Every year, the Ontario government prepares its provincial budget. The budget is a blueprint determining where investments will be made, what priorities will be advanced, and how public dollars will shape the future of the province.
For the engineering profession, this moment is critical. The issues Ontario faces today, like climate resilience, infrastructure renewal, energy transition, housing supply, digital security, and public health, are engineering issues at their core.
Population growth is accelerating. Housing demand is at historic levels. New tariffs and supply-chain pressures are increasing construction and energy costs. At the same time, Ontario’s energy grid is undergoing massive transformation. Climate impacts are intensifying, and global competition for skilled labour is at an all-time high. Engineers across fields are essential to designing, building, and safeguarding the systems we rely on every day.
OSPE’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission recommendations can build a stronger, safer, more competitive Ontario.
Our recommendations reflect the experience and insights of engineers working on the front lines of infrastructure, energy systems, transportation, sustainability, public health, and emerging technologies.
Here are some of the key themes:
1. Building a Future-Ready Engineering Workforce
Ontario cannot meet its housing, energy, transportation, and climate goals without a robust engineering workforce. Our submission calls for strengthened STEM pathways, modernized postsecondary engineering programs, bridging programs for international engineering graduates, flexible work models to improve retention and support equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility goals, and investments that expand participation for women, Indigenous peoples, and underrepresented communities.
A strong engineering workforce creates a strong Ontario.
2. Modernizing Our Energy System
Ontario needs a long-term, integrated energy strategy that aligns electricity, thermal systems, renewables, storage, and emerging technologies like distributed small modular reactors.
We call for investments that keep the grid affordable, reliable, and resilient.
3. Transforming Transportation and Mobility
Ontario needs transit reliability, regional connectivity, active transportation networks, EV infrastructure, and intelligent mobility systems to support housing growth, reduce emissions, and move people and goods efficiently. In areas where driving remains essential, OSPE calls for the integration of safe road design to protect our communities.
4. Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Stormwater systems are aging. Extreme heat and flooding are becoming more frequent. Construction costs are rising due to tariffs and supply chain disruptions.
To save money long-term and protect communities, OSPE calls for lifecycle-based construction standards, low-carbon materials, circular construction practices and resilient design for buildings and infrastructure.
5. Accelerating Green and Decentralized Technologies
Ontario has the talent and technology to lead globally. Our submission highlights smart building systems, energy storage, advanced wind and cleantech innovation, decentralized water and wastewater systems, wastewater heat recovery and green IT infrastructure as solutions to support housing expansion, reduce emissions, and strengthen competitiveness.
6. Protecting Public Health with Clean Indoor Air
Indoor air quality is one of the most overlooked public health challenges of our time.
Our pre-budget submission calls for ventilation and filtration upgrades, real-time monitoring, and ASHRAE-aligned legislation. Cleaner air means fewer illnesses, better learning outcomes in education institutions, and stronger productivity in workplaces.
7. Securing Ontario’s Digital Future
As cybersecurity threats grow and AI adoption accelerates, sensitive systems like Ontario’s energy grids, water networks, and transit systems must be protected.
We call for investments in cybersecurity infrastructure, ethical AI frameworks, strong data governance, and workforce development in digital engineering.
What’s Next?
Every recommendation in this document has a direct impact on the lives of Ontarians.
Throughout 2026, OSPE will meet with provincial ministries, members of provincial parliament, and policy teams to discuss policy recommendations that are important to engineers.
We encourage policymakers, industry partners, and the engineering community to engage with us, share insights, and collaborate on advancing these priorities.
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