 32,681,700 | 34,175,300 | (1,493,600) | 33,346,005 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 32,681,700 | 34,175,300 | (1,493,600) | 33,346,005 | |
| S | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total operating expense | 32,682,700 | 34,176,300 | (1,493,600) | 33,346,005 |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Housing Policy and Planning | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - | |
| Total operating assets | - | 3,600,000 | (3,600,000) | - |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Housing Policy and Planning | 190,002,000 | 550,002,000 | (360,000,000) | - |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 190,002,000 | 550,002,000 | (360,000,000) | - | |
| Total capital expense | 190,002,000 | 550,002,000 | (360,000,000) | - |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|
| 1908-1 | Housing Policy and Planning | |
Salaries and wages | 23,891,500 | |
Employee benefits | 2,579,100 | |
Transportation and communication | 327,200 | |
Services | 5,795,100 | |
Supplies and equipment | 87,800 | |
Transfer payments | ||
Building Faster Fund | 1,000 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 32,681,700 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 |
| Total operating expense for housing policy and planning | 32,682,700 |
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908-3 | Housing Policy and Planning | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Housing lands — Lease | 1,000 | ||
Housing lands — Sale | 1,000 | ||
Building Faster Fund | 190,000,000 | 190,002,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 190,002,000 | ||
| Total capital expense for housing policy and planning | 190,002,000 |
Municipal and Housing Operations - Vote 1909
The objectives of this program are to build strong local governments; promote well-planned, safe, complete, and thriving communities; and increase the supply of housing through direct engagement with municipal clients and housing service providers. This includes: engaging with stakeholders on opportunities to improve local government, planning and housing; supporting municipalities, municipal service managers, housing providers, Indigenous program administrators and other external stakeholders to help them meet their responsibilities; and supporting vulnerable populations through community and supportive housing, homelessness prevention and portable housing benefit programs. Its main priorities are to: oversee the implementation of the Municipal Act, the Planning Act, the Housing Services Act and related legislation, regulations, policies, and transfer payment programs; strengthen municipal capacity to deliver efficient services that meet local needs and achieve financial sustainability, prosperity and resiliency; and lead the province's one-window land-use planning system to support increased housing supply and economic development opportunities. In addition, this program provides provincial disaster recovery assistance and manages the ministry's Order-in-Council emergency management program. To meet its objectives, the program provides a full range of services: policy and legislative implementation; information management and reporting; program design and delivery; advisory and approval services; and program funding.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Municipal and Housing Operations | 1,152,421,300 | 1,146,115,100 | 6,306,200 | 1,385,753,926 |
| 2 | Residential tenancy | 1,918,800 | 1,818,600 | 100,200 | 2,145,313 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 1,154,340,100 | 1,147,933,700 | 6,406,400 | 1,387,899,239 | |
| S | Interest on debt, the Financial Administration Act | 300,500 | 702,200 | (401,700) | 1,370,200 |
| S | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | 34,287 |
| Total statutory appropriations | 301,500 | 703,200 | (401,700) | 1,404,487 | |
| Total operating expense | 1,154,641,600 | 1,148,636,900 | 6,004,700 | 1,389,303,726 |
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2025–26 $ | Estimates 2024–25 $ | Difference Between 2025–26 and 2024–25 $ | Actual 2023–24 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Municipal and Housing Operations | 342,840,400 | 298,257,700 | 44,582,700 | 329,310,317 |
| 5 | Municipal and Housing Operations capital, expense related to capital assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 342,841,400 | 298,258,700 | 44,582,700 | 329,310,317 | |
| S | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 636,500 | 636,500 | - | 604,398 |
| Total statutory appropriations | 636,500 | 636,500 | - | 604,398 | |
| Total capital expense | 343,477,900 | 298,895,200 | 44,582,700 | 329,914,715 |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-1 | Municipal and Housing Operations | ||
Salaries and wages | 22,124,600 | ||
Employee benefits | 2,399,700 | ||
Transportation and communication | 569,400 | ||
Services | 3,678,900 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 106,600 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Community housing | 128,255,000 | ||
Homelessness | 670,730,200 | ||
National housing strategy | 320,564,900 | ||
Indigenous and community housing | 9,826,200 | ||
Priority projects for municipalities and municipal organizations | 1,000 | ||
Municipal disaster recovery assistance | 1,000 | ||
Assistance to Moosonee | 1,717,800 | ||
Assistance to planning boards | 350,000 | ||
Disaster recovery assistance for Ontarians | 1,000 | ||
Payments under the Municipal Tax Assistance Act | 85,179,000 | ||
Taxes on tenanted provincial properties under the Municipal Tax Assistance Act | 9,181,000 | 1,225,807,100 | |
Other transactions | 3,543,400 | ||
| Subtotal | 1,258,229,700 | ||
| Less: recoveries | 105,808,400 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 1,152,421,300 | ||
| 1909-2 | Residential tenancy | ||
Salaries and wages | 1,674,000 | ||
Employee benefits | 133,500 | ||
Transportation and communication | 24,700 | ||
Services | 83,600 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 3,000 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 1,918,800 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Interest on debt, the Financial Administration Act | 300,500 | |
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | |
| Total operating expense for municipal and housing operations | 1,154,641,600 |
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-4 | Municipal and Housing Operations | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Community housing | 18,300,000 | ||
Homelessness | 36,954,100 | ||
National housing strategy | 287,584,300 | ||
Municipal disaster recovery assistance | 1,000 | ||
Priority projects for municipalities and municipal organizations | 1,000 | 342,840,400 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 342,840,400 | ||
| 1909-5 | Municipal and Housing Operations capital, expense related to capital assets | ||
Other transactions | 1,000 | ||
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 636,500 | |
| Total capital expense for for municipal and housing operations | 343,477,900 |
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total operating expense includes statutory appropriations, special warrants and total operating expense to be voted.