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 The Power of Asking for Help 20 Jul 2026 How to Manage an Insecure Leader 16 Jul 2026 Heat of the Moment 13 Jul 2026 The Power Within Is No Yolk! 13 Jul 2026