Budget information 2022

Get involved in the budget process-  key steps

A key component to developing the budget is hearing from you! To help you better understand how Ottawa plans its spending every year – and how you can get involved – we have broken down some of the  key steps that go into developing the City’s budget.

Develop budget guidelines and priorities

This occurs at the start of a 4 year Council term. Guidelines and priorities are derived from several key documents including the Long Range Financial Plan, the Fiscal Framework and the Strategic Plan.

Set budget timetable

This occurs in the summer or early fall. It involves the Council approval of the Budget Directions report which provides the direction for annual City budgets. It outlines dates for the tabling of the draft budget and approval of the budget.  Questions can be directed to your member of Council.

Draft budget preparation

In the summer and fall, the draft budget is created. During this period, members of the community can provide input in a variety of ways including online tools and surveys, Councillor led public consultation sessions and communication with the Mayor and Council. 

Draft budget presented to City Council 

In November, the draft budget is presented to Council, and the public.  In the weeks following, the budget is reviewed by the Standing Committees.  Each Standing Committee reviews part of the City budget.  Citizens have the opportunity to register and make a presentation at any of the Standing Committee meetings.

 The draft budget, and the schedule for the standing committee meetings are published on Ottawa.ca.

Approve the final budget

Council approves the entire budget in early December. The approved budget details ares published on Ottawa.ca in the new year.

Note:  In an election year, this is delayed until the new year.

Councillor led public budget consultations will be held virtually using Zoom unless otherwise indicated. 

If you have any questions, please submit them to your Councillor.  Check the ward listing for contact information.

Schedule for councillor led public budget consultations

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

City Services and where they report to - Standing Committee Reporting Structure - Budget 2022

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.  

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

How the City of Ottawa compares

*City of Calgary: tax increase mitigated by 1-time rebate of $52 million