Separate deals with the cities of Belleville, Peterborough and North Bay, and Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville will spur the construction of hundreds of housing units and lay the groundwork for the development of thousands more.

"A new crisis is on the horizon. If U.S. tariffs play out as threatened, the economic impact would be severe."

Reducing interprovincial barriers could open up new markets for Ontario's electricity that are insulated from ongoing trade uncertainty with the United States, the report said.

Employment activity was most notable among young workers, where unemployment rates decreased by one percentage point – from 15% to 14% – over the 12-month period.

The Progressive Conservative, Liberal and NDP leaders have all said their full platforms will come "soon," with the election now one week away.