Ontario Throne Speech Promises to Boost Trade With Other Provinces, Streamline Mineral Projects

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford speaks from the podium during a visit to Walker Construction in St. Catharines, Ont., on Jan. 31, 2025. The Canadian Press/Peter Power

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s throne speech focused on the government’s plan to boost the province’s economy, expand infrastructure, and improve health care.

Ford’s throne speech was delivered on April 15 by Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont in the legislature.

The government said its first priority is to break down trade barriers with other provinces and become less reliant on the United States.

“As its first order of business, your government will introduce legislation to protect Ontario through free trade within Canada,” the speech said. “Goods produced and services provided in other provinces and territories will be treated the same in Ontario, provided other provinces and territories do the same.”

The province said it would also focus on projects in the Ring of Fire located in Northern Ontario.

“The Ring of Fire contains the most promising mineral development opportunities in the world, representing billions in economic potential,” the throne speech said.

Ford’s speech said the government would introduce legislation to streamline permits and approvals for projects in the region.

The province is also looking at developing mineral processing within Ontario.

“Instead of being ripped and shipped overseas, minerals mined in Ontario will be refined in Ontario, creating new opportunities for workers in northern hubs like Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Timmins,” the speech said.

The focus on boosting the economy comes as the United States has introduced several tariffs on imports from Canada, including steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

“As President Trump’s tariffs reach maximum impact, goods and services that once flowed freely across our border are grinding to a halt, causing chaos and uncertainty,” Ford’s speech said. “Your government is taking action to help workers, businesses, and communities weather the storm.”

He said the province will still work with the United States and “continue to engage with American lawmakers in good-faith discussions” to collaborate as allies and partners, according to the speech.

“At the same time, your government will go to extraordinary lengths to make sure our province and country can stand on its own.”

Ontario will also focus on new energy production, according to the speech. It includes a new small modular nuclear reactor at Darlington, as well as upgrades to existing nuclear facilities in the Darlington, Pickering, and Bruce generating stations to expand generating capacity and extend the lifespans of the facilities, the premier’s speech said.

The Opposition NDP said that Ford’s speech did not go far enough to reassure Ontario residents the government had plans for stability and unity.

“We need to see real action for strong income protection, a commitment to creating good union jobs, and investing in the services that people rely on during difficult times,” Leader Marit Stiles said in an April 15 statement.

She said the government could still “respond to this moment with focus and urgency, and make sure that we take care of those who are impacted the most,” saying the government needed to present a plan for good jobs, reliable services, and a resilient economy.

Auto Sector

The throne speech also talked about the government’s commitment to allocate funding for electric vehicle manufacturing.

Ontario has offered subsidies to attract EV automakers and battery manufacturers to the province. Those include nearly $300 million offered to Ford Motor Company to develop an electric vehicle plant at its Oakville facility.

The automaker announced in 2023 it would build next-generation vehicles at the factory. However, in 2024, the company said it would use the Oakville location to build its F-Series Super Duty pickups instead, starting in 2026.

Government subsidies were also offered to GM Motors for various facilities, including one at Ingersoll, which produced electric vehicles. The company recently announced it would be pausing operations until October, leaving hundreds out of work.

Umicore’s battery facility near Kingston ceased construction in 2024 despite being offered government subsidies. The company said there was a declining demand for EVs. No plans have been announced to restart the building process.

Infrastructure Spending

The throne speech said the government would spend $200 billion on new and upgraded roads and highways in every part of the province. The money includes plans to build a tunnel under Highway 401 and expand public transportation, as well as plans to work with municipalities to get more homes built.

Premier Ford said his government would also allocate funding in skill development and training programs to help Ontario residents find work.

Crime and Health Care

The speech also touted moves Ford’s government has made toward reducing crime, including allocating funding for border security and closing down drug injection sites near schools and daycares, and transitioning them to recovery hubs. Ford said 19 more hubs were expected to open soon.

He also said the province would boost spending on health care, ensuring that everyone in the province had a primary care provider within the next four years.

The province will also look at spending $50 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade more than 50 hospitals across Ontario and plans to allocate $6.4 billion to build and upgrade 58,000 long-term care beds.