Our response to opportunities and gaps in Budget 2026 in Ontario

The Centre’s Executive Director, Sarah Stern, released the following statement following its tabling in the Ontario legislature by Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy.

“Today’s Ontario’s Budget outlines the province’s continued commitment to protecting the economy from various external pressures that impact affordability for Ontarians. As an organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity in Canada, we continue to support policies and programs that could make life more affordable and make healthy food more accessible for those Ontarians in need. This includes measures announced in the past year and reaffirmed in this budget such as exempting the Canada Disability Benefit as income allowing Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works recipients to receive their full entitlement without any impact to provincial benefits.

“With that said, we believe that there are gaps remaining where the province could address food insecurity and improve health outcomes by supporting the most vulnerable communities. While programs like the School Food Nutrition program can make a meaningful impact for many Ontarians, the province has an opportunity to support targeted investments into communities through a Food Prescribing (Food Rx) Program – which would provide healthy, fresh foods like fruit and vegetables to thousands of Ontarians who suffer from diet-related health conditions like type-2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

“The province and the finance minister have said in the past that they are looking for programs that will consider the untenable expanding cost of health care. We believe a Food Rx program that supports people experiencing food insecurity to afford food can deliver significant positive health outcomes for the people of Ontario. In addition, this program could alleviate pressures on our health care system by decreasing hospital admissions related to these illnesses and increase attachment to family physicians by incentivizing visits to a health care practitioner.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Ontario to capitalize on the significant investments and contributions made to date and bring a successful Food Rx program to Ontario.”