Ontario Launches Reviews of Key Agencies to Support Long-Term Sustainability and Protect Taxpayers

Reviews will help provincial agencies continue to deliver world-class frontline services

The Voice of Canada

The Ontario government is strengthening oversight of key provincial agencies by launching a series of reviews to ensure they are sustainable and that the vital frontline services that families and businesses rely on are protected and continuously improved. The reviews will focus on efficiency, governance and productivity to ensure value for taxpayer dollars and to allocate more resources to improving core services.

“Ontario’s agencies are central to our government’s plan to protect Ontario, delivering vital services that millions of families, workers and businesses rely on every day,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board. “By launching these reviews, our government is ensuring agencies have the strong financial footing needed to improve operations while respecting taxpayer money.”

As laid out in the 2026 provincial budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is building on the responsible management that has seen the Ontario Public Service grow at a rate substantially lower than that of the federal government and other provinces and territories, while at the same time redirecting the ratio of front-office staff to back-office staff from 50:50 in 2019-20 to 60:40 in 2025-26. The actions announced today will expand on this proven approach by strengthening the oversight of key provincial agencies, with the goal of improving front-line service delivery and supporting these agencies’ long-term financial sustainability.

Despite reducing the number of agencies from 191 to 137 since 2018, taxpayer spending continues to increase at provincial agencies. As a result, the government implemented an agency hiring freeze in 2025 that has avoided nearly $300 million in costs to the public and cut consultant usage by 20 per cent. Starting this summer, the province will review Metrolinx, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Supply Ontario, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, Legal Aid Ontario, Agricorp, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

These agencies have been selected based on their reliance on government funding, financial performance, size and complexity, and workforce growth trends. Ministries and the Treasury Board Secretariat will work to identify credible opportunities to improve operations and maintain long-term sustainability, while continuously improving services.

From requiring regular quarterly reporting by agencies to ensuring appropriate leader-to-staff ratios, Ontario continues to implement higher standards of accountability and fiscal discipline across the agency sector.

Quick Facts

• Agencies involved in the initial review process have been notified of the work being launched.
• Agencies will be key partners with ministries and will be expected to identify opportunities to improve productivity, enhance efficiency, and support the delivery of high-quality services to the public.