City Budget 2025

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Draft Budget 2025 Magazine and Explorer

With a complex budget, the City has introduced new supports like the Draft Budget 2025 Magazine and the Draft Budget 2025 Explorer to make understanding and engaging in the budget process easier.

The Budget Magazine provides insight into how the budget is created, what elements make up the budget, some of the key financials, an update on service reviews as well as highlights from over 100 lines of services that are advancing Council’s strategic priorities.

The Budget Explorer offers user-friendly interactive charts, graphs and tables to enhance financial literacy and transparency.

Draft Budget 2025 Magazine Draft Budget 2025 Explorer

Opportunities for participation in the budget process

It’s your city, your budget, and we want to hear from you! The City of Ottawa engages with residents each year to gather ideas and feedback as it drafts the budget for City Council’s consideration. You have many opportunities to provide your input on items reflected in the budget year-round through your Councillor’s office, committee meetings, social media, contacting 3-1-1 and scheduled engagement opportunities during the budget process.

Your feedback helps shape the City’s budget priorities and contributes to decisions about investing in a sustainable, secure, and prosperous city for all.

Year-round:

  • Submit your ideas to your Ward Councillor.
  • Watch, attend or participate in committee and Council meetings to learn more about important decisions at City Hall.
  • Provide input on public engagement opportunities that matter to you through Engage Ottawa.
  • Follow and communicate with us on Facebook and X @ottawacity, using the hashtag #OttBudget
  • Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Rural residents call 613-580-2400

Drafting the budget:

  • Participate in the budget poll from August 6 to September 13. Your responses on the city’s priorities will help shape the development of the draft budget.
  • Participate in Councillor-led public consultations. Check back regularly on this page or Ottawa.ca as dates will be added as soon as they are available. Consultations will focus on how the budget is developed, what is within and outside the City’s control when it comes to drafting the budget, and to hear your feedback.

Feedback on the Draft Budget:

  • The draft budget will be tabled at Council on November 13.
  • Following tabling residents can provide feedback on the draft budget in the following ways:
    1. Ask questions through the City’s Engage Ottawa webpage. Question submissions will be open for the public between November 13 and December 9.
    2. Join us at a standing committee meeting. All City Council and standing committee meetings are open to the public and your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Members of the public may provide either written or oral submissions (or both) to committee meetings related to items on the Committee’s agenda. Check back regularly on this page or on Ottawa.ca to stay current with the standing committee dates for budget considerations.
    3. You can live stream meetings and access past recordings on the Ottawa City Council YouTube Channel. Regular City Council meetings are broadcast live on RogersTV Cable 22 and live streamed on the RogersTV website.

Budget adoption:

  • Council will approve the 2025 budget on December 11. The adopted budget books will be updated and posted the 2025 Budget webpage Q2 2025.

For more budget information, visit Ottawa.ca. Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Draft Budget 2025 Magazine and Explorer

With a complex budget, the City has introduced new supports like the Draft Budget 2025 Magazine and the Draft Budget 2025 Explorer to make understanding and engaging in the budget process easier.

The Budget Magazine provides insight into how the budget is created, what elements make up the budget, some of the key financials, an update on service reviews as well as highlights from over 100 lines of services that are advancing Council’s strategic priorities.

The Budget Explorer offers user-friendly interactive charts, graphs and tables to enhance financial literacy and transparency.

Draft Budget 2025 Magazine Draft Budget 2025 Explorer

Opportunities for participation in the budget process

It’s your city, your budget, and we want to hear from you! The City of Ottawa engages with residents each year to gather ideas and feedback as it drafts the budget for City Council’s consideration. You have many opportunities to provide your input on items reflected in the budget year-round through your Councillor’s office, committee meetings, social media, contacting 3-1-1 and scheduled engagement opportunities during the budget process.

Your feedback helps shape the City’s budget priorities and contributes to decisions about investing in a sustainable, secure, and prosperous city for all.

Year-round:

  • Submit your ideas to your Ward Councillor.
  • Watch, attend or participate in committee and Council meetings to learn more about important decisions at City Hall.
  • Provide input on public engagement opportunities that matter to you through Engage Ottawa.
  • Follow and communicate with us on Facebook and X @ottawacity, using the hashtag #OttBudget
  • Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Rural residents call 613-580-2400

Drafting the budget:

  • Participate in the budget poll from August 6 to September 13. Your responses on the city’s priorities will help shape the development of the draft budget.
  • Participate in Councillor-led public consultations. Check back regularly on this page or Ottawa.ca as dates will be added as soon as they are available. Consultations will focus on how the budget is developed, what is within and outside the City’s control when it comes to drafting the budget, and to hear your feedback.

Feedback on the Draft Budget:

  • The draft budget will be tabled at Council on November 13.
  • Following tabling residents can provide feedback on the draft budget in the following ways:
    1. Ask questions through the City’s Engage Ottawa webpage. Question submissions will be open for the public between November 13 and December 9.
    2. Join us at a standing committee meeting. All City Council and standing committee meetings are open to the public and your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Members of the public may provide either written or oral submissions (or both) to committee meetings related to items on the Committee’s agenda. Check back regularly on this page or on Ottawa.ca to stay current with the standing committee dates for budget considerations.
    3. You can live stream meetings and access past recordings on the Ottawa City Council YouTube Channel. Regular City Council meetings are broadcast live on RogersTV Cable 22 and live streamed on the RogersTV website.

Budget adoption:

  • Council will approve the 2025 budget on December 11. The adopted budget books will be updated and posted the 2025 Budget webpage Q2 2025.

For more budget information, visit Ottawa.ca. Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Ask a question about Budget 2025!

Open from November 13 to December 9.

Please allow up to 5 business days for some responses. Questions and answers will be shared on this page.

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  • Share OCTranspo has not updated their performance measures since 2022. How will you be tracking whether they are making good use of the fee increase? https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/performance-measures/ on Facebook Share OCTranspo has not updated their performance measures since 2022. How will you be tracking whether they are making good use of the fee increase? https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/performance-measures/ on Twitter Share OCTranspo has not updated their performance measures since 2022. How will you be tracking whether they are making good use of the fee increase? https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/performance-measures/ on Linkedin Email OCTranspo has not updated their performance measures since 2022. How will you be tracking whether they are making good use of the fee increase? https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/performance-measures/ link

    OCTranspo has not updated their performance measures since 2022. How will you be tracking whether they are making good use of the fee increase? https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/performance-measures/

    Stefan De Young asked 8 days ago

    Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, the Performance Measures page within the link you provided has not been updated recently. Staff will work to update that information.

    Please note that OC Transpo provides regular updates to Transit Commission and those updates are publicly available through the Minutes of each Commission meeting. For example, the most recent OC Transpo Update presentation can be found here:  Transit Commission - October 10, 2024

    The updates include a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as:

    • On time performance for conventional bus service and Para Transpo
    • Ridership for conventional, Para and O-Train Line 1 services
    • O-Train Line 1 service delivery
    • Health and safety trends
    • Customer complaints


    OC Transpo will continue to provide updated KPIs at each TC meeting in 2025 and those metrics will be reflective of what’s in the 2025 Budget, including the fare increase.

  • Share How/where do we view the poll results from the poll held between Sept and Oct on the Draft Budget 2025? on Facebook Share How/where do we view the poll results from the poll held between Sept and Oct on the Draft Budget 2025? on Twitter Share How/where do we view the poll results from the poll held between Sept and Oct on the Draft Budget 2025? on Linkedin Email How/where do we view the poll results from the poll held between Sept and Oct on the Draft Budget 2025? link

    How/where do we view the poll results from the poll held between Sept and Oct on the Draft Budget 2025?

    1853 asked 4 days ago

    The results from the survey have been presented in the "As We Heard It" report showcased on this page and can be accessed here.

  • Share Does the 2025 budget extend the lifeguarding season at Britannia Beach in both days and hours, especially from Victoria Day weekend until mid-June, as the best way to prevent more drownings? on Facebook Share Does the 2025 budget extend the lifeguarding season at Britannia Beach in both days and hours, especially from Victoria Day weekend until mid-June, as the best way to prevent more drownings? on Twitter Share Does the 2025 budget extend the lifeguarding season at Britannia Beach in both days and hours, especially from Victoria Day weekend until mid-June, as the best way to prevent more drownings? on Linkedin Email Does the 2025 budget extend the lifeguarding season at Britannia Beach in both days and hours, especially from Victoria Day weekend until mid-June, as the best way to prevent more drownings? link

    Does the 2025 budget extend the lifeguarding season at Britannia Beach in both days and hours, especially from Victoria Day weekend until mid-June, as the best way to prevent more drownings?

    Earthly asked 6 days ago

    Thank you for the question. The 2025 budget includes an additional $60,000 to increase the number of beach operating days from 72 days to 80 days. The eight days were recommended to City Council as part of any earlier inquiry on beach operations and focus on extending the end of the beach season until Labor Day. The budget does not include an additional $260,000 in funding that would be required to open beaches starting on Victoria Day.

  • Share Why are we lavishing over half a billion dollars on Lansdowne so that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group can generate private profits from public money while simultaneously increasing transit prices by extortionate amounts? on Facebook Share Why are we lavishing over half a billion dollars on Lansdowne so that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group can generate private profits from public money while simultaneously increasing transit prices by extortionate amounts? on Twitter Share Why are we lavishing over half a billion dollars on Lansdowne so that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group can generate private profits from public money while simultaneously increasing transit prices by extortionate amounts? on Linkedin Email Why are we lavishing over half a billion dollars on Lansdowne so that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group can generate private profits from public money while simultaneously increasing transit prices by extortionate amounts? link

    Why are we lavishing over half a billion dollars on Lansdowne so that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group can generate private profits from public money while simultaneously increasing transit prices by extortionate amounts?

    SmellsLikeCorruption asked 7 days ago

    The funding sources for Lansdowne are directly attributable to Lansdowne. The City owns Lansdowne and has developed a funding strategy that relies on funding generated directly from the redevelopment of Lansdowne. Transit services are funded from transit tax and fares and need to be sufficient to support that service.

  • Share I don’t use public transit, why should I as a property owner and tax payer have to fix the transit woes. The people who use the system should be paying for the lion’s share, especially for example renters who don’t pay property taxes…if they can afford the luxury rental accommodations they can afford transit fee hikes on Facebook Share I don’t use public transit, why should I as a property owner and tax payer have to fix the transit woes. The people who use the system should be paying for the lion’s share, especially for example renters who don’t pay property taxes…if they can afford the luxury rental accommodations they can afford transit fee hikes on Twitter Share I don’t use public transit, why should I as a property owner and tax payer have to fix the transit woes. The people who use the system should be paying for the lion’s share, especially for example renters who don’t pay property taxes…if they can afford the luxury rental accommodations they can afford transit fee hikes on Linkedin Email I don’t use public transit, why should I as a property owner and tax payer have to fix the transit woes. The people who use the system should be paying for the lion’s share, especially for example renters who don’t pay property taxes…if they can afford the luxury rental accommodations they can afford transit fee hikes link

    I don’t use public transit, why should I as a property owner and tax payer have to fix the transit woes. The people who use the system should be paying for the lion’s share, especially for example renters who don’t pay property taxes…if they can afford the luxury rental accommodations they can afford transit fee hikes

    Douglasss asked 6 days ago

    Investing in public transit, through both fares and taxes, provides all residents with choices on how they travel. A reliable and sustainable transit system reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduces vehicle traffic on the roads, and can reduce commute time. This benefits all residents.

    The draft 2025 Budget increases fares by 5%, reduces a number of fare discounts, and eliminates some free service for certain customer groups.

  • Share Regarding the 5% increase on transit fees, my sense is that this will further dissuade people from using public transit, on top of all the other reasons why people don't use public transit in Ottawa (e.g. busses constantly late or cancelled). As a result, even with the increase in transit fees, you will lose more riders. Have you any studies to show that raising rates will realistically lead to increased revenues for the city? on Facebook Share Regarding the 5% increase on transit fees, my sense is that this will further dissuade people from using public transit, on top of all the other reasons why people don't use public transit in Ottawa (e.g. busses constantly late or cancelled). As a result, even with the increase in transit fees, you will lose more riders. Have you any studies to show that raising rates will realistically lead to increased revenues for the city? on Twitter Share Regarding the 5% increase on transit fees, my sense is that this will further dissuade people from using public transit, on top of all the other reasons why people don't use public transit in Ottawa (e.g. busses constantly late or cancelled). As a result, even with the increase in transit fees, you will lose more riders. Have you any studies to show that raising rates will realistically lead to increased revenues for the city? on Linkedin Email Regarding the 5% increase on transit fees, my sense is that this will further dissuade people from using public transit, on top of all the other reasons why people don't use public transit in Ottawa (e.g. busses constantly late or cancelled). As a result, even with the increase in transit fees, you will lose more riders. Have you any studies to show that raising rates will realistically lead to increased revenues for the city? link

    Regarding the 5% increase on transit fees, my sense is that this will further dissuade people from using public transit, on top of all the other reasons why people don't use public transit in Ottawa (e.g. busses constantly late or cancelled). As a result, even with the increase in transit fees, you will lose more riders. Have you any studies to show that raising rates will realistically lead to increased revenues for the city?

    Earthly asked 6 days ago

    When reviewing changes to fares, staff take into consideration how these changes could impact ridership. Fare elasticity, that is a change in ridership for every percent change in fares, is used to estimate these changes.

    Staff are tuned into research and studies on fare elasticity through industry advocacy and benchmarking organizations. OC Transpo also brought in a well-known industry consultant in 2015 to review and provide advice on fare elasticity, which continues to be considered today.

  • Share Why don’t we cut funding for the Ottawa Police Service until they improve their performance? OPS officers are obviously on work-to-rule and mostly just sit in their SUVs staring at their phones until the next shift change. The OPS’s poor performance should not be rewarded with ever-expanding budgets. on Facebook Share Why don’t we cut funding for the Ottawa Police Service until they improve their performance? OPS officers are obviously on work-to-rule and mostly just sit in their SUVs staring at their phones until the next shift change. The OPS’s poor performance should not be rewarded with ever-expanding budgets. on Twitter Share Why don’t we cut funding for the Ottawa Police Service until they improve their performance? OPS officers are obviously on work-to-rule and mostly just sit in their SUVs staring at their phones until the next shift change. The OPS’s poor performance should not be rewarded with ever-expanding budgets. on Linkedin Email Why don’t we cut funding for the Ottawa Police Service until they improve their performance? OPS officers are obviously on work-to-rule and mostly just sit in their SUVs staring at their phones until the next shift change. The OPS’s poor performance should not be rewarded with ever-expanding budgets. link

    Why don’t we cut funding for the Ottawa Police Service until they improve their performance? OPS officers are obviously on work-to-rule and mostly just sit in their SUVs staring at their phones until the next shift change. The OPS’s poor performance should not be rewarded with ever-expanding budgets.

    OPSLazy asked 7 days ago

    The Ottawa Police Board handles their own budget tabling and consultation to understand fund allocation. We have passed along your questions but if you are interested in more information please visit Budget - Ottawa Police Service.

Page last updated: 18 Nov 2024, 08:44 AM