The French-language affairs budget component figures in the latest financial plan unveiled by the Ford administration
Springing a Leak in the Maple Leaf: U.S. Tariffs Ripple Through Ontario's Budget
It's a bitter pill to swallow for the citizens of Ontario as their provincial budget, titled "Tide-Turning Ontario," grapples with the crippling effects of U.S. tariffs, which dominate nearly every page of the 251-paged document. With a whopping 111 appearances of the word "tariff," it's clear that these policies are the driving force behind the budget's numbers.
On the flip side, the funding for the Ministry of Francophone Affairs takes a minimal hit, with a slash of $2.7 million this year, leaving many Franco-Ontarians disheartened.
Doug Ford and his government, crowned "Captain Canada" in the eyes of their constituents, have made it clear that their focus is squarely on navigating through treacherous political waters created by U.S. tariffs, which have plagued Ontario's economy.
A Torrential Downpour of Red Ink
The anticipated deficit for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is an eye-watering $14.6 billion—ten times larger than the $1.4 billion predicted in last year's budget. This massive shortfall is a direct consequence of the economic turbulence wrought by U.S. tariffs.
The budget asserts that the new deficit is a necessary safety net for businesses and communities grappling with the fallout from the tariffs. As a result, the government is investing heavily in various support measures to offset the financial impact. These include a $5 billion Protecting Ontario Account, specifically designed to help businesses weather the storm, as well as a $1 billion boost to the Skills Development Fund over the next three years.
In addition, the province has bulked up its contingency reserves, setting aside $2 billion annually for the next three fiscal years as a precaution against ongoing trade uncertainties.
A Dash of French Flavor in an Economic Storm
Despite the overwhelming attention paid to U.S. tariffs, the budget allocates funds to support French-language education and institutions. Two new schools—one in Sudbury and one in Ottawa—are slated for construction, funded by a $30 billion investment over the next decade. The Ministry of Francophone Affairs will also maintain an annual operating budget in the tens of millions of dollars, according to historical trends, although the budget does not provide a specific line item for this ministry.
Meanwhile, the University of Sudbury, a vital French institution in the province's North, was left out of the budget despite a request for explicit funding from the Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario.
In sum, while the Ontario government faces a churning sea of economic turmoil due to U.S. tariffs, the situation for the Ministry of Francophone Affairs remains relatively calm—albeit dampened by a $2.7 million reduction in funds this year.
This report was made possible with the aid of the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.
Further Reading:
How Ontario's Francophone population is responding to the budget cutsAn Exodus of Francophone Businesses: The Impact of Budget Cuts on Ontario's Francophone EntrepreneursNavigating the Tariffs: Canada's Response to the U.S. Tariff Threat
- Amidst the economic storm caused by U.S. tariffs, an unexpected allocation can be found in the budget, with $30 billion set aside over the next decade for the construction of two French schools in Sudbury and Ottawa.
- As the Ontario government focuses intensely on weathering the financial impact of U.S. tariffs, it also remains actively involved in the financing of education and self-development, such as the continued support of French-language education institutions.
