There’s optimism swirling through the political winds.
Hot off the heels of issuing a statement in which he expresses optimism regarding the latest federal budget, Mayor Paul Lefebvre said there’s also much to like in Ontario’s 2025 Fall Economic Statement.
The document was released on Thursday under the title, “A Plan to Protect Ontario,” and pledges to “build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy."
U.S. tariffs weigh heavily in its context.
“It’s encouraging to see recognition for municipalities like ours that are exceeding housing targets,” Lefebvre said in his statement. “Continued support for housing-enabling infrastructure will help us keep building the infrastructure needed to build more homes that our residents need.”
The document cites “an additional $1.6 billion to accelerate housing and critical infrastructure projects, nearly doubling the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to $4 billion,” to help communities “build roads, bridges and water systems that enable new housing.”
In Lefebvre’s statement, he also welcomes “the emphasis on mental health and addictions services, along with added support for long-term supportive housing. These investments are critical to addressing homelessness and ensuring care for residents with complex needs.”
The Fall Economic Statement pledges to expand homelessness and addictions recovery, and commits to a four-per-cent increase in the sector’s base funding “to support community-led and delivered mental health programs.”
On this front, Sudbury.com recently sought information on what’s happening with the province’s HARTbeat Health and Wellness Centre, which is set to take shape in downtown Sudbury and serve as a homelessness and addictions services hub, but didn’t get many answers.
The only update we got from the Ministry of Health spokespeople on the program which was announced nine months ago was that a “permanent location is in the midst of its procurement phase, and details about the full range of services and rollouts will be shared once this process is finalized.”
The city has been advocating for more funding from senior levels of government toward tackling homelessness, including the construction and management of transitional housing units.
Last year, the province spent $15,828,000 on homelessness initiatives in Greater Sudbury, including social services and housing. The federal government spent $7,536,000, and the municipality spent $24,122,000
In his statement, Lefebvre credits the province’s plan for maintaining a focus on critical minerals and Northern economic development, which he said “reflects Sudbury’s leadership in mining and clean energy innovation. We’re pleased to see ongoing support for initiatives that strengthen our role in Ontario’s clean economy.”
In their statement, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities said they are encouraged by the province’s commitment to balance its books by 2027-28, “while continuing to invest in key infrastructure and affordability measures.”
“The government’s decision to match the federal cut to the HST on new home purchases for first-time buyers, up to $1 million, will provide meaningful support to Ontarians seeking affordable housing,” they said.
Earlier this month, the Sudbury & District Home Builders’ Association similarly commended the province's tax cut for first-time home buyers, but also argued that it could go further to include all new home purchases.
The FONOM release cites a long list of positives in their statement, including but not limited to:
- A pilot project to bring ride sharing services to communities along the Northlander corridor
- Investments in road infrastructure such as the Greenstone corridor toward the Ring of Fire
- Increased Connecting Links program funding to $45 million
- The rise of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Program (OCIP) minimum to $125,000
- The $50 million increase to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), now totalling $600 million
- The government’s ongoing investment in clean water systems, now totalling $4 billion, including $1.6 billion for upgrades
During a finance and administration committee meeting of Greater Sudbury city council on Nov. 4, at which staff dropped their draft municipal budget for 2026-27, city Finance director Margaret Karpenko cited a $3.2-million jump in the city’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allowance.
This, she said, joined an overall benefits cost reduction of $2.7 million in bringing the city’s municipal operations budget increase of 0.9 per cent for 2026, which is below the rate of inflation. A one-per-cent tax levy increase is equal to $3.7 million.
“The increase to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund and the higher minimum under the Ontario Community Infrastructure Program are positive steps for our member communities,” FONOM president Dave Plourde said in a media release.
“We’ll continue to advocate on issues that impact Northern municipalities, including the effects of tariffs on local economies. As this is a Fall Economic Statement, FONOM looks forward to continuing our work with the Province to ensure Northern communities can address their current challenges and are prepared to contribute to Ontario’s overall success.”