11 things that will cost you more in Ottawa in 2025

Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the bus and the O-Train, park on city streets, use City of Ottawa services and turn on the lights in 2025.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at 11 things that will cost you more in Ottawa this year.

OC Transpo fares

Transit riders will be paying more to board the bus in 2025.

The 2025 City of Ottawa budget includes a five per cent increase in transit fares, and the elimination of free rides for 11- and 12-year-olds.

Here is a look at the OC Transpo fare increases:

As of Jan. 1, 2025:

As of Feb. 1, 2025:

City of Ottawa services

Ottawa residents will be paying more for property taxes, water rates and garbage collection fees in 2025.

Council approved the 2025 budget with 3.9 per cent property tax hike, adding $168 to the average property tax bill in Ottawa. The $168 includes the increase in the transit levy.

The cost of turning on your taps and flushing the toilet will increase $43.07 this year, as the 2025 budget increases water, wastewater and stormwater rates an average of 4.4 per cent.

The solid waste user fee increases from $145 to $243 in 2025 for a single-family household. The fee covers garbage and recycling collection.

Tipping fees to use the landfill increase 10.6 per cent.

On-street parking rates

The cost to park on city streets and at municipal on-street spaces increases 2.6 to 2.9 per cent in 2025, effective Jan. 1.

Here is a look at the new rates:

The maximum on-street parking rate will increase from $4.50 to $5. Staff will have the delegated authority to increase parking rates during the year.

The maximum on-street rate for a motorcycle will increase $0.25 to $2.50.

There will be no change in parking rates at City of Ottawa parking lots in 2025.

Parking rates are increasing at Mooney's Bay and Petrie Island. The City of Ottawa says 30-minute parking rates at Mooney's Bay increase $0.25 to $1.50, while 30-minute parking at Petrie Island increases $0.25 to $1.25.

Recreation fees

Rental and membership fees for arenas and recreational activities in Ottawa increase in 2025.

Here is a look at the increases:

General admission:

Memberships:

Hourly programming:

Hydro rates

It will cost you more to turn on the lights in 2025.

Hydro Ottawa says the Ontario Energy Board approved changes to its distribution rates, with a typical residential customer using 750 kilowatt-hours per month seeing an increase of approximately $0.16 per month.

"This includes a $0.32 increase in the fixed monthly distribution charge," Hydro Ottawa told CTV News Ottawa.

The monthly distribution rate covers Hydro Ottawa's cost to deliver electricity from generating stations across Ontario to homes in Ottawa.

In 2024, Hydro Ottawa's distribution rate increased $4.92 a month for a residential customer consuming 750 kWh an hour.

Rental rates

Renters in Ottawa and across Ontario face a maximum rent increase of 2.5 per cent this year.

The Ontario government approved a maximum 2.5 per cent increase in rent for 2025, based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Landlords need approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board to increase rental rates above 2.5 per cent.

The guideline does not apply to new buildings and most new basement apartments that are occupied for the first time for residential purposes after Nov. 15, 2018.

Home prices

Real estate prices are expected to rise in 2025, as interest rates fall.

The RE/MAX Canada 2025 Housing Market Outlook Report predicts housing prices in Ottawa will increase 2.5 per cent to an average of $695,033 this year. Housing prices are expected to rise 5 per cent in Kingston.

The Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast predicts Ottawa home prices will increase 4 per cent by the end of 2025, with condominium prices jumping three per cent.

Food prices

Food prices are expected to rise three to five per cent in 2025.

The Canada Food Price Report says the average family of four will spend $16,833 on food in 2025, up $801 from 2024.

The report from Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia says food prices are influenced by a variety of global factors, including energy costs, inflation, currencies and trade, food distribution, climate change and geopolitical conflicts.

Meat is expected to increase four to six per cent, while restaurant prices will jump three to five per cent.

Ottawa Police Service reports

The cost for police record checks from the Ottawa Police Service increase this year.

First Aid Courses

The cost for first aid training with the City of Ottawa increases in 2025.

Walking down the aisle

It will cost you more to say “I do” in Ottawa in 2025.

The cost of a marriage licence increases two per cent to $186.55.

Civil marriages will cost more at Ottawa City Hall. Option 1: Monday to Friday during business hours will now cost $163.18, up from $159.20 in 2024.

Option 2: Friday evening and Saturday afternoons will cost $163.18, up from $159.20 in 2024.