The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has published its budget submission calling for a focus on investment and structural reform as the Ontario government prepares to table the 2026 budget.
The submission presents a set of priorities to address the economic conditions business face given the province’s economic potential. It pulls from feedback provided by businesses and chambers in Ontario.
In January, the OCC shared its recommendations with the finance ministry. President and CEO Daniel Tisch also discussed the submission with finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy.
“Ontario has strong economic foundations, but they are being tested. Global trade is more volatile, competition for investment is intensifying, and uncertainty is holding businesses back from investing in themselves and their people. Budget 2026 must turn Ontario’s foundations into a platform for action by making and incentivizing investments in productivity, competitiveness and growth,” Tisch said in a statement.
Findings from the OCC’s 2026 Business Confidence Survey showed that only 23 percent of Ontario businesses were confident in Ontario's economic outlook; 65 percent anticipated that tariffs, trade disruptions, and broader economic uncertainty would hinder investment and expansion plans. Moreover, almost one in four businesses faced labour shortages.
Thus, businesses are increasing prices, diversifying suppliers, absorbing increased costs, and scaling back investments; per the OCC, this created long-term productivity and competitiveness risks.
The chamber suggested prioritizing tax credits and exemptions to draw and incentivize investments in technology, productivity and scaling up, and leveraging procurement to anchor high-value investment and intellectual property. This would boost business competitiveness and investment, the chamber said.
It also suggested improving employer participation in work-integrated learning and prioritizing skills investments. It called for recent post-secondary investments to be leveraged to address labour shortages in growth industries, expanding and diversifying the province’s talent pipeline.
The OCC suggested modernizing health data systems to accelerate access to innovative treatments and mental health services. It also urged investment in arts, culture, and tourism, driving local economic activity throughout the year.
It recommended integrating housing, energy, and digital infrastructure planning with predictable funding models for growth-enabling infrastructure.
“For Ontario, this is an historic moment, filled with both uncertainty and opportunity,” Tisch said. “To strengthen our economy, Budget 2026 must help businesses move from managing risk to competing for growth.”