Ottawa will get its first look at the 2026 draft municipal budget on Wednesday, as city staff unveil a financial plan that’s expected to boost funding for police, tackle youth homelessness and try to keep OC Transpo from going off the fiscal rails.

It will be the city’s last budget before next year’s municipal election. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is scheduled to hold a news conference at 9 a.m., just before the document goes public.

Much of the budget is already fixed, given pressures from inflation and collective agreements, as well as previous council decisions and long-term plans that dictate funding for water, sewage and garbage.

Council has also set an upper limit on taxes, asking city staff to hold any increase to a maximum of 3.75 per cent overall.

That’s enough to raise about $81 mil

See Full Page