Ottawa City Council approves 2024 budget

Ottawa city councillors approved the 2024 budget on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The City is proposing an overall tax increase of 2.5 per cent, meaning the average urban homeowner would pay an additional $105 on their annual property tax bill, while the average rural homeowner would pay an additional $86.

Budget 2024 commits $33.5 million in municipal funds to improve access to housing and provide support to keep people housed, including $15.7 million for the housing and homelessness investment plan, and $8.8 million for housing benefits through Ontario Works. There is also $4.6 million for family and emergency shelters, $3.1 million for other homelessness programs and $1.3 million to support the social housing program. In addition, the City will invest $5 million to advance the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy and $30 million in affordable housing as part of the Housing Long Range Financial Plan.

Other highlights include:

• $66 million for a new recreation complex in Riverside South
• $30 million to help non-profit social services address poverty and inequitable access to services for residents facing the greatest barriers, through the Community Funding Framework 
• $29.1 million to renew recreation facilities, including pools, sports buildings and community centres
• $13 million to support local cultural and recreation organizations
• $3.8 million to hire new Ottawa Paramedic Service staff and purchase related equipment

Budget 2024 includes more than $300 million for overall integrated road construction and road renewal, storm and surface water rehabilitation, bridges, sidewalks and pathways. The City is investing more than $62 million for traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, ranging from intersection control measures, programs for cycling and pedestrian facilities, network modifications, active transportation and neighbourhood traffic calming. It also includes road safety initiatives in the Strategic Road Safety Action Plan.

Other highlights include:

• Investing $366 million in Stage 2 of light rail during 2024, with an additional $11.9 million to
• support the Rail Operational Readiness Program.
• $140 million for bridge renewals, road rehabilitation and road resurfacing work
• $4.5 million to establish a new Automated Speed Enforcement processing centre
• More than $3 million to adapt and extend the life of parking facility infrastructure, support the installation of additional EV charging stations and more.

Budget 2024 includes $180 million for zero-emission buses, as well as $63.2 million to protect city facilities, including wastewater treatment, drinking water treatment, energy conservation measures and accessibility upgrades. The City continues to invest in sustainable waste management, with $4.5 million to develop and implement the Solid Waste Master Plan and related projects.

Other highlights that strengthen Ottawa’s resilience to climate impacts include:

• $21.7 million to build resiliency to power outages at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre wastewater treatment facility
• $3 million to implement energy conservation measures in city facilities
• $3 million to continue developing a coordinated approach to wet weather flow management within the urban area and reduce flood risks
• $1.7 million to plant more trees to grow and preserve the tree canopy
• $1 million to install generators at emergency reception and lodging sites across the city