This week at City Council, the 2025 Budget was tabled. You can read the full budget HERE. Each section of the budget will go to committee for discussion. Residents can speak to each budget section at committee or provide written comments if they wish. Below, you’ll find a list of the dates for each committee and the coordinator contact should you wish to sign up to speak. You can also submit your comments via email to the clerk, and they will be shared with all committee members. Please CC my office on any comments you submit so I can ensure I read them as well.
Many of you have likely heard about the proposed fare increases in the 2025 Transit Budget, which I’ve shared my concerns about HERE.
I’ve also reviewed the budget for Bay Ward-specific projects and am pleased to see the following items included—many of which I’ve been advocating for over several years, based on concerns from residents:
- Kingsmere Park: Playground design
- Sidewalk renewal projects: Dumaurier (north side) and Ramsay Crescent (both sides)
- Frank Ryan Tennis Court: Resurfacing
- 30 Cleary Avenue Park: Design phase for a new urban park near Cleary Street and New Orchard transit station
- Ancaster Park: Urban parkette at 2175 Carling redevelopment
- Britannia Beach Parking Lot: Design and resurfacing
- Richmond Road Renewal Project: Ongoing design and construction from Bayshore to High Street, including sidewalk renewal, cycle tracks, and road resurfacing
Two other important projects, while not listed in the 2025 or 2026 budgets, are highlighted for 2027 and 2028: community houses for Woodroffe (2027) and Frank Ryan (2028). While I would like to see funding for these earlier—particularly as design work has already been completed using the ward’s Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland funds—it’s encouraging to see them included in future budget projections. These projects rely on a combination of development charges and tax support, with staff noting that tax support has been the primary hurdle in moving this forward.
While I welcome these improvements for Bay Ward, the overall budget is limited in addressing many priorities that residents have raised, from improving transit service to increasing affordable housing. I remained concern on the burden that is being put on seniors regarding transit costs as they lose the free ride days and see a 120% increase in their monthly bus pass.
As always, I encourage you to stay engaged throughout this process. Your input is invaluable, and together we can continue advocating for the changes our community needs. If you have any questions or require assistance with participating in the budget process, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Below is information from the Mayor’s office regarding how the budget effects older adults. I remain concerned on the overall impact of the transit hikes that will take away the free ride days and increase the cost of the current monthly bus pass rate. We need to increase ridership, and these measures will reduce the number of older adults who use transit. Putting the burden of the deficit on ridership will only discourage residents from using transit.
From the City of Ottawa’s Draft Budget 2025, here are the key investments supporting seniors:
Paramedic Services
- The budget allocates funds for 23 additional paramedics to improve response times across the city. This investment ensures timely emergency medical services, including for senior residents.
Older Adult Plan
- The Older Adult Plan continues to receive funding, focusing on active aging, social inclusion, and connecting seniors to vital community services. This aligns with the city’s broader health and wellness objectives for seniors.
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
- $12.8 million is allocated to support the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which includes initiatives addressing mental health, substance use, and poverty—issues that often intersect with seniors’ needs.
EquiPass for Low-Income Seniors
- The budget maintains discounted transit fares through the EquiPass program, ensuring affordable transportation for low-income seniors. The program’s funding has increased, with $7.9 million directed toward community and EquiPass programs in 2025.
Parks and Recreation
- Investments in parks and recreation services prioritize access and inclusivity for seniors. The budget includes:
- $80.6 million for community recreation, cultural, and sports programs.
- Dedicated senior programs such as health and fitness drop-ins, social events, and arts-based activities.
Affordable Housing for Seniors
- The budget invests $104 million in community housing and benefits, supporting affordability and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable groups like seniors.
- The Housing and Homelessness Investment Plan allocates $17.6 million to address the needs of seniors and others at risk of homelessness.
These investments reflect Ottawa’s commitment to ensuring seniors live in a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
| Committee Name | Meeting Date | Coordinator Contact |
| Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committe | Thursday December 5th, 2024 | Kelly Crozier, (613) 580-2424, ext. 16875 Kelly.Crozier@ottawa.ca |
| Audit Committee | Monday, December 02, 2024 | Mélanie Blais, (613) 580-2424, ext. 27005, melanie.blais@ottawa.ca |
| Community Services Committee | Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | Eric Pelot, eric.pelot@ottawa.ca, (613) 580-2424, ext. 22953 |
| Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee | Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | Christopher Zwierzchowski, (613) 580-2424, ext. 21359 Christopher.Zwierzchowski@ottawa.ca |
| Environment and Climate Change Committee – Tax Supported Environment and Climate Change Committee – Rate Supported | Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | Christopher Zwierzchowski, (613) 580-2424, ext. 21359 Christopher.Zwierzchowski@ottawa.ca |
| Finance and Corporate Services Committee | Tuesday, December 03, 2024 | Melinda Aston, (613) 580-2424, ext. 21838 melinda.aston@ottawa.ca |
| Planning and Housing Committee | Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | Kelly Crozier, (613) 580-2424, ext. 16875 Kelly.Crozier@ottawa.ca |
| Transportation Committee | Thursday, November 28, 2024 | Rosa Ramos, (613) 580-2424, ext. 21934, Rosa.Ramos4@ottawa.ca |
| Transit Commission | Monday, November 25, 2024 | Eric Pelot, eric.pelot@ottawa.ca, (613) 580-2424, ext. 22953 |
