From Tariffs to Transformation

How Ontario can turn global challenges into opportunity by investing in people, Indigenous culture, sports, and connection.

A New Moment for Ontario

As global trade becomes uncertain and the U.S. imposes new tariffs on Canadian goods, Ontario stands at a crossroads. For decades, our economy has relied on trade, manufacturing, and service industries tied to the U.S. market. But that model is showing cracks — and the next chapter of Ontario’s prosperity depends on what we build right here at home. This is our chance to take control of our own future. By investing in sports, Indigenous culture, and tourism, Ontario can create an economy built on creativity, community, and shared experience — one that no tariff or foreign policy can undermine. We can’t wait for solutions from abroad. It’s time to build prosperity from within.

From Service-Based to Experience-Based

Ontario’s foundation in hospitality, tourism, and services is strong — but the next step is transformation into an experience-based economy. That means giving people reasons to travel, stay, and spend — not just in Toronto or Ottawa, but in every community. When Ontario hosts sports tournaments, Indigenous festivals, concerts, and cultural events, we keep money circulating locally. Every ticket sold, every meal served, and every hotel room booked supports jobs, strengthens small businesses, and grows municipal revenues. When done right, these events can create thousands of jobs, lower property taxes, and bring new life to small and medium-sized cities.

Reviving Indigenous Culture and Sports

Ontario’s Indigenous Nations are essential to this vision. Their traditions — from lacrosse and canoe racing to snowshoeing, long-distance running, stickball, and powwow dance competitions — represent the original sports and celebrations of this land. These sports are more than recreation; they are expressions of identity, spirituality, and connection to the land. Reviving and investing in them offers a way to strengthen communities and educate the world about the origins of athleticism in North America.

Events like the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) already showcase Indigenous excellence across dozens of disciplines — from archery and canoeing to volleyball and wrestling. Ontario now has the opportunity to expand this success by hosting a truly international Indigenous Games, inviting athletes and spectators from around the world to celebrate Indigenous sport and culture on Canadian soil. Imagine visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and South America — regions where Indigenous peoples share similar ancestral traditions — coming to Ontario to compete, learn, and connect. These international Indigenous Games could become a cornerstone of Ontario’s cultural diplomacy and tourism strategy, bringing global recognition and economic benefit while advancing reconciliation through visibility, respect, and partnership.

By supporting Indigenous-led sports and cultural events, Ontario both preserves heritage and creates opportunity. These experiences build pride, create jobs, and strengthen Ontario’s position as a global cultural destination rooted in respect, inclusion, and partnership.

Expanding the Vision: Soccer as a Universal Connector

Alongside Indigenous sports, Ontario has a powerful opportunity to expand its reach through soccer — the world’s most popular and one of the most affordable sports to play. Soccer fields already exist across schools and communities throughout the province, making them a natural foundation for new regional tournaments, youth development programs, community leagues, and international friendlies. Pairing soccer events with cultural programming can unite Ontarians from all backgrounds while attracting global attention and tourism. In partnership with Indigenous Games and community sports, soccer helps balance economic opportunity, promote healthy living, create jobs for coaches and organizers, and bring international visitors to Ontario’s cities and towns year-round.

Building the Venues That Build the Future

To make this possible, Ontario must invest in modern, multi-use venues — stadiums, aquatic centres, cycling tracks, and cultural facilities that serve communities year-round. These aren’t short-term expenses. They are long-term assets that drive economic growth for decades. But the key is how we fund them — and here, we must learn from the past.

Learning from the Past: Why the P3 Model Failed

Ontario’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) model was designed to balance risk between governments and private developers. In practice, it often failed to deliver. Projects such as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT exposed the flaws of traditional P3s:

• Risk transfer existed only on paper. When costs rose, taxpayers still paid.
• Complex, secretive contracts made accountability impossible.
• Private profit came before public benefit.
• Rigid terms left no room for innovation or adaptation.

The result? Cost overruns, delays, and frustration for communities. The lesson is clear: partnerships must evolve.

A New Generation of Partnerships

Ontario can build smarter by redefining partnerships — focusing on transparency, community ownership, and local investment.

1. Public Development Trusts: Independent, publicly owned trusts can finance and manage new facilities with open books and citizen oversight. They ensure public ownership, fair labour, and long-term accountability.

2. Community Bonds and Co-Ownership: Allow residents and local businesses to invest directly through community bonds — funding arenas, cultural centres, and event venues. Returns go back to investors, keeping profits and decision-making within the community.

3. Tourism and Event Levies: A small, visible hotel or ticket surcharge can fund venue maintenance and cultural programming. Visitors fund the experience — residents reap the benefits through lower property tax pressure.

4. Provincial Sports and Culture Infrastructure Fund: A dedicated provincial fund can channel carbon revenue, gaming proceeds, or infrastructure bonds into long-term cultural and sports projects, prioritizing smaller cities and Indigenous communities.

5. Public-Cooperative Partnerships (PcoP): A modern replacement for the failed P3 model. Municipalities, Indigenous councils, and local business associations co-own facilities, sharing both risk and reward while keeping control local. This is partnership done right — collaborative, fair, and community-led.

Reviving Small and Medium Cities

This new approach spreads opportunity beyond Ontario’s biggest cities. Places like Kingston, Barrie, Guelph, Sudbury, North Bay, Orillia, and Owen Sound can become hosts for regional events that bring year-round business. When a city hosts a championship, festival, or concert, hotels and B&Bs fill up, restaurants and pubs thrive, local artisans attract new visitors, and tradespeople get steady work. Each event fuels local economies and creates stable jobs. When tourism and event revenues rise, cities rely less on property taxes — making communities more affordable and sustainable for residents.

Connectivity Makes It Possible

A connected Ontario is a thriving Ontario. Reliable intercity transit and infrastructure are the backbone of this plan. They allow people to travel easily — from a soccer match in Hamilton to an Indigenous Games ceremony in North Bay to a concert in Ottawa. Connectivity ensures that every community — big or small — shares the same opportunities for growth. Mobility fuels prosperity.

Why Now

With tariffs increasing and global markets tightening, Ontario cannot afford to wait. We must build an economy that is resilient, inclusive, and proudly our own. Investing in sports, tourism, and Indigenous culture is not a luxury — it’s a long-term economic strategy. It empowers small businesses, strengthens cities, and gives every Ontarian a stake in shared success. This is how we move from dependence to independence. This is how we transform Ontario’s economy for the next generation.

A Shared Vision for Ontario

Transformation isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about people — residents, Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities building something lasting together. Every arena, cultural centre, and event space represents hope, opportunity, and belonging. When Ontario builds together, Ontario thrives together. This is our moment. This is our transformation.