Ontario projects $2.6 billion more in pandemic spending since fall budget

Ontario expects to spend an additional $2.6 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province says that brings its one-time pandemic spending to $13.3 billion.

The funds were provided to the province from the federal government and Ontario says they have now all been allocated.

In its third quarter financial report released Wednesday, the province says the additional $2.6 billion will go toward creating a previously announced grant program for small business, and to support hospitals and long-term care homes.

Ontario's projected deficit remains at $38.5 billion, unchanged since the 2020 budget was released in November.

The province says it has set aside a $3.9 billion contingency fund —up by an additional $2.1 billion — to address any further spending needs from the pandemic for the rest of the fiscal year.