2025 Ontario Budget invests in stronger economy

Kitchener, Ontario – Today, the Province of Ontario released their 2025 Budget titled, A Plan to Protect Ontario. The budget included new investments in housing, infrastructure, transportation, and a strong economy.

“On behalf of the City of Kitchener, I want to congratulate Minister Bethlenfalvy on delivering the 2025 Provincial Budget today,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “I appreciate the balance between protecting Ontario’s economy, responding to U.S. tariffs, affordability measures important to our residents while also investing in transportation infrastructure and a strong local innovation economy critical to Kitchener and Ontario.” 

With a clear focus on protecting Ontario workers, businesses and jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs and continued economic uncertainty and a plan to build an economy that is more resilient and self-reliant, the Province has committed to planned investments over the next 10 years totaling over $200 billion, including more than $33 billion in 2025–26.

The Province reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to enhancing stations and the railway corridor to facilitate two-way, all-day service on the Kitchener Line through the Advancing GO 2.0 initiative.

“It is critical, now more than ever, to invest in community infrastructure to protect our economy,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “The City of Kitchener is pleased to partner with the Province on infrastructure investments, including the implementation of two-way-all-day GO service and housing-enabling projects that will build a stronger Kitchener and Ontario.”

Minister Bethlenfalvy also introduced $90 million in venture capital (VC) funding through Venture Ontario, including $50 million to Ontario-based VC funds focused on technologies that support national defense, AI and cybersecurity, and $40 million for life sciences and biomanufacturing innovation. This investment will be helpful to communities such as Kitchener as we work to help life sciences companies and biomanufacturers innovate and grow as a key element of our economic development strategy, Make It Kitchener 2.0.

The City team will continue to work with the provincial government, including Premier Ford, Minister Harris and our area MPP’s on a tariff response, including opportunities to accelerate infrastructure development that can keep municipal projects on track, maintain critical infrastructure and contribute to Ontario jobs and our economy.

For more information: 

Nasreen
Strategic Communications Officer
Office of the Mayor and Council,
City of Kitchener 
nasreen@kitchener.ca 

M: 226-753-6082