Ottawa police release draft budget with increase of $20 on average per homeowner

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tabled its 2025 Draft Operating and Capital Budget to the Ottawa Police Service Board (OPSB) on Wednesday, with a focus on service improvements and community safety initiatives.

In a press release, OPS highlights that this year’s budget is aligned with the strategic priorities and community feedback. It includes a tax rate increase of 2.9 per cent and a 1.5 per cent assessment growth increase.

This results in a an estimated $20 increase on the tax bill of an average homeowner.

“This Draft Budget is designed to meet Ottawa’s key public safety needs and will assist us in serving the residents and businesses of our community better,” said Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs.

He continued by saying the budget is working to address gaps in police service and focuses on building public trust while advancing the strategic priorities.

“The OPS continues its commitment to becoming a trusted partner in building an inclusive, equitable, and safe Ottawa,” concluded Stubbs.

Service Improvements

In a statement from the OPS, the District Policing Model has been tailored to ensure policing better meets the needs of Ottawa’s urban, suburban and rural communities. Improvements include increasing staffing for Neighbourhood Resource Teams, Youth, Traffic — with more officers assuming community roles through the Staffing Stabilization Plan in 2025.

An updated operational map will be released by January 2026, incorporating four districts and reallocating police resources to better service Ottawa’s communities, said OPS.

In efforts to address staffing gaps in frontline and specialized units, 50 new positions — including 32 funded by a 1.5 per cent increase in assessment growth — will aid in OPS’s response to the growing population.

Investing more in Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) is also a part of this year’s budget direction like improving services for victims, such as, investigative capacity and the ability to address staffing needs by hiring additional sworn officers, special constables, and civilian roles.

“To ensure the Draft Budget meets community needs, the Board and OPS engaged residents through neighbourhood conversations, discussion with community and community leaders as well as data analysis and polling,” said OPSB Chair Salim Fakirani.

According to Fakirani, residents expressed a need for stronger relationships with OPS, increased police visibility, and responsive service delivery. The public identified traffic, gun violence, equity, hate crimes and youth engagement as key concerns, he added.

Funding from upper levels of government

Federal and provincial funding that will go towards new policing services is in the process of being finalized, explained OPS.

Once approved, the force says it plans to direct this funding to the following initiatives:

• Parliamentary District: A dedicated unit to bolster the police presence around the Parliamentary campus.
• Alternative Mental Health Support Project: Full funding for a community-led program to direct certain mental health related calls in Centretown to specialized mental health service providers
• Special Constable Expansion: New special constable roles in fraud, cybercrime, forensic identification and hospitals to free up sworn officers for core policing functions
• Mounted Unit: A new unit to support demonstrations, enhance visibility in urban areas and assist with search operations
• Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Strategy: A coordinated safety strategy focused on Ottawa’s ByWard Market and Rideau Street corridor, including initiatives like the Neighbourhood Operations Centre, hot spot policing, and a community advisory board to address evolving safety needs
• Dedicated ByWard Market Patrol: A fully funded team to increase police presence and safety in the ByWard Market area

“The OPS 2025 Draft Budget emphasizes community safety, staffing stability, and strategic service delivery, prioritizing transparency and responsiveness to the needs of Ottawa’s diverse communities,” wrote OPS in today’s new release.

The proposed gross operating budget totals $447.5 million, representing an increase of $16.3 million compared to the 2024 budget.

OPS and the Board are encouraging local residents and businesses to participate and share their thoughts on the 2025 Budget.

Members of the public are invited to participate in the Finance and Audit Committee meeting on Nov. 22 at 9:30 a.m. via the following Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84951021736.

The OPS 2025 Budget is set for approval by the board on Nov. 25 and will later be reviewed and scheduled for approval by Ottawa City Council on Dec. 11.