OntarioPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 180 explained in plain English

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024

Finance & Taxation Economy, Business & Trade Justice & the Law

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

How This Type of Bill Becomes Law Official source

At a glance

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Legislature / Parliament

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Session

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill number

Bill 180

Full title

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024

Current status

Passed

Latest event

Royal Assent received

Last updated

May 16, 2024

Sponsor

Peter Bethlenfalvy

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Current Stage

Royal Assent received

Latest Activity

May 16, 2024

Sponsor

Peter Bethlenfalvy

Plain-language explanation

In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing

Short Version

The Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 enacts the Building Ontario Fund Act and the Ontario Loan Act, 2024, and amends various other acts related to taxes, pensions, and film credits, while also increasing penalties for certain tobacco tax offences.

What It Means

The Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024, enacted as law on May 16, 2024, makes various changes to Ontario's laws. It establishes the Building Ontario Fund, amends tax laws related to fuel, gasoline, and liquor, modifies rules for pension plans concerning target benefits, and updates penalties and fines under the Tobacco Tax Act. It also makes technical changes to the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998, and the Taxation Act, 2007 regarding tax credits for film and television productions. The Act also allows the government to borrow up to $15.9 billion through the new Ontario Loan Act, 2024.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Building Ontario Fund by continuing the Ontario Infrastructure Bank as a corporation under a new name, with provisions for its objects, board of directors, CEO, and powers.
Enacts the Ontario Loan Act, 2024, authorizing the Lieutenant Governor in Council to borrow up to $15.9 billion for Ontario's obligations or payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Amends the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998, to include references to small estate certificates.
Amends the Fuel Tax Act and Gasoline Tax Act to extend the period for tax reductions related to clear fuel and gasoline purchases until December 31, 2024.
Repeals a provision in the Liquor Tax Act, 1996, related to the basic tax rate on Ontario wine and wine coolers purchased from onsite winery retail stores, and includes transition rules.
Amends the Pension Benefits Act regarding unproclaimed provisions related to target benefits, including requirements for written policies, criteria for target benefits, conversion proposals, and information requests from the Chief Executive Officer.
Amends the Taxation Act, 2007, to change the eligibility requirements for the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit, including definitions and conditions for 'eligible production'.
Amends the Tobacco Tax Act to increase fines for certain offences, including new provisions for possession of unmarked cigarettes or fine cut tobacco, and adjusts penalty ranges and additional fines.
Repeals specific sections of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022, the Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020, and the Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017.
Amends the Financial Administration Act to provide an exception for certain short-term loans that are repaid within one day.

Who Is Affected

The Province of Ontario (through the Minister of Finance and the Consolidated Revenue Fund)
The Building Ontario Fund (formerly Ontario Infrastructure Bank)
Companies and individuals involved in infrastructure projects
Purchasers of clear fuel and gasoline
Purchasers of Ontario wine and wine coolers
Administrators and members of pension plans, particularly those providing target benefits
Businesses claiming tax credits for computer animation and special effects
Individuals and entities involved in the purchase, sale, or possession of unmarked tobacco products
Estates and beneficiaries subject to estate administration tax
Individuals and entities subject to temporary bank loans under the Financial Administration Act

Rights, Duties, Or Obligations

The Building Ontario Fund has the capacity, rights, powers, and privileges of a natural person for carrying out its objects.
The Minister of Finance may borrow sums for specific purposes if repaid within one day, as an exception under the Financial Administration Act.
The tax reduction period for clear fuel and gasoline is extended to December 31, 2024.
Pension plan administrators must ensure that documents creating and supporting plans with target benefits include specific written policies.
Administrators of pension plans converting benefits to target benefits must file policies and consult with trade unions and associations.
New requirements apply for determining eligibility for the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit.
Increased fines and penalties apply for violations of the Tobacco Tax Act, including new offences related to possession of unmarked tobacco.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council may authorize borrowing up to $15.9 billion under the Ontario Loan Act, 2024.

Important Dates

The Act received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Most provisions of the Act came into force on this day.
Some schedules have specific commencement dates, such as April 1, 2024, or are subject to proclamation.
The extended tax reduction period for fuel and gasoline ends on December 31, 2024.
Borrowing under the Ontario Loan Act, 2024, is authorized until December 31, 2026, with a deadline for borrowing of December 31, 2027.
Amendments to the Taxation Act, 2007, regarding specified labour costs for tax credits refer to dates such as March 26, 2024, and April 23, 2015.

Financial Or Tax Impacts

Enactment of the Building Ontario Fund Act, 2024, which will involve investments in Ontario infrastructure projects.
Authorization for the Province of Ontario to borrow up to $15.9 billion under the Ontario Loan Act, 2024.
Extension of tax reductions for fuel and gasoline purchases until December 31, 2024.
Repeal of a tax rate provision for Ontario wine and wine coolers under the Liquor Tax Act, 1996.
Amendments to the Taxation Act, 2007, may affect eligibility for tax credits for computer animation and special effects.
Increases in monetary fines and penalties under the Tobacco Tax Act.

Enforcement Or Penalties

The Tobacco Tax Act is amended to increase fines for contravening subsection 29 (1) or (2). New penalties include fines of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000, plus an additional fine of up to five times the tax amount, and a potential imprisonment of up to two years for possession of 100,000 or more unmarked cigarettes or 100,000 grams or more of unmarked fine cut tobacco.
Penalties for other offences under section 29 of the Tobacco Tax Act are also increased, with higher minimum and maximum fines and adjusted additional fines.
The Pension Benefits Act introduces requirements for administrators to provide information to the Chief Executive Officer for compliance verification, implying potential consequences for non-compliance, although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.

Uncertainties Or Limits

The extent of activities and operations of the Building Ontario Fund are subject to policies and directives issued by the Minister.
The Minister of Finance may issue regulations or declarations that exempt the Building Ontario Fund from acting as a Crown agent for specific contracts.
Specific details on the types of infrastructure projects the Building Ontario Fund can invest in, or any requirements for public interest alignment beyond general statements, are subject to ministerial approval and policies.
The application of some amendments to the Pension Benefits Act depends on future regulations ('prescribed time', 'prescribed rules', 'prescribed requirements').
The precise commencement dates for certain provisions of the Act are to be proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor.
The Bill does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with certain amendments to the Pension Benefits Act, beyond the requirement to provide information upon request.
The Bill does not specify the exact amount or specific conditions for the 'small estate certificates' mentioned in the amendment to the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998.

Laws Or Regulations Affected

Building Ontario Fund Act, 2024

enacts

This Act establishes the Building Ontario Fund, continuing the Ontario Infrastructure Bank under a new name. It outlines the corporation's objects, board of directors, CEO, and powers.

Source: SCHEDULE 1

Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998

amends

A technical amendment is made to the definition of 'estate certificate' to include small estate certificates.

Source: SCHEDULE 2

Financial Administration Act

amends

Section 23 is amended to allow the Minister of Finance to borrow sums for specific purposes if they are repaid within one day, creating an exception to rules governing temporary bank loans.

Source: SCHEDULE 3

Fuel Tax Act

amends

The period for a tax reduction on clear fuel, which was set to end on June 30, 2024, is extended to December 31, 2024.

Source: SCHEDULE 4

Gasoline Tax Act

amends

The period for a tax reduction on gasoline, which was set to end on June 30, 2024, is extended to December 31, 2024.

Source: SCHEDULE 5

Liquor Tax Act, 1996

amends

Subsection 27 (1) is repealed, which had set a basic tax rate on Ontario wine and wine coolers purchased from onsite winery retail stores. Transition rules are included if the Act receives Royal Assent after April 1, 2024.

Source: SCHEDULE 6

Ontario Loan Act, 2024

enacts

This Act authorizes the Crown to borrow up to $15.9 billion for purposes such as discharging indebtedness or making payments authorized by any Act.

Source: SCHEDULE 7

Pension Benefits Act

amends

Unproclaimed provisions related to target benefits are amended, introducing new requirements for written policies, modifying criteria for target benefits, and adding rules for benefit conversions and information requests by the Chief Executive Officer.

Source: SCHEDULE 8

Taxation Act, 2007

amends

Amendments are made to the requirements determining eligibility for the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit, including updated definitions for 'eligible production' and new conditions for labour expenditures.

Source: SCHEDULE 9

Tobacco Tax Act

amends

Fines for certain offences are increased, with new provisions for possession of unmarked cigarettes or fine cut tobacco, and adjustments to fine ranges and additional penalties.

Source: SCHEDULE 10

Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022

repeals

Subsections 1 (2) and (3) of Schedule 7 are repealed.

Source: SCHEDULE 8, Section 7

Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020

repeals

Subsections 18 (2) and 21 (1) of Schedule 37 are repealed.

Source: SCHEDULE 8, Section 8

Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017

repeals

Section 29 of Schedule 33 is repealed.

Source: SCHEDULE 8, Section 9

Ontario Regulation 333/23

revokes

This regulation concerning the Ontario Infrastructure Bank is revoked.

Source: SCHEDULE 1, Section 34

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1

First reading

Mar 26, 2024

Step 2

Second reading

May 8, 2024

Step 3

Committee review

May 8, 2024

Step 4

Third reading

May 16, 2024

Step 5

Royal assent

May 16, 2024

Vote Summary

Yes

Abstain

Absent / Other

Final recorded vote

May 16, 2024

97 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.

Sponsor

Peter Bethlenfalvy

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Pickering—Uxbridge

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

Representative	Role	Riding	Party	Vote	Notes
Amarjot Sandhu MPP	MPP	Brampton West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrew Dowie MPP	MPP	Windsor—Tecumseh	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Anthony Leardi MPP	MPP	Essex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Aris Babikian MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Agincourt	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Pang MPP	MPP	Markham—Unionville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Riddell MPP	MPP	Cambridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Saunderson MPP	MPP	Simcoe—Grey	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Christine Hogarth MPP	MPP	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Daisy Wai MPP	MPP	Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dave Smith MPP	MPP	Peterborough—Kawartha	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
David Smith MPP	MPP	Scarborough Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP	MPP	Newmarket—Aurora	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Deepak Anand MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Malton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP	MPP	Oakville North—Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hardeep Singh Grewal MPP	MPP	Brampton East	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney MPP	MPP	York—Simcoe	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Charmaine A. Williams MPP	MPP	Brampton Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Donna Skelly MPP	MPP	Flamborough—Glanbrook	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Downey MPP	MPP	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Ford MPP	MPP	Etobicoke North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. George Pirie MPP	MPP	Timmins	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graham McGregor MPP	MPP	Brampton North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graydon Smith MPP	MPP	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kevin Holland MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Atikokan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kinga Surma MPP	MPP	Etobicoke Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Laurie Scott MPP	MPP	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson MPP	MPP	Huron—Bruce	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael A. Tibollo MPP	MPP	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael Parsa MPP	MPP	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael S. Kerzner MPP	MPP	York Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Mike Harris MPP	MPP	Kitchener—Conestoga	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta MPP	MPP	Mississauga Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nina Tangri MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Streetsville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nolan Quinn MPP	MPP	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Paul Calandra MPP	MPP	Markham—Stouffville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP	MPP	Pickering—Uxbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP	MPP	Brampton South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho MPP	MPP	Scarborough North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sam Oosterhoff MPP	MPP	Niagara West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stan Cho MPP	MPP	Willowdale	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Crawford MPP	MPP	Oakville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Lecce MPP	MPP	King—Vaughan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Steve Clark MPP	MPP	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Todd J. McCarthy MPP	MPP	Durham	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Trevor Jones MPP	MPP	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Victor Fedeli MPP	MPP	Nipissing	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Rouge Park	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jess Dixon MPP	MPP	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Jordan MPP	MPP	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Yakabuski MPP	MPP	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Kaleed Rasheed MPP	MPP	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Laura Smith MPP	MPP	Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Logan Kanapathi MPP	MPP	Markham—Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lorne Coe MPP	MPP	Whitby	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Matthew Rae MPP	MPP	Perth—Wellington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Natalie Pierre MPP	MPP	Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Patrice Barnes MPP	MPP	Ajax	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rick Byers MPP	MPP	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robert Bailey MPP	MPP	Sarnia—Lambton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robin Martin MPP	MPP	Eglinton—Lawrence	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rudy Cuzzetto MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Sheref Sabawy MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Stéphane Sarrazin MPP	MPP	Glengarry—Prescott—Russell	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Todd Smith MPP	MPP	Bay of Quinte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Vincent Ke MPP	MPP	Don Valley North	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Adil Shamji MPP	MPP	Don Valley East	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Aislinn Clancy MPP	MPP	Kitchener Centre	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrea Hazell MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Bhutila Karpoche MPP	MPP	Parkdale—High Park	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine Fife MPP	MPP	Waterloo	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chandra Pasma MPP	MPP	Ottawa West—Nepean	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Glover MPP	MPP	Spadina—Fort York	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
France Gélinas MPP	MPP	Nickel Belt	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Guy Bourgouin MPP	MPP	Mushkegowuk—James Bay	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jamie West MPP	MPP	Sudbury	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jeff Burch MPP	MPP	Niagara Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens MPP	MPP	St. Catharines	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer K. French MPP	MPP	Oshawa	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Joel Harden MPP	MPP	Ottawa Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Fraser MPP	MPP	Ottawa South	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Vanthof MPP	MPP	Timiskaming—Cochrane	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lise Vaugeois MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Superior North	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mary-Margaret McMahon MPP	MPP	Beaches—East York	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Michael Mantha MPP	MPP	Algoma—Manitoulin	Independent	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mike Schreiner MPP	MPP	Guelph	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Monique Taylor MPP	MPP	Hamilton Mountain	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peggy Sattler MPP	MPP	London West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peter Tabuns MPP	MPP	Toronto—Danforth	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sandy Shaw MPP	MPP	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sol Mamakwa MPP	MPP	Kiiwetinoong	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Bowman MPP	MPP	Don Valley West	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephen Blais MPP	MPP	Orléans	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Ted Hsu MPP	MPP	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Terence Kernaghan MPP	MPP	London North Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Teresa J. Armstrong MPP	MPP	London—Fanshawe	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tom Rakocevic MPP	MPP	Humber River—Black Creek	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Wayne Gates MPP	MPP	Niagara Falls	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced