Ottawa city council approves 2022 budget directions
Ottawa city council has approved directions for next year’s budget, including a recommended three per cent increase to property taxes in 2022.
By a vote of 16 to 8, councillors agreed to the approach and timetable for consultation and consideration of the 2022 budget, which also calls for a 2.6 per cent increase to the city-wide levy, a three per cent increase to the Ottawa police services levy and a 4.5 per cent increase to the transit levy.
The police levy was a significant point of contention, with residents calling on the Ottawa police services board and the finance and economic development committee (FEDCo) to vote down the funding increase.
Councillors Shawn Menard and Catherine McKenney tried to introduce a motion to freeze the police budget to a zero per cent tax increase, which police services board chair Diane Deans said would result in layoffs.
“We’ve been told that a zero per cent increase, because 81 per cent of our budget is staffing costs, would result in layoffs of about 100 police service members,” she told council. “Of course, the last people that we’ve hired are the most diverse group we’ve ever hired, so they’re the racialized minorities, they’re the women—they’re the ones that would be leaving.”
The police services board had committed to freezing its 2022 budget at 2020 levels, and Deans said they are still committed to trying.
The motion was referred to budget consultation time later this year.
Sixteen councillors and the mayor voted in favour of the overall budget directions, though councillors Matt Luloff, Riley Brockington and Keith Egli chose to dissent to the increase to the police levy. Brockington also dissented to the increase to the transit levy.
The councillors who voted in favour are: Tierney, El-Chantiry, Luloff (with dissent), Gower, Dudas, Cloutier, Darouze, Sudds, Moffatt, Chiarelli, Brockington (with dissent), Egli (with dissent), Kitts, Hubley, Harder, and Watson.
The councillors who voted against are: Menard, King, McKenney, Deans, Leiper, Meehan, Fleury, and Kavanagh.
City staff say the 2022 budget will outline estimated post COVID-19 financial pressures, and include mitigation measures to cover possible funding and revenue shortfalls, including the use of city reserves, possible reductions in service levels and various additional mitigation measures.
If approved, a three per cent increase in property taxes would cost the average urban homeowner an estimated $119 more in 2022. Rural homeowners would see their tax bill go up by $91.
The 2022 draft budget will be tabled on Nov. 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.