Draft Budget 2026

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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 (Rural) Planning, Development and Building Services Department  
Rural Affairs Office Planning, Development and Building Services Department  
Roads Services (Rural roadside ditch maintenance) Public Works Department

Audit Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Auditor General  Office of the Auditor General 

Community Services Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Children's Services Community and Social Services Department
Community Recreation, Culture and Sport Services Department Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department
Community Safety, Well-Being, Policy and Analytics  Community and Social Services Department 
Complexes, Aquatics, and Specialized Services  Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department
Employment and Social Services  Community and Social Services Department 
Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations Services Community and Social 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
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 and Facilities Planning Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department
Parks Maintenance Services  Public Works 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

City Service  Department Name 
Asset Management Services Infrastructure and Water Services Department
Climate Change and Resiliency Services Strategic Initiatives Department
Drinking Water (Water Linear and Customer Service/ Water Facilities and Treatment Services)  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Forestry Services Public Works Department
General Manager and Business and Technical Support Services - Infrastructure and Water Services Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Solid Waste Services Public Works Department
Stormwater, Laboratory and Municipal Drainage Services  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Infrastructure Services Infrastructure and Water Services Department 
Wastewater (Water Linear and Customer Service/ Water Facilities and Treatment Services)  Infrastructure and Water Services Department 

Finance and Corporate Services Committee 

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

Planning and Housing Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Building Code Services   Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Strategic Housing Projects (Affordable Housing) Strategic Initiatives Department 
General Manager and Business Technical Support Services, Planning, Development and Building Services   Planning, Development and Building Services 
Planning Services (Urban) Planning, Development and Building Services Department 
Right of Way, Heritage, and Urban Design Services Planning, Development and Building Services Department 

Public Works and Infrastructure Committee 

City Service  Department Name 
Fleet Services   Finance and Corporate 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 
Right of Way, Heritage and Urban Design Services Planning, Development and Building Services Department
Roads Services  Public Works Department 
Traffic Services  Public Works Department 
Transportation Planning Services Planning, Development and Building Services Department

Transit Commission  

City Service  Department Name 
Transit Services (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 

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?

Here is how Ottawa compares to Ontario's top 10 largest cities (based on population). The 2024 property taxes listed below were based on the average residential 2 storey home in each Municipality. 

Municipality 2024 Property Taxes
Toronto $7,068
Mississauga $6,781
Windsor $6,633 
Hamilton $6,469
Brampton $6,195
Markham $5,983
Vaughan $5,729
Kitchener $5,568
Kingston $5,535
London $5,405
Ottawa $5,349
 

**Average of 2024 Property Taxes for Toronto East, West, North and South.

Source* BMA Management Consulting Inc. Municipal Study 2024.

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  

April - November

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 

Councillor led public consultations for Draft Budget 2026

Date Councillor Ward Location Time
May 21, 2025 Shawn Menard 17 Hybrid session
  • In-person at St. Paul University, Multi-purpose room (fully accessible). Register here.
  • Online via Zoom. Register here.
6:00-8:00 pm
June 23, 2025 Rawlson King 13 In-person session
  • Overbrook Community Centre, in the Main Hall (fully accessible), 33 Quill Street.
  • Register here.
6:30-8:30 pm
June 26, 2025 Ariel Troster and Jeff Leiper 14 and 15 In-person session
  • Plant Recreation Centre, 930 Somerset Street West.
  • Register here. 
7:00-9:00 pm
*Dates will be added once provided by the Councillors office