Here’s what the City of Ottawa plans to spend on community services next year

Ottawa City Hall (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa’s Community Services Committee has approved the portion of the draft 2026 budget focused on community and social services, recreation, culture and parks.

The $1.8-billion spending plan was approved Tuesday, which includes $1.6 billion in operating expenses and $235 million in capital spending.

City staff say the budget includes $562.6 million in spending on children’s services, $278.6 million in employment and social services, $223 million on housing and homelessness services, $118.8 million in for long-term care services, $111.5 million on facility operations, $91.4 million for complexes, aquatics and specialized services, $83.8 million on community recreation, culture and sport services, and $77.1 million on parks.

Highlights include:

• A $4 million increase in funding for social and community housing
• $2.18 million for essential health and social supports for vulnerable residents, including low-income seniors
• $700,000 in funding to accelerate the expansion of the non-911 ANCHOR program for mental health and substance use crises
• $400,000 toward the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2030
• A $476,000 increase in food security initiatives, for a total investment of $5.5 million
• Resources to grow approximately 600 childcare spaces in 2026 through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
• $41.7 million for new parks and park improvements, including $23 million for three new district parks
• $1.3 million for cost-shared improvements to parks and recreation facilities
• $290,000 increase in renewable funding for local recreation and cultural organizations
• $2.3 million increase to maintain more than 4,500 hectares of parkland, including $565,000 for maintenance to support new splash pads, growth of new parks, and an increase in boulevard grass cutting
• $350,000 for minor park repairs
• $100,000 for sport field and baseball diamond maintenance

The overall 2026 draft budget includes a 3.75 per cent property tax increase, increases to water rates and solid waste services, and additional funding for OC Transpo and the Ottawa Police Service. If approved, the average property owner will pay an extra $237.30 in property taxes and fees next year.

Standing committees and board will be voting on their portions of the budget through Dec. 8. City council will vote on the full budget on Dec. 10.

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