Hi neighbours,
With students returning to school this week and next, I want to remind drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to do their part to keep our roads safe and to be alert for students and school buses. I hope all Bay Ward students and their families have a wonderful return to classes!
Budget planning for 2026
Next week, the Finance Committee will consider the Mayor’s proposed Budget Directions for 2026. These directions set the parameters for next year’s budget, providing guidance to City staff as they develop a more detailed operational budget for services in the coming months. Once these directions are approved, it becomes very difficult to add any new programs, so I will be following the deliberations at next week’s committee closely. As always, I am committed to advocating for spending that reflects the needs of our growing city and puts all residents first. Here are a few items I’ll be paying close attention to:
Increasing the budget for the Ottawa Police Service
The proposed directions include an increase between 2.9% and 6.5% for Ottawa Police Services. I am encouraged that the new District Policing Model will mean more officers patrolling in the community, with quicker response times and a deeper engagement with the neighbourhoods the police serve. The safety and wellbeing of all residents is critical to a thriving community. I would like the city to fund more services that provide support to our most vulnerable residents. For example, the Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) program in Centretown provides immediate support for people experiencing mental health or substance crises at a fraction of the cost of a police intervention. As we plan for next year, I will encourage city staff to look at providing similar programs across the city, as we all know that mental health and addiction issues are present in every area of our city, not just downtown. I will also continue to advocate for more funding for supportive housing units, so people with complex needs receive the supports they need right where they live.
Encouraging transit ridership
I know residents in our ward are eagerly awaiting the opening of the West extension of the LRT in 2027. With 7 new stations here in Bay Ward, this will be a major step forward in providing residents with sustainable, reliable public transit across the city. While we deal with construction and route adjustments over the next year, it’s crucial that the City allocate adequate operational funds to ensure transit remains affordable, particularly for residents who rely on it as their primary means of transportation. A hike in transit fares would have the adverse effect of discouraging ridership, at a time when we need more residents to think of public transit as a viable alternative to driving.
Planning for long term stewardship of City Assets
Finally, we need to plan for long-term, sustainable funding for critical infrastructure in our city- including recreation complexes. Here in Bay Ward, Belltown Dome is an example of a facility that has exceeded its lifecycle, and we’re now looking at options for how it can continue to meet the needs of residents. Recreation complexes and parks are a foundational piece in building thriving communities, and we need to ensure our budget reflects the value they bring, particularly in neighbourhoods with denser development.
As you can see, it will be a busy fall on City Council! In the coming weeks, my office will be organizing a public budget consultation with Councillor Devine and Councillor Johnson, to hear directly from the communities we serve. I look forward to hearing your views. As always, you can also reach out to my team at bayward@ottawa.ca with any questions or comments.
Read the full newsletter for more news and events across Bay Ward.
