City of Ottawa’s $4.1-billion budget for 2022 approved

After a marathon council meeting, the City of Ottawa's $4.1-billion budget for 2022 has been approved.

The budget includes a 3 per cent municipal tax increase, which will cost an average of $119 more annually for urban homeowners and an extra $91 for the average rural homeowner.

The city has also earmarked $427.3-million in the budget in funding for roads and infrastructure, while $17-million is being invested to develop more affordable and supportive housing in Ottawa.

A 2 per cent increase in funding for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is also included in the budget, which is nearly one per cent less than what was originally proposed.

Council redirected $2.1-million from the OPS budget to support numerous services including culturally appropriate mental health prevention services and addictions and crisis outreach.

The budget was approved in a 16 to 8 vote. Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney feels the budget for 2022 is the worst they've encountered over their eight years on council.

“We want a city that is built for everyone, that takes care of people's needs, and this budget doesn't come anywhere close to it,” McKenney explained.

Gloucester-Southgate Councillor and Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) Chair Diane Deans also finds the budget for next year underwhelming.

“We need a budget that engages the community in a meaningful way, that is responsive to the changing needs of our city, and that is reflective of our priorities as a city,” Deans said. “This budget does not achieve those goals.”

However, Mayor Jim Watson disagrees with those notions.

“I think there were some of the same people that said it was the worst budget last year, so there is that consistency,” Watson stated. “I don't share that view. I think it's a very solid, progressive budget where we're investing in helping those individuals who have suffered greatly as a result of the pandemic.”

The 2022 budget marks Watson's twelfth as mayor, and the last for this term of council.