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From City of Ottawa, complied by the Ward 3 office.
Citywide Highlights
City Messaging: Advancing Ottawa with Draft Budget 2024
Ottawa’s Draft Budget 2024, tabled today at City Council, invests in advancing Ottawa to be a resilient, affordable and connected city. This year’s budget development process includes various enhancements to improve budget literacy, transparency and make it easier for residents to become engaged, like a new interactive and user-friendly Budget Tool and a Budget Tabling Report that highlights 2024 investments in a more simple, user-friendly manner.
Budget 2024 invests in the core services that residents rely on every day, and key priorities to make Ottawa better. These priority areas include:
A city that has affordable housing and is more liveable for all
A city that is more connected with reliable, safe and accessible mobility options
A city that is green and resilient
A city with a diversified and prosperous economy
The City is proposing an overall tax increase of 2.5 per cent – keeping the city affordable for residents who have faced financial hardship due to a higher cost of living resulting from rising inflation and the pandemic. At 2.5 per cent, 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.
A city that has affordable housing and is more liveable for all
As a City, we know we need to invest in housing and housing options, including affordable housing. We also need to improve access to mental health and substance abuse health supports, emergency services, employment services, licensed child care, arts and culture, and parks and recreation.
Draft Budget 2024 includes $33.5 million in Municipal City Homelessness Funding which will invest $15.7 million for the housing and homelessness investment plan, provide $8.8 million for housing related benefits. $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 support the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy and $21.8 million in affordable housing as part of the Housing Long Range Financial Plan.
Other highlights include:
More than $62 million in parks and building investments
$48.4 million in Provincial Homelessness Prevention Program Funding for community outreach and support services, emergency shelter solutions, housing assistance, supportive housing and administration
$29.4 million through the Community Funding Framework to invest financial and capacity building resources in the non-profit social services sector to address poverty, inequitable access to services and other barriers
More than $16 million in community safety investments
$15.8 million in Federal Reaching Home Funding
$15.2 million in Federal-Provincial Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative funding
$5.9 million in Federal-Provincial Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative funding
$1.5 million in provincial and municipal investments to maintain Ottawa Public Health programs
$466,000 for the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub Expansion funded by the provincial Ministry of Health
A city that is more connected with reliable, safe and accessible mobility options
Wherever possible, the City wants to connect critical walking and cycling missing links. Using public and active transportation helps us be climate conscious and create a healthier, more equitable and inclusive city for residents and visitors. The City will continue to focus on strengthening the reliability of our transit system and introduce new and innovative ways to deliver service.
Draft Budget 2024 includes more than $300 million for overall integrated road construction and road renewal, storm and surface water rehabilitation, bridges, sidewalks and pathways.
Draft Budget 2024 invests 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, neighbourhood traffic calming, and more. It also includes road safety initiatives in accordance with the approved 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 added to support the Rail Operational Readiness Program.
$140 million for bridge renewals, road rehabilitation and road resurfacing work
$4.4 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 within the right-of-way
Implement the public bike parking strategy, including secure and unsecure bike parking
Conduct parking studies and parking data collection throughout the city related to growth and parking trends
Improve parking facility features such as accessibility and wayfinding
A city that is green and resilient
Ottawa is experiencing warmer, wetter and more unpredictable weather. It’s critical that the City prepares for more extreme weather and continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resiliency. In the second year applying a climate lens, Draft Budget 2024 invests $278 million in climate contributions which is an increase of $226 million from Budget 2023. Investments include $188 million towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, $86 million towards building climate resiliency and $5 million in support of the Climate Change Master Plan. It also includes $21.7 million for the ROPEC Electrical Reliability project, a critical initiative that will build resiliency to power outages expected with increased extreme weather events.
Draft 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, accessibility upgrades and tree planting programs. More trees will be planted to grow and preserve the tree canopy in neighbourhoods with fewer trees.
The City is also allocating $4.5 million for the evaluation, development and implementation of enhancements to the City’s Solid Waste Master Plan and supporting projects. Additionally, $3 million will be allocated to the Energy Management Investment Strategy to implement energy conservation measures in City facilities.
Recognizing the great need for emergency preparedness, the City is also allocating approximately $3 million for weather preparedness, including a Wet Weather Infrastructure Management Plan and flood plain mapping. Draft Budget 2024 also includes more than $1 million to invest in emergency management at the City, including backup generators for emergency reception lodging, as well as capacity building in the Office of Emergency Management.
A city with a diversified and prosperous economy
The City has a strong, diverse economy that is growing. We boast special districts like Parliament and Confederation Boulevard, Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, Lansdowne, Kanata North and the Ottawa River Islands that are exciting and attractive to both residents and visitors. We’re growing our nightlife economy and we’re supporting new and emerging businesses through Bayview Yards and Invest Ottawa. Draft Budget 2024 aims to further reduce red tape and start-up barriers for small businesses, who contribute to our thriving traditional and commercial main streets.
Draft Budget 2024 will continue to invest in economic growth, diversification and job creation through the development and implementation of an Economic Development Strategy, a Downtown Action Plan and support to Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, the Ottawa Film Office and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition to deliver sector specific programming and services. It also includes the implementation of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan and the establishment of the Nightlife Commissioner Office.
Other highlights include:
$2.6 million for the design of priority ByWard Market Public Realm projects, including the revitalization of William Street, ByWard Market Square and the redevelopment of the 70 Clarence Street municipal parking garage
$800,000 for annual operating support for the ByWard Market District Authority
$250,000 for continued funding for Invest Ottawa to deliver enhanced entrepreneur and knowledge-based sector programs
$65,000 for continued funding for the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition to support development and promotion of live music sector
$50,000 for continued funding for the Ottawa Film Office to support enhanced production attraction, destination marketing and industry development initiatives such as new soundstage development.
Opportunities for resident feedback
The proposed budget will be considered by all Standing Committees in the coming weeks, then considered and adopted by Council on Wednesday, December 6. Residents have many ways to continue to have a say about Draft Budget 2024:
Submit your ideas directly to your Ward Councillor.
Visit Engage Ottawa(link is external) for an up-to-date list of Councillor-led budget consultation sessions and to ask any budget related questions.
Register as a public delegation to make a five-minute presentation at a budget review meeting of any standing committee, board or commission. Visit ottawa.ca/budget to learn about meeting dates.
Follow and communicate with us on Facebook(link is external) and X (formerly Twitter)(link is external), using the hashtag #OttBudget.
Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Rural residents call 613-580-2400.
Quotes
“Draft Budget 2024 addresses the priorities set out by Council and responds to the concerns of residents. It is about building an affordable, safe, connected and accessible city for everyone. I look forward to the thoughtful discussions ahead and from hearing from residents as we shape this budget.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
“This budget supports Council’s commitment to fund ongoing operational needs and is aligned with the Term of Council priorities to continue to build our city – keeping affordability top-of-mind. We’ve worked hard to enhance the budget experience, improve transparency and increase opportunities for engagement by encouraging participation of residents, businesses and community groups in the process. Draft Budget 2024 was a collaborative effort between elected officials, staff, residents and stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of benefitting our entire community, and moving our city forward.”
City Manager Wendy Stephanson
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook(link is external), X (formerly Twitter)(link is external) and Instagram(link is external).
Key Points
Draft Budget 2024 proposes a $4.6 billion operating budget and a capital budget of
$1.24 billion.
• Building on the City’s established record of fiscal responsibility, the budget presents
a prudent approach to affordability by capping the overall municipal tax increase at
2.5 per cent.
• The 2.5 per cent municipal tax increase is much lower than the rate of inflation our
residents are coping with. The average urban homeowner will pay an extra $105 per
year and the average rural homeowner will pay an extra $86 per year.
• Residents can still have their say. The budget will be considered by all Standing
Committees before it is adopted by Council on Wednesday, December 6.
• This year’s budget development process includes various enhancements to improve
budget literacy, transparency and make it easier for residents to become engaged.
Enhancements include a new online budget tool, a video on how to engage in the
budget process and a report that helps to summarize the budget with visuals.
• Budget 2024 invests in the core services that residents rely on every day, and key
priorities to make Ottawa better. These priority areas include:
o A city that has affordable housing and is more liveable for all
o A city that is more connected with reliable, safe and accessible mobility
options
o A city that is green and resilient
o A city with a diversified and prosperous economy
• As a City, we know we need to invest in housing and housing options, including
affordable housing. We also need to improve access to mental health and substance
abuse health supports, emergency services, employment services, licensed child
care, arts and culture and parks and recreation.
• Draft Budget 2024 includes $33.5 million in Municipal City Homelessness Funding.
• The City will invest $5 million to support the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy and $21.8 million in affordable housing as part of the Housing Long Range
Financial Plan.
• Wherever possible, the City wants to connect critical walking and cycling missing
links. Using public and active transportation helps us be climate conscious and
create a healthier, more equitable and inclusive city for residents and visitors.
• Draft Budget 2024 is investing $366 million in Stage 2 of light rail in 2024, with an
additional $11.9 million added to support the Rail Operational Readiness Program.
• Draft Budget 2024 invests 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, neighbourhood
traffic calming, and more. It also includes road safety initiatives in accordance with
the approved Strategic Road Safety Action Plan.
• $140 million is being allocated for bridge renewals, road rehabilitation and road
resurfacing work.
• Ottawa is experiencing warmer, wetter and more unpredictable weather. It’s critical
that the City prepares for more extreme weather and continues to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resiliency.
• In the second year applying a climate lens, Draft Budget 2024 invests $278 million in
climate contributions which is an increase of $226 million from Budget 2023. Key
investments include $180 million for zero-emission buses, $21.7 million for the
ROPEC Electrical Reliability project and $5 million for the Climate Change Master
Plan.
• Draft 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 also allocating $4.5 million for the evaluation,
development and implementation of enhancements to the City’s Solid Waste Master
Plan and supporting projects.
• The City has a strong, diverse economy that is growing. Draft Budget 2024 aims to
further reduce red tape and start-up barriers for small businesses, who contribute to
our thriving traditional and commercial main streets.
• Draft Budget 2024 will continue to invest in economic growth, diversification and job
creation through the development and implementation of an Economic Development
Strategy, a Downtown Action Plan and support to Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism,
the Ottawa Film Office and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition.
• Draft Budget 2024 commits $2.6 million for the design of priority ByWard Market
Public Realm projects, including the revitalization of William Street, ByWard Market
Square and the redevelopment of the 70 Clarence Street municipal parking garage
Councillor Hill Messages
Advancing the Greenbank Realignment: This has been my top priority this year, and the 2024 budget has added $20.197 Million to the account. My office and city stakeholders have been engaged with a number of commercial developers with a view to marketing the need for retail at the Cambrian and new Greenbank realignment site. We have now had successful applications submitted for a Metro grocery store, No Frills, LCBO, Shoppers Drug Mart, and several other small outlets to be confirmed. These new commercial developments HERE, HERE, and HERE will necessitate an upgrading to the intersection which I have requested be the initial phase for the realignment. I have advocated that incremental investments in the realignment will better support the community rather than waiting until 2030 to start construction. The benefits that I see to this would be an immediate access to retail in Half Moon Bay (for logistic trucks and customers), construction vehicle access into the Kennedy lands (reducing traffic on other local routes) and providing traffic relief for River Run. Although the new bridge across the Jock River will be very expensive and will still take a number of years for installation, I believe that this interim step will provide the best immediate options with a view to ultimately getting the transportation system that we need. Please stay tuned as I have a number of meetings with transportation staff in the coming weeks and will likely be updating this in each of my next few newsletters. I am very pleased that the Mayor and city staff have agreed to prioritize and pull forward investment in this critical infrastructure project, and rest assured I will keep working my hardest to get shovels in the ground.
Budget 2024, continued: The City is committing almost $11 million towards the creation of the 60 acre Jock River South District Park. This park is located on the City owned land just south of the Jock River roughly between Borrisokane and the current Greenbank Bridge. The 2024 budget also included an additional $2,375,000 for the Jock River North Park. This is in addition to the $9,517,900 the City invested in this project last year. This new park system is projected to include multiple great features including splash pads, a tennis court, and water access to the river. Public consultations have recently closed, and I’ll share more information as we proceed with the planning process for these two parks.
The 2024 OPL budget includes $1.5 million in additional funding for the new Barrhaven Library. By committing to this increased spending in 2024 OPL has contributed more to the account of the Barrhaven Civic Centre project. Combined with the $20.8 million from the Federal Government and $17.3 million from the Provincial Government, we are in a strong position to begin work on this key project for our community. See link for more detail on the Barrhaven Civic Centre Project.
I was also pleased to hear about the investments presented in the Police Services Budget. You can see what I advocated for in the Police Services Budget here.
Virtual Public Budget Consultation | David Hill (davidhillbarrhaven.ca)