Ontario restaurants and bars struggling to stay afloat, worried about government support [Video]

After last month’s budget announcement, hospitality leaders are assessing how protected they are.

The new provincial budget, revealed on May 15, focused on key areas in response to damages caused by U.S.-imposed tariffs and subsequent complications from the ongoing trade war.

Numerous infrastructure and labour incentives to bolster Ontario’s economy were a major arm of the 2025-2026 budget, totalling a $200 billion price tag. Additional strategies implemented in the weeks before the announcement included a $1 billion provincial job training program, $9 billion in relief incentives, and several tax credit programs.

For financial experts like Joe Cote, chief growth officer at Merchant Growth, potential blind spots in the current budget and fears surrounding transparency are giving him pause for concern.

“These billions that the Ontario government wants to give to small businesses hit by tariffs are a very vague and ambiguous promise. I’ve been very much advocating for what the …