Tuesday, March 24, 2026 The Ups and Downs of Budget 2026 While the province’s budget did contain some good news, it remains an outlier when it comes to a tax credit for volunteer firefighters Ontario Emergency Services Emergency Medical Services We were disappointed that the 2026 Ontario budget, released March 26, 2026, did not introduce a provincial volunteer firefighter tax credit. Ontario remains one of the few provinces without a separate provincial tax credit for volunteer firefighters, and our advocacy will continue ahead of next year’s budget. British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador all have provincial measures or credits in place for volunteer firefighters. What the government did do this year was maintain the enhanced $20 million Fire Protection Grant for the 2026–27 cycle, supporting cancer prevention initiatives, better response to lithium-ion battery-related incidents, and critical broadband and Internet upgrades for municipal fire departments. The budget also continues stronger support for small, rural, and northern municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, which is being brought to $600 million annually and helps communities deliver emergency services. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026