Council directs staff to draft 2024 budget with max 2.5 per cent tax hike

Councillors have directed City of Ottawa staff to develop the 2024 budget with a maximum increase of 2.5 per cent

Ottawa City Council voted 17 to 8 in favour of drafting the budget with a 2.5 per cent hike.

The increase would add an additional $105 to the average property tax bill.

Councillors voting against the 2.5 per cent tax hike include Sean Devine, Jessica Bradley,  Ariel Troster, Rawlson King, Jeff Leiper, Theresa Kavanagh, Laine Johnson and Shawn Menard.

Coun. King, representing the ward of Rideau-Rockcliffe, said the City should invest in itself beyond the rate of inflation.

“We heard complaints from our residents day after day about the declining and degraded quality of our amenities, services and infrastructure,” said King during the council session.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said there will be room for specific adjustments.

“We can invest five per cent more in some areas, one per cent more in some areas and three per cent more in others and so on, and we can do that during the budget process,” he added.

The budget direction includes an increase of 2.5 per cent in the police and transit levy, as well, as a hike in transit fares. City staff noted that the 2024 budget will align with council’s priorities, some of which include affordable housing, accessible transportation, and green resiliency.

This comes as unions representing over 20,000 city employees expressed disappointment with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Seven unions have sent a joint letter to the mayor asking him to “provide a vision for the city that goes beyond another round of cuts.” Those unions include:

• ATU 279
• ATU 1760
• CIPP
• CUPE 503
• CUPE 5500
• IAFF Local 162
• Ottawa Police Association