Ontario Premier Doug Ford used his New Year’s Day message to strike an optimistic tone for 2026, highlighting recent economic initiatives and reaffirming his government’s focus on competitiveness, infrastructure investment and affordability amid ongoing global uncertainty.
In a statement released Wednesday by the Premier’s Office, Ford acknowledged that the past year posed significant challenges for Ontario and Canada, particularly in the face of trade tensions and broader economic pressures. He framed those challenges as a catalyst for action, pointing to efforts aimed at strengthening the province’s economic resilience and reducing reliance on external markets.
“Happy New Year, Ontario!” Ford said in the statement.
“As we ring in 2026, I want to extend my best wishes to everyone across our great province for a happy, safe and prosperous new year.”
Ford said 2025 tested the province but also underscored a renewed sense of unity and shared purpose. He emphasized measures taken to address economic headwinds, including steps to improve internal trade within Canada and investments intended to bolster long-term growth.
“This past year brought many challenges, but it also saw our province and country come together like never before in support of our shared values and home,” Ford said. “In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, we made major progress on our plan to protect Ontario by tearing down barriers to internal free trade within Canada, investing in better services and infrastructure and unlocking our vast critical mineral reserves, with work set to begin on the roads to the Ring of Fire by June 2026.”
The Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in northern Ontario, has long been viewed as a potential driver of economic development, particularly as demand grows for critical minerals used in electric vehicles and clean technologies. Ford’s reference to road construction timelines signals a renewed push to advance a project that has faced years of delays due to environmental, logistical and consultation challenges.
Looking ahead, the premier positioned Ontario as seeking to compete on a global stage while strengthening domestic capacity. He said the government’s priorities for 2026 include protecting workers, supporting families and building what he described as a more self-reliant economy.
“In the year ahead, our government will continue to protect Ontario workers and families through our plan to build the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7,” Ford said. “We will continue investing to build new highways, transit, homes, schools and hospitals, keeping workers on the job and meeting the needs of our growing province.”
Infrastructure spending has been a central pillar of the Progressive Conservative government’s economic strategy, with large-scale transportation and housing projects framed as both job creators and solutions to population growth pressures. Ford reiterated that approach, linking construction activity directly to employment and service delivery.
Health care and education also featured prominently in the New Year’s message, with Ford pointing to what his government has characterized as record levels of investment. He highlighted a long-term commitment to improving access to primary care, while stressing the need to balance spending with cost-of-living concerns.
“We will also continue our record investments in health care, education and other services, including through our plan to connect everyone in the province to primary care by 2029, while also remaining focused on keeping costs down to make life more affordable for the people of Ontario,” he said.
Affordability remains a key political and economic issue in Ontario, as households contend with higher interest rates, housing costs and everyday expenses. Ford’s remarks suggest the government intends to keep cost containment and economic growth tightly linked in its policy messaging for the year ahead.
The statement concluded with a broad message to Ontarians as the province enters 2026.
“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I wish everyone across the province all the very best in 2026!” Ford said.
The New Year’s message offers an early indication of the themes the Ford government is likely to emphasize in the coming months: economic competitiveness, major capital investments and a focus on resilience in an uncertain global environment.
