Norm Davidson says seeing police officers in his hometown of Barrhaven doesn’t happen very often. “I’ve been living here for about six years, and I rarely see police cars going by,” he says. That could soon change with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pitching what could be the largest increase to the Ottawa police budget in more than 15 years. Sutcliffe is directing staff to develop the 2026 budget with an increase to the police levy of up to 6.5 per cent, which would add an extra $25 million to the police service’s net operating budget next year. The mayor’s proposal for the budget would cap the property tax increase at 3.75 per cent overall, costing the average homeowner an extra $166 in 2026, but Davidson believes it’s worth it. “I’d be willing to pay a bit extra,” Davison says. “I’m paying tax for a lot of other taxes, so one more would hardly make a difference, I wouldn’t even notice it.” Police Chief Eric Stubbs says the money would be used to spread police resources out across the city and hire more staff. “In terms of, you know, budget increase, we’re at the bottom and we have been for a number of years,” Stubbs says. “That has taken a toll on our ability to serve the community, to be quite frank.” Stubbs adds he has heard from councillors in different wards and says an increased police presence was something all of them had asked for. “This is about growth, and it is about bringing a more sustained level of policing, from Carp to Orleans, ByWard Market to Centertown to Barrhaven, all the different areas that we have to cover, making sure that we’re addressing their unique needs,” Stubbs says. Stubbs adds there will be work on the budget throughout September and into October to present it to the Ottawa Police Service Board. The draft budget will be tabled at city council in November.
