This week City council voted on the Lansdowne report in addition to tabling the 2024 Budget. Over the next few weeks, I will be reviewing this document as we look at every department budget through the corresponding committees. My biggest budget concern is how we, as a city, can keep up with all that needs to be done to maintain our services when we have a cap of 2.5% on all department budgets. We have all seen increased costs in our own household budgets and the city is no different as they work their way through repairing old and building new infrastructure as well as providing services such as keeping our parks clean, buses running and clearing snow from our streets. The budget is over $5 billion but there is not a lot of room to subtract especially from programs that bring value and support to those in more vulnerable communities. The top concern will be affordable housing to help address the homelessness crisis. The final budget vote is December 6th so November will be a long month of discussions and decision making. I will continue to keep residents informed as we move forward during the budget process.
Residents still have an opportunity to submit comments on the draft 2024 budget
The proposed budget will be considered by all Standing Committees in the coming weeks, then considered and adopted by Council on Wednesday, December 6. Residents have many ways to continue to have a say about Draft Budget 2024:
- Submit your ideas directly to your Ward Councillor.
- Visit Engage Ottawa for an up-to-date list of Councillor-led budget consultation sessions and to ask any budget related questions.
- Register as a public delegation to make a five-minute presentation at a budget review meeting of any standing committee, board or commission. Visit ottawa.ca/budget to learn about meeting dates.
- Follow and communicate with us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), using the hashtag #OttBudget.
- Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Rural residents call 613-580-2400.
