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

Committee of Adjustment

Ottawa Board of Health

Ottawa Police Services Board

Ottawa Public Library Board

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

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.