• Ottawa Lookout
  • Posts
  • It's draft budget day in Ottawa. Here is what it could mean for you

It's draft budget day in Ottawa. Here is what it could mean for you

The City of Ottawa is facing mounting debt and transit costs. Some tough decisions need to be made. We will find out today how bad the damage will be.

Sponsored by

Good morning! 

It’s almost the middle of November and that means the unofficial start to the Christmas season has begun. I spent part of the weekend stringing my outdoor lights before it gets too cold, but will wait another few weeks before putting up my tree. 

City council’s version of Christmas is today with the tabling of the 2025 budget, but it’s not expected to be a jolly one. It’s no secret the city is in a tight financial spot and that will most likely cost everyone more money. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has invited the media to an early morning press conference before the budget is tabled — perhaps as damage control to help ease the sting. We have an overview of what could be included and some of the challenges council is facing.

Let’s get to the news of the day! 

— Charlie Senack, managing editor 

X: @Charlie_Senack

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Wednesday: 5 🌡️ -4 | ☁️

Thursday: 4 🌡️ -3 | 🌤️

Friday: 8 🌡️ -1 | 🌤️

CITY HALL

Ottawa’s draft budget is being tabled today. Here is how bad it could be

It’s budget season: Wednesday will be an important day at city hall as next year's draft budget is released. We already know it will be tighter than anyone would like.

Last month, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee approved the City’s proposed 2025 budget directions, timeline, and consultation process. It proposed a municipal tax increase of no more than 2.9 per cent. 

The sticking point is on transit: The transit levy could see an increase anywhere between 2.9 per cent and 37 per cent. It will all depend on how much additional money comes from upper levels of government, but for now, at least, that doesn’t look promising. 

  • What does that mean? Transit fares will be going up again anywhere between 2.5 and 75 per cent in 2025. On the backend, there could be fare discount adjustments, operating efficiencies and/or service reductions, and capital deferrals. 

How did we get here? The city is facing a $120 million hole in its transit budget due to low ridership. While it has been on the increase with federal public servants returning to in-person work three days a week, many who use the bus are seniors or students who have cheaper fares. 

  • By the numbers: A 2.9 per cent hike on both the police services budget and the one which funds city services would add about $100 to the property tax bill for an average home in urban Ottawa, reported CBC. If the entire transit hole was to be covered solely by the transit levy on property tax bills (which it almost certainly will not), roughly $333 would be added to each bill. 

The other options for transit: None of them are promising. It could mean more reductions to services, fewer options for fare discounts, or pushing capital projects back even further. If a 75 per cent increase in fares has to happen, it would bring each ride above $6.70. Again, it’s highly unlikely any of these options would be solely done on their own. These are worst-case scenarios. 

Support could come from upper levels of government: In August Mayor Mark Sutcliffe launched his “Fairness for Ottawa” campaign, where he begged the provincial and federal governments to step up their financial support for city services, particularly transit. The campaign was unanimously endorsed by city council on Sept. 8. 

Sutcliffe blamed the feds for not paying its fair share of payment in lieu of taxes for its federal properties and noted the province hadn’t paid enough for major transit projects such as light rail. 

  • OC Transpo projected having 112 million rides in 2023, but in reality there were only 64 million. That’s only 57 per cent of what was forecasted when the city decided Stage 2 was affordable to build. 

Community groups present an alternative vision: A group of organizations is calling on the city to raise taxes "to a level that sustains existing services and infrastructure.” That could include increasing parking fees, and investing in transit, community services and climate action, according to CTV. 

The group blasted the city for spending on projects like road widening and Lansdowne 2.0. 

  • “Current spending does not reflect either the depth of our challenges or the scope of our ambitions," said the coalition of community groups.

City council will approve the 2025 budget on Dec. 11.

Province promises more money for Ottawa, but none for transit — at least for now 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Ottawa last week to announce more support for the city, but no further funding was allocated for transit. The Mayor hinted that could change. 

During a fireside chat with Sutcliffe at the Economic Club of Canada held at the Chateau Laurier, Ford promised $48 million over the next three years — primarily to be spent on law enforcement and security. 

A bulk of the money will go towards a beefed-up police presence in the ByWard Market and “community-based initiatives including outreach and alternative mental health supports.” While money for buses or trains isn’t included, OC Transpo will be getting some funding for more OC Transpo special constables. 

  • An additional $40 million will go towards Ottawa’s emergency shelter system. 

Defunding safe consumption sites: Earlier this year, the province announced at the Association of Municipalities Ontario conference held in Ottawa that 10 safe consumption sites in Ontario would be forced to close. That included the one which operated out of the Somerset West Community Health Centre. Speaking with Sutcliffe, Ford defended his government's decision. 

  • “You can’t give people drugs when they’re an addict. It’s like giving a gambling addict a handful of poker chips and dropping them off at the casino,” said Ford, according to the Ottawa Citizen. “We don’t need safe supply … We want to give people an opportunity to get back on their feet, get gainful employment and feel good about themselves.”

Controversy over bike lanes: Outside the conference, a few dozen cyclists with their bikes rallied over the government's new changes coming to bike lanes. Municipalities will need to jump through more hoops if they choose to build them, and some existing lanes could be removed — though it’s unlikely that will happen in Ottawa. There were rumors the O’Connor bike lane could be removed, but Ford hinted that’s unlikely saying the issues are in Toronto.

Take a moment to support the women who make our clothes

As many of us gear up for the festive season and shop for our loved ones, an unsettling reality resides in the supply chain behind our joy. Many Canadian fashion brands are still failing to be transparent about their supply chain practices.

Roots, a beloved household name, is one such brand. The only information available about where they source their clothes is a map of continents, while transparency standards call for specific factory addresses and worker demographics. This lack of transparency enables poor working conditions, including poverty wages.

Join Oxfam Canada's What She Makes campaign in demanding that Roots ensure a living wage for the women who make their clothes and provides full transparency about their sourcing practices. Send a letter to their CEO now!

Let’s stand up for the rights and livelihoods of those who work hard to bring us joy.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

📬72: The number of hours the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issues to Canada Post over a looming strike. [CTV] 

🎄 79%: The amount of Canadians who are planning to spend less this holiday season. [CTV]

📚 39: The number of weekly operational hours being added to rural libraries in Ottawa. [Ottawa Citizen]

THE AGENDA

🎓 Carleton University says they were already planning for a $26 million deficit this year, however that number will now be much higher than anticipated. A drop in international students and lower Ontario domestic tuition rates are partly to blame. [Ottawa Citizen]

🛌 Pushback is mounting after sites in Kanata and Nepean were identified for sprung structures to be built. Over the weekend, three protests were held, and hundreds, if not thousands, attended. Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine said he had no idea that a structure would come to his ward, but has indicated Ward 9 is there to help. Kanata Coun. Allan Hubley has expressed concern over how many migrants could come to Canada given results of the latest U.S. election, and said no funding has been allocated for the possible site in his ward yet. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎤 Osgoode Coun. George Darouze has announced he’s running for the Ontario Progressive Conservative nomination in Carleton. In a social media, post Darouze said it’s been an honour to serve at city hall and said, “it’s time for Carleton to have a strong voice at Queen’s Park again.” The rural riding is currently represented by independent MPP Goldie Ghamari, who was ousted from Ford’s caucus earlier this year. [CTV]

🚑 Two Ottawa community health centers, Somerset West Community Health Centre and the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, have applied to become HART hubs to support those battling homelessness and addiction issues. [CTV]

👮🏼‍♀️ Ottawa Police are investigating after a threat was made to Notre Dame High School in Westboro. There was a law enforcement presence at the school Tuesday after the call came in. Parents will learn more information when it becomes available. [CTV]

📆 Thousands gathered in Downtown Ottawa at the National War Memorial on Monday for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. It's not just a day to mark past service, but also to pay tribute to the 4,385 Canadian forces personnel who are currently deployed. Around 1,900 Canadian forces are in Latvia to train Ukrainian soldiers as part of Operation Reassurance, Canada's current largest international military operation. [CBC]

🏫 The principal of Sir Robert Borden High School has apologized after the Arabic song  ‘Haza Salam' was played at its Remembrance Day ceremony. The word translates in English to "This is Peace” and has been a song played to oppose the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. On social media, Nepean MPP shared her “anger and disappointment” over the incident and said the school did not follow Royal Canadian Legion protocol. [CTV]

❄️ Ottawa’s tourism industry is looking to adapt to climate change. Hotels in the Capital say they are seeing more last-minute bookings in the winter due to the unpredictability of the canal opening. There is hope this winter will be more seasonal than last. [Ottawa Business Journal]

👮🏼‍♀️ A Quebec provincial police officer from the Outaouais region has been suspended for 15 days after throwing part of a young motorcycle accident victim's skull into a ravine in 2021. The piece of bone was found by the victim's mother when she was looking for her deceased son's cell phone. [CTV]

ARTS

The European Union Film Festival is taking place from Nov. 30 to 15 at the Ottawa Art Gallerry. One film from each of the 27 European Union member state will be screened, and to show solidarity with the unfortunately still embattled people of Ukraine, a powerful and critically acclaimed feature documentary from Ukraine will be presented at a special benefit screening on the final day of the Festival. 

At the Gladstone Theatre, The Lion in Winter is playing until Nov. 23. It takes place in Christmas 1183 and the Plantagenets are gathering for a family Christmas and Henry II has a succession plan.

Looking to get into the holiday season? A Mandala ornament workshop will be held at the Dymon Storage Trainyards location on Dec. 1 The classic dotting skills you learn in this class will allow you to design and create your own unique mandalas, which you can use in your own artwork, whether you are painting on stones, canvas, paper, or any other smooth surface.

Music gig listing

Listings for music shows are provided by Ottawa gigis, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

Art of the Duo | Gigspace, 953 Gladstone Ave | Nov. 14 | Join esteemed jazz artists Tim Bedner (guitar) and Mike Essoudry (drums) for a set of favourite standards and originals. Tickets $20. 

Loversteeth | House of Targ, 1077 Bank St | Nov. 14 | Post-metal/post-hardcore band known for their atmospheric hard rock sound, blending bold nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Tickets $15.

Suzie Ungerleider | Red Bird, 1165 Bank St | Nov. 16 | Award-winning singer-songwriter celebrated for her evocative melodies and poetic songcraft. Tickets $38. 

Laylit | Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St | Nov. 16 | Unique dance party celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora through boundary-pushing electronic music. Tickets $31.

CARYS | Live! On Elgin, 220 Elgin St | Nov. 17 | Unapologetically authentic, emerging Canadian pop sensation follows up her viral hit ‘Princesses Don’t Cry’. Tickets $15.

This home shows you can have it all

A beautiful home that can also generate income? Yes, it exists, and it's located at 598 Golden Ave in the beautiful Westboro Village, next to the Dovercourt Community Association.

This 2020 custom-built home is the place of your dreams, with 3+1 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. A large kitchen and dining area means you'll be the one hosting parties. The basement is a separate legal suite, to help pay off your mortgage.

This is a sponsored home listing. If you would like to list a home in our publication to reach 40,000 people in Ottawa, contact our sales team today.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
OTTAWA GUESSER

Congrats to everyone who knew last week’s Ottawa GUESSER was the corner of Bank and Sunnyside.

Can you guess where this week’s is? Reply with your name and the correct answer to be featured in the newsletter.

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.