You will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to inform the City’s draft budget for 2024. Resident feedback is integral to the development of the City’s budget. It’s your city and your budget, so have your say!
Visit the Engage Ottawa Budget 2024 page today to complete a survey so we can first hear from you on your budget priorities. The survey will close at the end of October and the results will be posted on Engage Ottawa.
Important dates and information
- Ongoing: Residents provide feedback and questions related to Draft Budget 2024 through social media (using #OttBudget), 3-1-1, your local Councillor and feedback tools on Engage Ottawa.
- Monday, September 25: Technical briefing for members of Council and the media to enhance general knowledge and understanding of the City’s budget process and help support Councillor-led public consultations on the draft budget. The technical briefing will be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel and available with simultaneous interpretation.
- October to November 2023: Councillor-led budget consultations take place to receive input from residents. Exact dates for consultations will be communicated by Councillors, posted on ottawa.ca, Engage Ottawa and social media.
- Wednesday, November 8: Draft Budget 2024 is tabled at Ottawa City Council. In addition to this Council meeting, the three boards listed below hold their own meetings to table their respective budgets.
- November to December 2023: Residents can submit questions to City staff through Engage Ottawa.
- Wednesday, December 6: Draft Budget 2024 is considered for adoption at Ottawa City Council.
Budget background
- Every year, the City of Ottawa produces a municipal budget. One of the City’s most important documents, the budget is the blueprint that defines how money is received (revenue) and spent (expenses). There are two building blocks to the draft budget:
- The operating budget funds City programs and services that residents rely on every day.
- The capital budget pays for the rehabilitation of current infrastructure and assets under the City’s control or to invest in growth of our City.
- The draft budget is broken down by Committee, department and service areas as described in the Table of City Services and Standing Committee reporting structure. With direction from Council, the budget is drafted and tabled for review by each Standing Committee and adopted by Council. Aside from the draft budget considered by Committees, there are three boards who make recommendations to Council regarding their draft budgets:
- Ottawa Police Services Board
- Ottawa Board of Health
- Ottawa Public Library Board
- Draft Budget 2024 supports Council’s commitment to fund ongoing operational needs. The draft budget is respectful of taxpayer dollars, continuing to invest prudently in Ottawa’s future to build a resilient, affordable and connected city.
- For more information about the City’s budget, visit the Budget, finance and corporate planning page.
