Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens appears to be happy with the 2026 Ontario Budget.
The $244.2-billion budget was announced on Thursday afternoon, featuring $101.2-billion allocated for health care, $40.8-billion for education, and $14-billion for post-secondary education.
Dilkens points out that the budget includes several provisions for the Windsor area, such as ongoing support for a new interchange linking Highway 401 to Lauzon Parkway, funding for the new Fancsy Family Hospital project which will have 594 beds (including 101 net new beds), continued assistance for the Next Star Energy plant, and ongoing support for the HART Hub.
In June 2023, Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed plans to build a new interchange between Lauzon Parkway and Highway 401-a project expected to cost over $125-million-to facilitate more development in the Sandwich South region.
This interchange will also aid the construction of the Fancsy Family Hospital located at County Road 42 and the 9th Concession. The total cost of building this hospital remains unclear and wasn’t specified in the budget, even though the province is covering 90 percent of it.
Dilkens mentions that there’s no need for a dollar amount related to the 401 interchange in this budget because city officials aren’t ready to extend Lauzon Parkway in 2026.
“A report going to city council on Monday discusses our Sandwich South infrastructure program and how we plan on connecting Cabana Road down to the 401. We’ll need to align our funding with provincial funding, but that proposed clover leaf or half clover leaf is about $125-million. It’s a significant investment needed to open up access at the 401.”
Dilkens emphasizes that adding net new beds at Fancsy Family Hospital is essential as the region continues its growth.
“You’ve got to build a hospital and create rooms for those beds; then you actually need nurses and healthcare workers who staff those beds. So it’s an overall increase-net new beds-for Windsor-Essex which is great because now’s not too late for design work ensuring there’s enough space planned for future expansion.”
He’s satisfied with what’s been done so far for Windsor.
“Support for Next Star remains strong, aiding workers in training and skill development.. Windsor gets mentioned positively too. HART Hubs are expanding at St. Joseph’s Catholic School-adding another 184 student spots.. so there are solid initiatives happening.”
Dilkens also expresses his approval regarding eliminating the 13 percent HST on eligible buyers of new homes, expanding home healthcare services, and lowering small business corporate income tax rates.
The province anticipates ending this fiscal year with a deficit of $12.3 billion-down from last year’s projected deficit of $14.6 billion-and forecasts a deficit of $13.8 billion in 2026-27, significantly higher than earlier estimates of $7.8 billion.
-with files from AM800’s The Shift with Patty Handysides
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