Introduction
Ontario’s economy has shown resiliency in 2023 in the face of elevated economic and geopolitical uncertainties. While inflationary pressure has eased following a rapid series of interest rate increases by the Bank of Canada, the impact of higher interest rates weighs on the economic outlook for the remainder of the year and into 2024.
The 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario, released in March, maintained a prudent and responsible fiscal plan that would balance the budget in 2024–25 — three years earlier than forecast in the last Budget — and targeted supports to help people and businesses. Ontario’s fiscal policy aligns with the Bank of Canada’s goal to restore price stability, and will support the economy while laying a strong fiscal foundation.
Despite the resiliency of Ontario’s economy so far in 2023, the province is not immune to any potential economic slowdown, which is why the government will continue with its responsible, targeted approach to support people and businesses through these uncertain times, while building a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.
Ontario’s balanced approach has not gone unnoticed. Following the 2023 Ontario Budget, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and DBRS Morningstar have all placed Ontario’s credit ratings on positive outlook, while Fitch confirmed Ontario’s credit rating with a stable outlook.
Against this backdrop, the government is releasing the 2023–24 First Quarter Finances, which provides updated information about the evolution of Ontario’s economic and fiscal outlook since the 2023 Ontario Budget.
The government plans to provide its next economic and fiscal update as part of the 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, to be released by November 15, 2023.
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