Halton Regional Council has approved the Region’s 2026 Budget and Business Plan.
The 2026 Budget advances the themes and actions of our 2023-2026 Strategic Business Plan, makes strategic investments to maintain essential services and support growth, with a 3.3% tax increase for Regional services and a 6.0% rate increase for water & wastewater services. These decisions reflect our long-standing commitment to fiscal responsibility and making the most out of your tax dollars.
2026 investment highlights
The 2026 Budget builds on a strong foundation, introducing additional investments to advance and strengthen priority programs and services. Key investments include:
- An additional $8.6 million, to a total of $155.2 million, to support the ongoing state-of-good-repair of the Water and Wastewater system.
- $3.0 million to provide an additional 14.0 FTEs and associated relief hours to address growth and maintain response times in Paramedic Services.
- A $2.0 million increase to support the continued implementation of the Region’s Digital Strategy and improve digital services.
- Adding $1.3 million to enhance the Region-Wide Basement Flooding Mitigation Program.
- An additional $1.1 million contribution to deliver new housing opportunities and support assisted housing.
- A $1.0 million investment in food security programs.
- $500,000 to enhance the Halton Region Community Investment Fund, bringing the total annual funding up to $5.5 million to support Community Safety and Well-Being priorities.
Taxes and rates
- Property tax impact:
- Regional services: 3.3%
- Police services: 6.4%
- Combined property tax increase for Regional and Police services: 4.6% ($14.65 per $100,000 of assessed property value)
- Water and wastewater rates:
- 6.0% increase to maintain the system in a state of good repair and ensure reliable, high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for residents and businesses.
For more than 30 years, Halton has maintained AAA/Aaa credit rating, the highest possible standing. This means we can borrow money at the lowest possible cost, so every public dollar goes further when financing major infrastructure projects.
Thank you to our Finance team and Regional staff for delivering another exceptional Budget. I am confident these investments will keep Halton the place to live, grow and thrive.
Get more information from Halton Region
- Visit halton.ca/budget to read the full 2026 Budget and Business Plan, including detailed breakdowns of investments and services.
- Read the media release: Halton Region Making Critical Community Investments in 2026.
- Watch and learn about what services the Region provides for you (YouTube video link).
- Watch Regional Council discuss the 2026 Budget.
- Follow me @GaryCarrHalton on social media.
- Follow @regionofhalton on social media.
- Subscribe to get our news, notices, monthly highlights and more by email.