The Government of Ontario has opened up its pre-budget consultation period for submissions from members of the public. This is a great time to share your thoughts on what should be included and prioritized in the next provincial budget when it comes to improving income security for low-income Ontarians.
The deadline to submit all comments is February 3, 2025.
There are a few ways to get involved. Most of the options are listed on the government’s dedicated Budget 2025 website here but we have listed them out for you below as well:
Use the government’s online suggestion portal. You can structure your answers the way the government suggests (top 3 suggestions) or you can put your ideas into a Word or PDF document and upload it. You can choose either of these options on the “Submit Your Proposal” website linked directly here.
Fill out the government’s survey here. Every question gives you a chance to write in more thoughts under the “Other” option. Don’t hesitate to write about the issues most important to you, even if you don’t see them listed. If you need more space to share your ideas, try the online suggestion portal too. The survey is open until February 3, 2025.
Write out your thoughts and send them in by mail but NOTE that Canada Post workers are currently striking for better working conditions (read more here) so your mailed comments may not get to the province before the submission deadline of February 3, 2025.
Address your letter to:
The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy
Minister of Finance
c/o Budget Secretariat
Frost Building North, 3rd Floor
95 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1Z1
Note: Postage is required for mail sent to Ontario government representatives including the Premier. It is not required for mail sent to Federal government representatives.
Apply to speak directly to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. You can apply to speak to the Committee at this link. Choose “Yes” and then “2025 Pre-Budget Consultations” from the drop-down menu and follow the prompts. You can also submit a written brief through that link instead of applying to speak.
The Committee has organized its meetings according to region. Here are deadlines to apply to speak, and the dates of when the meetings in each location will be held:
| Location | Deadline to Sign Up | Date of Meeting/Hearing |
| Timmins | 5 pm, November 25, 2024 | December 3, 2024 |
| Manitoulin Island | 5 pm, November 25, 2024 | December 4, 2024 |
| Kenora | 5 pm, November 25, 2024 | December 5, 2024 |
| Stratford | 5 pm, December 6, 2024 | December 16, 2024 |
| Ottawa | 5 pm, December 27, 2024 | January 9, 2025 |
| Leamington | 5 pm, January 6, 2025 | January 14, 2025 |
| St. Catharines | 5 pm, January 6, 2025 | January 15, 2025 |
| Hamilton | 5 pm, January 6, 2025 | January 16, 2025 |
| Stouffville | 5 pm, January 17, 2025 | January 27, 2025 |
| Mississauga | 5 pm, January 17, 2025 | January 28, 2025 |
| Toronto | 5 pm, January 17, 2025 | January 29, 2025 |
| Peterborough | 5 pm, January 17, 2025 | January 30, 2025 |
Follow the directions and link above the chart to apply to speak at any of these in-person consultations.
Need some inspiration and tips on how and what to write?
Stay tuned for our 2025 pre-budget submission, to be published on our website ahead of the February 3 deadline. You can incorporate our 2025 recommendations into your submission.
Read some of our previous budget commentary, submissions, and documents. We’ve written a lot of analysis and commentary on previous budget decisions, including the government’s recent Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, released in October 2024. Check out all of our posts tagged “Provincial Budgets” by clicking here. Last year we made ten major recommendations in our budget submission, calling for the province to make investments in justice for workers, income security programs, and to close the digital divide. Check out ISAC’s budget submission from last year here.
Share your words from the heart! Don’t be afraid to share your personal story when submitting your thoughts on how the government can improve and invest in income security.
Keep it brief. If you’re sending in a written submission, try to keep it to 500 words or less. If you are chosen to appear as a “witness” before the Committee (meaning if you are given the opportunity to speak directly to the Committee), plan to speak for two to three minutes maximum. Practice and time yourself. Be aware that Committee members may ask you follow up questions.
Let your MPP know about the budget issues you care about too. In addition to participating in the budget consultation process noted above, consider sending your written submission or your general thoughts to your MPP. They need to hear from you too! You can use your postal code to find your MPP and their contact info at this link here.