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OntarioPermanentlyCuttingtheGasTax andTakingTollsOffHighway407East
Province keeping costs down for families in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty
As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the governmentiscontinuingtolowercosts forhard-workingfamilies,supportlocal businesses and put more money back into people’spocketsthroughitsplantopermanentlycut thegasolineandfueltaxrates,whichwouldsave households, on average, about $115 per year goingforward.Thegovernmentisalsoproposing to remove tolls from the provincially owned Highway 407 East, which is expected to save dailycommutersanestimated$7,200annually.
“I know that families and business ownersareworriedaboutrisingcosts,especially as U.S. tariffs threaten to raise the price of everyday essentials,” said Premier Doug Ford. “That’s why we’re cutting the gas tax permanentlyandtakingtollsoffHighway407East,and that’swhywe’llalwayskeeplookingforwaysto putmoremoneybackintothepocketsofOntario families.”
To provide ongoing relief to households and businesses in Ontario, the government is introducing legislation through its 2025 Budget that would, if passed, make the cut to the gas and fuel tax rate permanent, keeping the provincialratesoftaxat nine cents per litre.This permanent measure would support continued relief at the pumps, building on the $1.7
billion that households have saved since the government first announced temporary cuts to thegasolineandfueltaxratesin2022.
“Ontario families have seen prices on everydayitemsgoupoverthelastseveralyears,” saidPeterBethlenfalvy,MinisterofFinance.“To help Ontarians cope with the high cost of living and the impacts of the economic uncertainty causedbytariffs,wearecontinuingtotakeaction to ease the pressure and do more to help lower costsforhouseholds.”
Tohelplowercostsandfightgridlock,the governmentisintroducinglegislationthatwould, if passed, permanently remove tolls from the provincially owned section of Highway 407, from Brock Road to Highway 35/115, effective June 1, 2025. This is the last stretch of provincially owned tolled highway in Ontario and follows the government’s previous removal of tollsfromHighways412and418,anditsrecent legislationbanningnewroadtollsonanypublic roadwayinOntario.
“Ourgovernmentismakingiteasierand more affordable for Ontarians to get where they need to go, when they need to get there,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The measures announced today will not only help to reduce traffic and commute times, but they will help put money back in the pockets of hardworking families at a time when it matters most.Thisisanotherstepinourworktoprotect Ontario by building a more efficient, affordable andaccessibletransportationnetwork.”
Thegovernmentiscommittedtokeeping costsdownforcommuters.Additionalinitiatives thegovernmenthastakenincludetheelimination of licence plate renewal fees and stickers and freezing fees for driver’s licences and Ontario PhotoCards,whichcombinedwithpreviouscuts to gas and fuel tax rates have saved individuals andfamiliesover$1.8billioninthelastyear.
“Our government is focused on protecting jobs and reducing costs for families, as we stand up for Canada against U.S. tariffs,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “By permanently cutting the gas tax, we’re fulfilling our commitment to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families, whereitbelongs.”
More information about the government’s plan to protect Ontario, grow our economy and make Ontario the most competitive jurisdictionintheG7toinvestwillbeincludedin the2025Budget,tobereleasedonMay15,2025.
Ontario temporarily cut the gasoline tax rateby5.7centsperlitreandthefuel(diesel)tax rateby5.3centsperlitreonJuly1,2022,andhas extendedthecutsfourtimes.
The price consumers pay at the pump is made up of the cost of crude oil, wholesale margins, retail margins, federal excise tax, Ontariogasoline/fueltaxandHST.
While the government has taken action on tax rates for unleaded gasoline and fuel (diesel), there will be no change to tax rates for leadedgasolineoraviationfuel.
OntarioGettingHomesandInfrastructureBuiltFasterandSmarter
Province introducing legislation and new funding to cut red tape and speed up home construction in partnership with municipalities
Today, Ontario is introducing the Protect OntariobyBuildingFasterandSmarterAct,2025 to help speed up the construction of new homes and infrastructure, including by streamlining developmentprocessesandreducingcostsinclose partnership with municipalities. The province is alsoincreasingitshistoricinvestmentinhousingenablinginfrastructurebyadding$400millionin immediate funding to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) and Municipal HousingInfrastructureFund(MHIP)foratotalof nearly $2.3 billion over four years across the HEWSFandtheMHIP.
“We are taking bold action to protect Ontario in the face of economic uncertainty by speedingupconstructionsowecanlowerhousing costs and keep workers on the job,” said Rob Flack,MinisterofMunicipalAffairsandHousing. “The legislation we’re tabling today responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders, and will help build the homes and infrastructureOntarioneeds.”
The Protect Ontario by Building Faster
and Smarter Act, 2025, if passed, and related actionswould:
Spurnewconstructionbysimplifyingand standardizing development charges based on measuresthatweredevelopedinconsultationwith municipalities, including measures that some municipalitieshavealreadyimplemented.Ontario will work with municipalities to continue simplifying, streamlining and reducing costly local development fees that can add hundreds of thousandsofdollarstothecostofnewhomes.
Remove barriers for Canadian manufacturerswhowanttointroduceinnovativematerials, systems and building designs that could reduce constructioncostsandexpediteprojects.
Streamline and improve planning and delivery for transit-oriented communities, creatingmorejobsandhousingoptionsneartransit. Reducecostsandspeedupprojectapprovalswith consistent building construction standards across Ontariomunicipalities.
THEODORE “TED” CASTILLOUX 1927-2025
Significantly speed up getting shovels in the ground to build major transit projects by extending measures in the BuildingTransitFasterAct,2020 toallprovincialtransitprojects.
Un service funéraire aura lieu le samedi 31 mai 2025 à 11h à la paroisse Sacré-Coeur-de-Jésus (21, rue Lansdowne, Chapleau), suivi par une réception à la salle paroissiale. Par la suite, l'enterrement au Cimetière de Sultan aura lieu. La famille recevra les condoléances à l'égliseSacréCoeurlesamedi31mai de 10h à 11h. Au lieu de fleurs, vos témoignages de sympathies peuvent se traduire par un donàl'égliseSacré-Cœur-de-JésusàChapleau,Ontario. Pour offrir vos condoléances ou faire un don, visitez le www.lessardstephens.com
THEODORE “TED” CASTILLOUX 1927-2025
AfuneralservicewillbeheldonSaturdayMay31,2025at 11 a.m. at Sacré-Coeur-de-Jésus church (21 Lansdowne St, Chapleau) followed by a luncheon in the parish hall, and interment at the Sultan Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday May 31st from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sacré-Coeur-de-Jésus church. In lieu of flowers, remembrancedonationscanbemadetoSacre-Coeur-de Jesus-Church in Chapleau, Ontario. Online condolences anddonationscanbemadeatwww.lessardstephens.com
Simplify, streamline and bring consistency and transparencytodevelopmentapplications, land use planning approvals, and contents of municipal official plans.Thesechangeswouldmake it easier and faster to build residential,commercialandindustrial buildings within and across Ontario’smunicipalities.
Ontario’s road building standards can differ across the province’s 444 municipalities, causing unnecessary cost and delays.The province will consult with municipalities and stakeholders by fall 2025 on framework legislation for greater harmonization and clarified governance of municipal standards, which will lead to cost savings through more efficient design and technical review, greater construction efficiencies and streamlined procurement processes.
“Wearepullingoutallthe stops to protect and build up Ontario during this time of economic uncertainty,” said
Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our expanded investments will ensure we can build evenmorehomes,createmorejobsandprotectthe most critical infrastructure that people depend on everyday.”
Through HEWSF, the province has alreadyallocatednearly$1.3billionforwaterand waste-water infrastructure projects that will enabletheconstructionofapproximately600,000 homes. Ontario has also invested approximately $700 million in MHIP. Combined with the new $400 million ($315 million for HEWSF and $85 million for MHIP) this brings the new total investmenttonearly$2.3billion.
“I applaud Premier Ford, Minister Flack, andtheGovernmentofOntariofortakingboldand creativeactiontoaddressthehousingcrisis,”said StevenDelDuca,MayorfortheCityofVaughan. “Thestatusquosimplyisn’tworking,andfamilies acrossOntario—includingmine—deservetosee realchange.Iwantmykidstohavetheopportunity toownahomeinthecitywheretheygrewup.In Vaughan, we’re doing our part by reducing development charges by 50 per cent and using everytoolavailabletogetmorehomesbuilt,faster. Iwelcometheprovince’sleadershipincuttingred tape,standardizingapprovals,andbuildingamore efficient,affordablefutureforallOntarians.”
Through the Building Faster Fund, the governmenthasalsoprovidedmunicipalitieswith $286.8 million for community and housingenabling infrastructure last year, along with $120 million dedicated for small, rural and Northern municipalities without housing targets which is being delivered through the HEWSF and MHIP. Thisisinadditiontothe$1billioninflexibleloans forhousing-enablingwaterinfrastructureprojects available to municipalities through the InfrastructureOntarioLoanProgram.
“I’mgratefulfortheprovince’sleadership in introducing these much-needed measures to address the housing crisis,” said Carolyn Parrish, Mayor for the City of Mississauga. “Municipalities cannot tackle this challenge alone -- we need supportlikethistocutredtape,streamlineapprovals, and create the conditions for faster, more affordable housing development. Mississauga’s Housing Task Force has demonstrated that bold reforms and innovative policies can drive real progress, and these provincial measures will encouragecitiesacrossOntariotoacceleratetheir ownhousinginitiatives.Thiskindofcollaboration across all levels of government is critical to meetingtheurgenthousingneedsofourresidents and building a more sustainable future for residentsalloverOntario.”
Centre culturel Louis-Hémon
Les élèves de l’école secondaire Trillium créent des capteurs de rêves avec Stéphanie TangieChapleau — En collaboration avec le Centre culturel Louis-Hémon, les élèves de l’école secondaireTrillium ont eu la chance de participer à un atelier de fabrication de capteurs de rêves, animé par madame StéphanieTangie.Cette activité s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet Vice-Versa, une initiative qui vise à tisser des liens significatifs entre les élèves et des membres de la communauté locale. Par le
biais d’expériences culturelles et créatives, le projet encourage les échanges intergénérationnels et valorise les savoirs et traditions de la région.Pour le moment, nous avons le plaisir de partager avec vous quelques photos de cette belle activité, mais le meilleur reste à venir. Le projet complet sera dévoilé au mois de juin, une fois toutes les étapes finalisées.Restez à l’affût pour découvrir le fruit de cette collaboration enrichissante entre les jeunes et leur communauté.
Monique O'Hearn du Centre culturel Louis-Hémon s'envole vers Lyon avec Réseau Ontario Chapleau — Monique O'Hearn, Coordonnatrice du Centre culturel Louis-Hémon, fera bientôt partie d'une délégation canadienne qui s'envolera pour Lyon, en France, à l'occasion de la vingt-quatrième édition du Festival Changez d'Air, qui se tiendra du 20 au 24 mai 2025. Organisée par Réseau Ontario, cette mission culturelle représente une vitrine internationale exceptionnelle pour la francophonie canadienne ainsi que pour la promotion des artistes d'ici. Deux artistes franco-canadiens, récipiendaires du prix Changez d'Air lors de Contact ontarois 2025, seront en prestation lors du festival, soit Moonfruits, avec leur univers poétique entre rêve et chanson, ainsi que Shawn Jobin, figure montante du hip-hop francocanadien.
Monique O'Hearn se joindra à deux autres diffuseurs culturels francophones de l'Ontario afin de
représenter les arts et la culture des régions de la province. Il s'agit de Marie-Claude Sabourin, directrice générale du Centre culturel Les trois p'tits points à Alexandria, ainsi que d'Arnaud Claude, directeur général des Compagnons des francs loisirs à North Bay.
Cette mission vise à renforcer les liens entre les scènes francophones européennes et canadiennes, à accroître la découvrabilité des artistes franco-ontariens et à offrir de nouvelles perspectives aux organismes de diffusion comme le Centre culturel Louis-Hémon. Ce projet est rendu possible grâce au soutien de précieux partenaires, notamment Musicaction, Ontario Creates, le Conseil des arts de l'Ontario et le Festival Changez d'Air.
Monique O'Hearn s'engage à partager des photos de son voyage, ainsi qu'à son retour. Le Centre culturel Louis-Hémon invite la communauté à suivre l'aventure sur sa page Facebook au nom de @CCLHchapleau.
weekssolutions
MOMENTS IN TIME
On May 26, 1897, Bram Stoker's now iconic horror novel "Dracula" went on sale in London. Stoker's editors had deleted the first 101 pages from his manuscript and altered the text to seem less "real," since there just so happened to be a serialkillerknownasJacktheRipperontheloose inthecityatthattime.
Preparingyourhomeforextremeweather
(NC) Forty years ago, Canada experienced 19 natural disasters per decade, on average. That number has now increased to 133. From extremeheattowildfiresand flooding, incidences of extreme weather are on the rise. While we can’t change the weather, there are things thatcanbedonetopreparefor major events and lessen their impactonourhomes.
“With more people impacted by extreme weather, preparation matters,” says Carla Smith, Chief Climate Officer at Intact. “Small measures taken today can save time, money, and stressdowntheroad.Thereare simple maintenance steps you can take to reduce the risk of flooding and wildfire to your homeandtheycantypicallybe completedinlessthanaday.”
helppreventwildfiresfromspreading.
Reducetheriskofflooding.Thesimplest way to help reduce the risk of flooding is with regular maintenance of your home, both inside andoutside,twiceayear.Thisincludesremoving debris from storm drains and cleaning out eavestroughs, checking for leaks in plumbing fixturesandappliances,testingyoursumppump andcleaningoutthebackwatervalve.Besureto also keep obstructions well away from floor drains.
Beattheheat.Therearemanysimpleand cost-effective home upgrades available to help moderate temperature. Consider planting shade trees,growingvinesoveryourbrickwalls,deck orbalcony,aswellasusingfansforaircirculation andinstallingheat-resistantglazingonwindows. During periods of extreme heat, these steps will helplowerthetemperatureofyourhomewithout solelyrelyingonanairconditioningunit.
The reality of climate change is that Canadians are experiencing more wildfires, homes are being flooded from torrential rain events, and more people are being impacted by extremeheat.
Wildfires.Ifyoulivenear forests and grasslands, keeping combustiblegroundcoversuch asmulchandplantsatleast1.5 metres, about one and a half baseball bats, from the house perimeter is a must. Keep the lawn mowed to less than 10 centimetres,orabouttheheight of a pop can, and plant lowgrowing, well-spaced shrubs and other fire-resistant plants. Adding a non-combustible three-millimetre screen to all external vents, except for the dryer vent, along with fencing made of cement fiber boards, metal,chainlinkorstonewithin 1.5 metres of the house can all
Learn more about helping prepare your home for extreme weather events at intact.ca/protection.
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