Budget 2025 Information

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Draft Budget 2025

This report provides a high-level summary and overview of the Draft 2025 Tax and Rate Supported Operating and Capital Budgets tabled at City Council on November 13, 2024. These budgets are summarized in this report, while the budget books for each Standing Committee provide detailed proposed changes in each service area.  

The Draft 2025 Operating and Capital Budget reflects an increase of 2.9 per cent for the Citywide levy and Police Services levy, and eight percent for the Transit levy. The budget tabled on November 13, 2024, adheres to Council’s direction of setting a municipal tax increase of no more than 2.9 per cent for Citywide tax levy supported departments, which includes funding for Ottawa Public Library and Ottawa Public Health. The Ottawa Police Services’ draft budget reflects a Police Services levy increase of no more than 2.9 per cent. The rate supported budget is set in accordance with the approved 2017 Long Range Financial Plan (LRFP) V – Water, Wastewater and Stormwater supported programs. The Garbage Fee is increased in accordance with the approved Solid Waste Services Master Plan adjusted to Councils direction of a seven per cent increase for 2025. 

The Draft 2025 Transit Operating and Capital Budget continues to make significant investments in Transit through a gross Draft 2025 Operating and Capital Budget of $855.6 million. This represents the largest City of Ottawa Transit budget and one of the largest annual increases at 11.4 per cent.  

The Draft 2025 Transit budget includes several levers which have been endorsed by the Transit LRFP working group and balances significant investments in transit and the $120 million deficit identified in the Fairness for Ottawa campaign. 

  1. Anticipated funding of $36M from the federal and provincial governments for the Draft 2025 budget, as part of the Fairness for Ottawa Campaign in consideration of the $120 million 2025 funding deficit
  2. A Transit levy increase of eight per cent
  3. A fare increase of five per cent
  4. Fare discount adjustments for seniors and school boards, itemized as part of the tabled Draft 2025 Transit Budget details
  5. Operating efficiencies of $12.4 million with minimal service impacts
  6. $21.3 million in Capital efficiencies/deferrals as part of the tabled Draft 2025 Transit Budget
  7. Ridership projections of 80 per cent of 2019 levels

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Audit Committee

Community Services Committee

Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee

Environment and Climate Change Committee – Tax Supported

Environment and Climate Change Committee – Rate Supported

Finance and Corporate Services Committee

Planning and Housing Committee

Transportation Committee

Transit Commission

Draft Budget 2025 Magazine and Explorer

With a complex budget, the City has introduced new supports like this Budget Magazine and the Draft Budget 2025 Explorer to make understanding and engaging in the budget process easier.

This magazine provides insight into how the budget is created, what elements make up the budget, some of the key financials, an update on service reviews as well as highlights from over 100 lines of services that are advancing Council’s strategic priorities.

The Budget Explorer offers user-friendly interactive charts, graphs and tables to enhance financial literacy and transparency.

Draft Budget 2025 Magazine

Draft Budget 2025 Explorer

 

Table of City Services and Standing Committee reporting structure

City Services and where they report to - Standing Committee Reporting Structure. 

Each City service reports to a Standing Committee.  Below is a list of City services, department names and the name of the Standing Committee that each service reports to.   

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Planning Services - Development Review Rural and Rural Affairs Planning, Development and Building Services Department  

Audit Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Auditor General  Office of the Auditor General 
External Audit External Audit

Community Services Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Children's Services  Community and Social Services Department 
Community Safety, Well-Being, Policy and Analytics  Community and Social Services Department 
Employment and Social Services  Community and Social Services Department 
Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development  Community and Social Services Department 
General Manager and Business Support Services – Community and Social Services  Community and Social Services Department 
Housing and Homelessness Services  Community and Social Services Department 
Long-Term Care  Community and Social Services Department 
Parks Maintenance Services  Public Works Department 
Community Recreation, Culture and Sport Services  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department 
Complexes, Aquatics, and Specialized Services  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department 
Facility Operations Service  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department 
General Manager and Business and Technical Support Services – Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department 
Parks and Facilities Planning  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department 

Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
By-Law and Regulatory Services  Emergency and Protective Services Department 
General Manager and Business and Technical Support Services - Emergency and Protective Services  Emergency and Protective Services Department 
Ottawa Fire Services  Emergency and Protective Services Department 
Ottawa Paramedic Service  Emergency and Protective Services Department 
Public Policy Development - Emergency and Protective Services  Emergency and Protective Services Department 
Public Safety Service  Emergency and Protective Services Department 

Environment and Climate Change Committee - Rate Supported

City Service  Department Name 
Drinking Water (Water Linear and Customer Service/ Water Facilities and Treatment Services)  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Stormwater, Laboratory and Municipal Drainage Services  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Wastewater (Water Linear and Customer Service/ Water Facilities and Treatment Services)  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 

Environment and Climate Change Committee - Tax Supported

City Service  Department Name 
Asset Management Services  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
General Manager and Business and Technical Support Services - Infrastructure and Water Services Department  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Infrastructure Services  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Forestry Services  Public Works Department 
Solid Waste Services  Public Works Department 
Climate Change and Resiliency   Strategic Initiatives Department 

Finance and Corporate Services Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
City Manager's Office  City Manager's Office 
Public Information and Media Relations  City Manager's Office 
Digital Service and Innovation  City Manager's Office 
Elected Officials  Elected Officials 
Corporate Finance  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Financial Strategies, Planning and Client Service  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
General Manager and Chief Financial Officer -and Business Support Services - Finance and Corporate Services Department  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Human Resources  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Information Technology Services  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Office of the Chief Information Security Officer    Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Payroll, Pension and Benefits  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Revenue Services  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Service Ottawa  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Supply Services  Finance and Corporate Services Department 
City Clerk  Office of the City Clerk 
Legal Services  Office of the City Solicitor 
Economic Development  Strategic Initiatives Department 
Housing Solutions and Investment Services   Strategic Initiatives Department 
General Manager, Business Support Services and Strategic Projects  Strategic Initiatives Department 
Light Rail Stage 2 Planning and Implementation Program  Transit Services Department 

Planning and Housing Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Building Code Services   Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
General Manager and Business Technical Support Services, Planning, Development and Building Services   Planning, Development and Building Services 
Long-Range Land Use Planning  Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Planning Services  Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Right of Way, Heritage, and Urban Design  Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Affordable Housing Development    Strategic Initiatives Department 

Transportation Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Fleet Services   Finance and Corporate Services Department 
Right of Way, Road Cut Permits  Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Transportation Planning  Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
General Manager and Business and Technical Support Services – Public Works Department    Public Works Department  
Operational Performance and Development Services   Public Works Department 
Parking Services  Public Works Department 
Roads Services  Public Works Department 
Traffic Services  Public Works Department 

Transit Commission  

City Service  Department Name 
OC Transpo – bus, Para Transpo and light rail  Transit Services Department 
   

Local Boards/Other Governing Bodies 

City Service  Board 
Committee of Adjustment  Committee of Adjustment 
Ottawa Police Service  Ottawa Police Services Board 
Ottawa Public Health  Ottawa Board of Health 
Ottawa Public Library  Ottawa Public Library Board 

Draft Budget 2025 meeting schedule
Standing Committee / Board  Date  Time 
Board of Health - Budget Tabling  Monday, November 4, 2024    5:00pm 
Public Library Board - Budget Tabling  Tuesday, November 5, 2024    5:00pm 
Police Services Board - Budget Tabling (special meeting)  Wednesday, November 13, 2024    8:30am 
Council – Budget Tabling 
  • All City Services 
  • Police Services* 
  • Library Services*  
  • Public Health*  
  • Office of the Auditor General 
  • Committee of Adjustment 
* In addition to this Council meeting, the Boards hold their own meetings to table their respective budgets  		Wednesday, November 13, 2024  10:00am 
Environment and Climate Change Committee  Tuesday, November 19, 2024     9:30am 
Planning and Housing Committee  Wednesday, November 20, 2024     9:30am 
Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee    Thursday, November 21, 2024     9:30am 
Transit Commission  Monday, November 25, 2024  9:00am 
Police Services Board    Monday, November 25, 2024    4:00pm 
Community Services Committee   Tuesday, November 26, 2024     9:30am  
Transportation Committee  Thursday, November 28, 2024     9:30am 
Audit Committee  Monday, December 2, 2024 9:30am 
Board of Health    Monday, December 2, 2024  5:00pm 
Finance and Corporate Services Committee    Tuesday, December 3, 2024     9:30am 
Public Library Board     Tuesday, December 3, 2024    5:00pm 
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee    Thursday, December 5, 2024    10:00am 
Council – Budget Consideration / Adoption    Wednesday, December 11, 2024     10:00am 

*Meeting dates and times are subject to change at the discretion of the respective Chair 

Councillor led public consultations for Draft Budget 2025
Date Councillor Ward Location  Time
Monday October 7, 2024 Theresa Kavanagh  Ward 7 Bay Virtual: Registration required (External) 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM
Laine Johnson Ward 8 College
Sean Devine Ward 9 Knoxdale - Merivale
         
Monday October 16, 2024 Ariel Troster Ward 14 Sommerset Virtual (External) 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM
Jeff Leiper Ward 15 Kitchissippi
         
Monday October 21, 2024 Rawlson King Citywide - Equity Budget Consultation 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
         
Tuesday October 22, 2024 Clarke Kelly Ward 5 West Carleton-March West Carleton Community Centre - 5670 Carp Road, Ottawa 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
         
Wednesday October 23, 2024 Matt Luloff Ward 1 Orléans East-Cumberland Rideau Valley Conservation Centre - 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Ottawa 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Clarke Kelly Ward 5 West Carleton-March
Catherine Kitts Ward 19 Orléans South-Navan
George Darouze Ward 20 Osgoode
David Brown Ward 21 Rideau-Jock
         
Thursday October 24, 2024 Rawlson King Ward 13 - Rideau-Rockcliffe Virtual: Registration required (External) 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM
         
Saturday October 26, 2024 Matthew Luloff Ward 1 Orléans East-Cumberland Ray Friel Recreation Complex, Rendez-Vous Room - 1585 Tenth Line Road, Ottawa  12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Laura Dudas Ward 2 Orléans West-Innes
Tim Tierney Ward 11 Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Catherine Kitts Ward 19 Orléans South-Navan
         
Tuesday November 19, 2024  David Hill Ward 3 Barrhaven West Virtual (External) 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM
David Brown Ward 21 Rideau-Jock
Steve Desroches  Ward 22 Riverside South-Findlay Creek
Wilson Lo Ward 24 Barrhaven East
         
Wednesday November 20, 2024 Jessica Bradley Ward 10 Gloucester-Southgate  Jim Durrell Recreation Centre - 1265 Walkley Road, Ottawa 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Riley Brockington  Ward 16 River
Shawn Menard Ward 17 Capital
Marty Carr Ward 18 Alta Vista
         
Thursday November 21, 2024 Stéphanie Plante Ward 12 Rideau Vanier Virtual: Registration required (External) 7:00 PM  - 8:30 PM
         
Tuesday November 26, 2024  Cathy Curry Ward 4 Kanata North
  • In-person: Tony Graham Recreation Complex, Hall A - 100 Charlie Rogers Pl., Ottawa
  • Virtual: Registration required (External)
 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Allan Hubley Ward 23 Kanata South
Glen Gower Ward 6 Stittsville
  *Dates will be added once provided by the Councillors office

We want your input on Ottawa's budget
The City is developing its budget and we want your feedback.
Wondering how you can provide your feedback on this and future budgets?
There are year-round options to provide your feedback.
You can: Submit your ideas to your Ward Councillor.
Follow and engage with us on Facebook and X @ottawacity, using the hashtag #OttBudget
Each fall, the City seeks Council approval of its budget directions, which includes setting the recommended municipal tax rate and outlining the approach and timetable for consultation and consideration.
Once this is approved, you can participate in the budget consultations on Engage Ottawa. 
In November, the budget is tabled at a special Council meeting.
Following tabling, residents can provide feedback on the draft budget in the following ways: Participate in Councillor-led public consultations.
Ask questions on Engage Ottawa.
Community delegations can register to make a brief presentation to each Standing Committee considering a budget
Following these Committee meetings, Council approves its budget at a special meeting in December. It’s your budget, so have your say.
We look forward to hearing from you!

How does the City compare with other municipalities

Find out how the City budget affects your property taxes, and what your taxes pay for.

If you are interested in learning more about municipal assessments and how Ottawa compares to other Ontario municipalities pleas take a look at 2022 Municipal Study conducted by BMA Management Consulting Inc.

How the City of Ottawa compares

Taxation increases for major Canadian cities 2014 to 2024
City 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Cumulative Total Compounded Total
Ottawa 1.91% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 3.00% 3.00% 3.00% 3.00% 2.50% 2.50% 26.91% 30.44%
Toronto 2.23% 2.75% 1.30% 3.29% 2.91% 3.58% 2.00% 0.51% 2.90% 5.50% 9.50% 36.47% 42.78%
Edmonton 4.92% 5.70% 4.10% 3.10% 3.20% 2.60% 2.08% 0.00% 1.90% 4.96% 8.90% 39.86% 47.54%
Calgary 5.00%* 4.20% 6.10% 0.00% 3.80% 3.45% 1.50% -1.66% 3.61% 5.50% 7.80% 39.30% 46.61%
Vancouver 1.90% 2.40% 2.30% 3.90% 4.24% 4.50% 8.20% 5.00% 6.35% 10.70% 7.50% 56.99% 73.71%

Get involved in the budget process - Have your say

There are many ways to stay informed and participate in the budget process

Year-round

  • Submit your ideas to your Ward Councillor 
  • Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Rural residents call 613-580-2400  
  • Follow and communicate with us on Facebook and X @ottawacity, using the hashtag #OttBudget  

September - October

Participate in the budget consultations on Engage Ottawa 

September

The Budget Directions Report is presented to Council in September.  The purpose of the report is to provide Council with an outline of the projected pressures that the City will be facing, including: 

  • A list of projected efficiencies and opportunities 
  • Impacts related to Provincial and Federal funding 
  • Impacts related to compensation and benefit increases from contract settlements 
  • Impacts related to inflationary pressures such as fuel and capital driven by the supply chain and economic conditions
  • The proposed annual increase in property taxation 
  • Outlining the budget allocation targets for the Boards and Transit Commission  

September-November

Following the Budget Directions Report by Council, staff build the draft budget. 

November

  • The draft budget is tabled at Council in November. 
  • Following tabling, residents can provide feedback on the draft budget in the following ways: 
    • Participate in Councillor-led public consultations. Check back regularly on this page or on Engage Ottawa as dates will be added when they are available 
    • Ask questions on Engage Ottawa  
    • Follow along with Standing Committee meetings. At the meetings, there is an opportunity for community delegations to register and make a brief presentation to the Standing Committee.

December

Council will consider the draft budget for adoption in December. The adopted budget books will be updated and posted on Ottawa.ca