City of Ottawa 2022 draft budget, including 3 per cent tax hike, ready to be viewed at committee level

By Mike Vlasveld

The City of Ottawa says its 2022 draft budget delivers essential services while still advancing city council's priorities, including affordable housing and support for social services. 

It also prioritizes the health and safety of residents as the pandemic continues.  

“This budget strikes a balance between maintaining the essential city services our residents depend on every day, and the flexibility to continue responding to evolving community needs due to the pandemic,” explains City Manager Steve Kanellakos.

Draft Budget 2022 features a 3 per cent tax increase which would see the average urban homeowner pay an additional $119 per year. The average rural homeowner would pay an additional $91 per year under the proposed budget.  

The city says maintaining that tax cap will help keep Ottawa affordable for residents.

The city is set to invest $17-million to develop more affordable and supportive housing, which includes approximately $15-million in capital and $2-million in development charge exemptions for residents in greatest need. That investment builds on commitments in the previous three budgets totalling $51-million in this Term of Council.

An additional $1-million in city funding will help local landlords make essential repairs and further increase the supply of affordable rental units in Ottawa. 

The city has also earmarked $27-million in Community Funding to non-profit social services agencies to help residents in greatest need. This is the largest increase the Community Funding Framework has received since 2006. This investment demonstrates the City’s commitment toward the sustainability of a strong and stable social services sector to support our most vulnerable residents. 

Draft Budget 2022 also commits to greater affordability with a tax relief for local small businesses. Small businesses were greatly impacted by pandemic restrictions, and the City has implemented a 15 per cent tax discount for small businesses on qualifying properties. The full discount will be phased in over two years starting with a 7.5 per cent reduction in 2022. The tax relief will benefit an estimated 10,000 small businesses.

Draft Budget 2022 will also invest in new major renewal projects, with a total spending on roads increasing from $130.2-million in 2021 to $203.2-million in 2022 – an increase of 56 per cent. These will include widening the Findlay Creek area of Bank Street, an underpass on Earl Grey Drive and a roundabout on Palladium Drive. 

This year’s budget includes $67-million to support rural infrastructure and more than $11.5-million to improve pedestrian and cycling pathway connections – such as the cycling and pedestrian bridge at Carleton University. In addition, the budget commits $13.4-million to enhance active transportation through programs like the Cycling and Pedestrian Facilities Programs.

The pandemic brought into focus just how important our parks, outdoor amenities and recreation facilities are to the social, physical and mental well-being of residents. Draft Budget 2022 continues to invest in these important assets, with $6-million to renew parks across Ottawa. The budget also commits $1 million to partner with community groups for the development, renovation and expansion of parks and recreation facilities, with another $1.8-million to upgrade recreation facilities for greater accessibility. 

To protect the health and well-being of residents as Ottawa continues to grow, the City will invest $1.3-million to hire 14 paramedics and to procure emergency vehicles.

The proposed budget will be considered by all Standing Committees in the coming weeks, then adopted by Council on Wednesday, December 8. You can have your say about the budget:

Residents can register as a public delegation to make a five-minute presentation at a budget review meeting of any committee, board or commission. Visit ottawa.ca/budget to learn about meeting dates.

Residents can also contact their city councillor to express their views on the budget, tweet @ottawacity using the hashtag #ottbudget, or call 311 / 613-580-2400 (TTY: 613-580-2401). 

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