More than 30 businesses from Newmarket–Aurora gather in Aurora to share insights on the province’s 2026 Budget and government’s economic direction.
| NEWS | April 08, 2026 |
On Wednesday, Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Newmarket–Aurora, welcomed local business owners at Neighbour Media Studio in Aurora. More than 30 local businesses were represented at the Business Community Gathering, which focused on the province’s 2026 Budget and the government’s economic direction.
The event featured a panel discussion with Keith Loo, CEO and Co-Founder of the health-technology company Skinopathy, and Daniela Mazzaferro, Senior Small Business Consultant at the York Small Business Enterprise Centre (YSBEC). Attendees had an opportunity to hear firsthand how provincial investments are shaping innovation, entrepreneurship, and local economic growth.
In her remarks, MPP Gallagher Murphy highlighted the province’s introduction of the Protect Ontario Account Investment Fund, a new long-term strategic fund designed to attract major private and pension-fund investment into priority sectors such as energy, defence, AI, and advanced technology. She also underscored the government’s 30 per cent reduction in the small business corporate income tax rate—effective July 1, 2026—which will benefit more than 375,000 small businesses across Ontario.
Also in attendance was Samreen Khurram, a 2025 graduate of the YSBEC Summer Company Plus program.
The panelists discussed the impact of provincial incentives on business competitiveness, with particular attention to innovation programs and the government’s continued support for young entrepreneurs through initiatives such as the Summer Company program and local business counselling services.
Mr. Loo provided perspective on technology adoption in health care, including innovations used in Ontario’s long-term care sector, while Ms. Mazzaferro outlined resources available to startups, early-stage businesses, and youth entrepreneurs across the region.
During her remarks, MPP Gallagher Murphy also highlighted the government’s recent initiative to eliminate the provincial portion of the HST on new homes—an important measure aimed at increasing housing affordability and supporting new construction. Local realtor Wassim Jarrah, who also serves as a Director with the Ontario Real Estate Association, noted the on-the-ground impact he has witness since the announcement. He emphasized that this measure is creating positive momentum in the housing market, helping more families move toward home ownership and encouraging builders to bring new supply forward.
The evening concluded with an open Q&A session, where local business owners offered feedback on the provincial budget and shared their views on the government’s economic direction. MPP Gallagher Murphy noted that these conversations are essential in shaping future policy and ensuring that Newmarket–Aurora remains a strong centre for innovation, investment, and economic opportunity.
Photos from the event can be viewed here: LINK