Halton has a strong, collaborative working relationship with the Provincial Government, and together we are delivering real results for the Halton community. Our 2026 Provincial Pre‑Budget Submission (PDF file) builds on that partnership and focuses on four priorities for the Halton community:
Delivering critical infrastructure to support housing is one of Halton’s greatest strengths. There is significant interest from the development community to build homes in Halton, and we have the capacity to build the water and wastewater infrastructure needed to support 104,000 new housing units by 2031.
To support the continued successful delivery of critical housing-enabling infrastructure, we’re asking the Province to work with Halton to explore alternative funding tools that keep projects moving without shifting costs to property tax and water and wastewater rate payers, including the expansion of infrastructure funding programs.
Providing housing for those with the greatest need is increasingly urgent. Rents have risen sharply while social assistance rates have remained static, pushing more households out of the rental market in Halton. Unsheltered homelessness has increased dramatically; shelters in Halton are operating at 140% above capacity, and the demand for assisted housing far exceeds supply.
We’re asking the Province to support us by increasing social assistance rates, strengthening coordination across all levels of government, providing capital funding for supportive housing, partnering with us to build shovel‑ready projects, and increasing funding allocated through the Homelessness Prevention Program.
Keeping property taxes and water and wastewater rates as low as possible is a priority we share with residents and businesses. Each year, this becomes more challenging as Provincial funding for cost‑shared health and social services fails to keep pace with growth, demand and inflation. In 2026, Halton will need to fund a total of $18.5 million above the Provincial cost-share model to maintain service levels and support the community.
The Development Charges Act, 1997 (DCA), also limits the recovery of growth-related costs from new development and creates uncertainty about funding the critical infrastructure needed to support growth. In Halton, the total estimated funding gap under the DCA versus the “growth pays for growth” principle is currently $20.5 million.
—In 2026, 6.2% of Halton’s property taxes collected will be used to cover the Provincial funding shortfalls for health and social services and Development Charge revenue limitations.
We’re asking the Province to support us by contributing its intended share, working with us to explore alternative sources of funding for growth-related infrastructure that do not impact property taxes and ratepayers, and participating in further discussions with FCM and AMO on long‑term municipal financial sustainability.
Expanding affordable child care to meet demand is essential for Halton families. Provincial Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) allocations have not kept pace with our rapid growth, creating a significant shortage of affordable spaces. Child care operators are ready to quickly operationalize 4,200+ new spaces if the Province allocates more funding and spaces. Immediate investment from the Province would help meet urgent demand, shorten wait times, and provide families with the reliable, affordable care they need.
We’re asking the Province to support us by funding at least 4,200 new CWELCC spaces, updating the allocation model to reflect current and future community needs, restoring flexibility to the Local Priorities Fund, extending capital timelines beyond December 31, 2026, and increasing administrative funding to reflect increased program oversight.
Achieving More for the Halton Community Together
We’re grateful for the Province’s continued partnership and recent investments that are already delivering results in Halton—from housing‑enabling infrastructure funding to supportive and assisted housing initiatives.
Our 2026 Pre‑Budget Submission builds on that momentum. With continued Provincial partnership, we can deliver even more—helping people across Halton live, grow, and thrive.
Additional Information:
- Halton Region’s 2026 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission (PDF file)
- Advocating for a Strong Halton
- Advocacy document: Delivering Critical Infrastructure to Support Housing
- Advocacy document: Providing Housing for Those with the Greatest Need (PDF file)
- Advocacy document: Expanding Child Care Spaces to Meet Demand (PDF file)