Ontario’s August Changes Bring New Costs and Rules

Ontario residents will see a wide range of provincial and municipal changes take effect throughout August 2026, affecting student aid, seniors’ benefits, highway speeds, hotel taxes and public services.

The changes do not begin on one single day. Many start August 1, while others arrive later in the month through scheduled regulatory deadlines and local bylaws.

Student Aid Becomes More Loan-Heavy

For study periods beginning on or after August 1, Ontario will change the provincial portion of the Ontario Student Assistance Program. Students can receive no more than 25 per cent of provincial aid as grants, while at least 75 per cent will come as repayable loans.

Students attending private career colleges will receive their entire provincial allocation as loans. The overall amount awarded may not fall, but students could graduate with substantially more debt. Publicly assisted colleges and universities may also raise domestic tuition by up to two per cent annually beginning in fall 2026.

Seniors’ Drug and Dental Limits Rise

Ontario’s annual seniors’ drug-benefit year restarts August 1. Seniors above the income limits must again pay the first $100 of eligible prescription costs before receiving greater coverage.

New income limits also begin for the Seniors Co-Payment Program and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. A single senior can qualify with annual net income of $25,480 or less, while the limit for a couple rises to $42,290. Eligible seniors can have the drug deductible waived and pay up to $2 per prescription.

Higher Highway Speeds Arrive

Ontario will raise posted speed limits from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on several highway sections in two August phases. Routes changing August 21 include portions of Highways 7, 115, 400, 416 and 417.

Additional sections of Highways 401 and 403 will change August 31. The province says limits are increasing only on roads designed for higher speeds. Standard speeding penalties and the 150-km/h stunt-driving threshold remain in effect.

Election Deadlines and Local Changes

Candidates for Ontario’s October 26 municipal and school board elections must file nominations by 2 p.m. on August 21. Municipal clerks must certify or reject nominations by August 24, with additional deadlines later that week for offices without candidates.

Toronto’s temporary Municipal Accommodation Tax increase ends July 31, returning the rate from 8.5 per cent to six per cent on August 1.

Ottawa’s Safe Access By-law also takes effect August 1. Approved facilities, including schools, places of worship and health-care sites, may receive 50-metre zones intended to protect entrances from obstruction and certain disruptive activities.

Other August measures affect physiotherapists, electricity distributors, waste-transport companies and provincial reporting. Brampton and Greater Sudbury will adjust transit service, while several municipalities will introduce new water, tax-relief, development-charge or procurement rules.

Some changes apply provincewide, while others affect only particular cities, professional groups, businesses or construction projects during the month and beyond, depending on location and circumstance.

Residents and businesses should confirm details with the responsible government or municipality because dates, eligibility rules and local requirements vary.