In September, I met with the Mayor, City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to discuss budget considerations, budget directions and Ward 12 priorities. On September 18, 2024, Council passed the budget directions document that supported a 3.9% property tax increase. This increase was contingent on staff coming back to Council to report whether a 3.9% increase would be adequate to cover what is needed for transit.
Although I voted for the budget direction, I am waiting to see the draft budget tabled on November 13th. I am still unsure about my budget vote as media stories have been overwhelmingly dominated by issues like asylum seekers, transit and housing which should involve upper levels of government. I supported the budget direction of a 3.9% property tax increase because there are many struggling families in Ward 12 whose cost of living is higher than their wages. I am also concerned that property tax increases will be passed on to tenants who then may not be able to stay in their current homes. I have already received emails about landlords surprising tenants with ‘levies’ onto their tenants for things like garbage and security upgrades and blaming municipal tax increases. This, in my view, is unacceptable as we need to keep people in their units and avoid all types of sneaky evictions and renovictions.
I am aware that, historically, rate increases by the City may not be keeping pace with inflation, especially in the last four years of the COVID-19 pandemic where the cost of living has increased drastically. I am also aware that because of that, real spending by the City adjusted for inflation may demonstrate a decrease in the spending that seeks to maintain services at their current levels. This approach guided my submission to the Mayor when we met in September (see below) I will be reviewing the draft budget and your comments carefully before deciding how to vote on it and any amendments.
The City’s 2025 draft budget will be tabled at Council on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, and considered for adoption by Council on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. I have scheduled a virtual town hall on Nov 21st between tabling and adoption. Last year, I prioritized children and youth in specific in-person consultations in schools that supplemented my virtual consultation session. This year I plan to hold consultations in some of our condos that house young professionals, families, and seniors. I will be in touch soon to seek help in facilitating these consultations.
I invite you to submit your budget ideas whether as individual residents or representing organizations (or both in some cases) in Ward 12. Please submit to stephanie.plante@ottawa.ca from now until November 19th. I look forward to hearing from you.
Learn more about the city budget here.
Thank you,
Stéphanie Plante
Councillor
Ward 12 Rideau Vanier
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