New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

A few notable rules and deadlines in Ontario will be kicking in next month that will impact property owners, businesses, and everyday taxpayers.

From important declaration deadlines to landmark rules about how businesses can operate on long weekends, there are some significant changes you need to be aware of.

Here are the new laws and rules coming to Ontario in May 2026.

Toronto Vacant Home Tax (VHT) deadline

Toronto's VHT program requires homeowners to declare if their property is occupied or vacant every year, in an effort to increase the city's housing supply and encourage owners of vacant properties to sell them or rent them out.

Owners who keep their properties vacant are subject to the tax, and the revenue collected from this program is then allocated to affordable housing initiatives. Property owners will need to submit their declaration by April 30, 2026, and those who are subject to the tax will be issued a VHT notice in May 2026.

Owners of residential properties that are vacant for six months or more during the taxation year will be subject to the tax, along with those who fail to make a declaration of occupancy status by the deadline.

To make your declaration, you'll need your customer number along with the 21-digit assessment roll number from your property tax bill, property tax account statement, or Vacant Home Tax notice.

Payments for the VHT will be due in three equal amounts on Sept. 15, Oct. 15, and Nov. 16, 2026.

Ontario proposes to allow retailers to stay open on Victoria Day

Back in March, the provincial government announced that it was proposing changes that would allow retail businesses across the province to stay open on Victoria Day, while also maintaining protections for those who wish to take the day off.

Under the proposal, which would also apply on Family Day in February, retail businesses would have the option to stay open on the holiday, and eligible retail employees could work and earn time-and-a-half premium pay, along with automatically receiving their full public holiday pay.

The province notes that since Victoria Day and Family Day are non-religious, statutory holidays, they are "well‑suited for a harmonized retail framework."

All employee rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), including public holiday pay, premium pay, and the right for many retail employees to refuse work on a public holiday, would remain in place.

"Currently, retail business holiday rules vary significantly across municipalities, creating a fragmented and confusing patchwork for consumers and an uneven playing field for businesses and their employees. In some municipalities, stores may open on these holidays, while in neighbouring regions they are required to close," the province notes.

"As a result, a worker in one area of the province such as York Region, has the choice to take on time‑and‑a‑half premium pay shifts while a similar worker in Peel Region is not given that same option. The proposed changes will address these gaps by bringing a fairer, more consistent approach for these two holidays that will enhance consumer convenience, give more choice to workers and allow business to thrive."

The provincial government is aiming to have these changes take effect in time for Victoria Day 2026, which falls on Monday, May 18.

Personal income tax deadline

If you have not done so yet, you have only a few days left to file and pay your taxes ahead of the April 30, 2026, deadline.

Failing to file and pay your taxes on time could result in your being charged interest and penalties starting in May 2026, and disrupting your benefit and credit payments, including GST/HST credit, Canada child benefit, and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits.

On its website, the Canada Revenue Agency notes that it will start charging daily compound interest on any outstanding balance you may have from the day after the balance is due until your balance is paid in full.

Payments can be made via any of the electronic payment options, a cheque, or debit at your Canadian bank or credit union with a remittance voucher, or cash or debit at any Canada Post outlet for a fee if you have a remittance voucher with a QR code or a self-generated QR code.