The City Council approved the 2026 Budget and I am proud to share that it reflects what residents in Wards 1 and 5 have consistently told me. Keep taxes affordable, protect essential services, and invest in the neighbourhoods where people live, work, and raise their families.
“This year’s budget reflects what residents in Wards 1 and 5 shared directly through our community budget meetings to keep taxes affordable and focus on essentials. Budget 2026 delivers a zero per cent increase to the City’s operating tax rate, with only the required one per cent levy to support Brampton’s second hospital. At the same time, it advances city-wide initiatives such as hiring additional bylaw enforcement and fire prevention officers, while also supporting important local priorities. These include the opening of the Chris Gibson Recreation Centre and Century Gardens Youth Hub, expanded programming and ice rink at the Bovaird House site, a larger rink at Duggan Park, the long-awaited playground at W.J. Clifford Park and changes to fees and bylaws related to abandoned shopping carts to help prevent dumping in our green spaces and neighbourhoods This is a responsible budget that listens to residents, protects affordability, and delivers real results in our neighbourhoods.”
– Rowena Santos, Brampton Wards 1 & 5 Councillor
Working alongside City of Brampton, Patrick Brown, and my Council colleagues, we passed a budget that is fiscally responsible while continuing to move our city forward.
Just as important as the final numbers is how we got here.
Shaped by Community Input
Budget 2026 was informed by an extensive engagement process, including city-wide online consultations, local ward budget coffee chats, and a telephone town hall that allowed thousands of residents to ask questions and share priorities directly.
The consistent message was clear. Residents want affordability, strong core services, safer neighbourhoods, and practical local improvements.
Those priorities are reflected in the budget that Council approved.
Keeping Affordability Front and Centre
The 2026 Budget maintains a 0% increase for City operations; however, a 1% Hospital Levy will be applied to the City’s portion of the tax bill. This equates to approximately $73 per year for the average residential property assessed at $543,000. These funds ensure we meet the City’s provincially required $125 million commitment to the William Osler Health System, supporting the completion of Brampton’s second hospital.
This approach keeps Brampton’s municipal tax rate among the lowest in the GTA at a time when many families are feeling financial pressure.
Strong Services You Rely On Every Day
The Operating Budget of $1.049 billion, reflecting a 0 percent increase, supports day-to-day services residents depend on, including:
- Fire and emergency services
- Transit operations
- Parks maintenance and winter control
- Recreation programming
- Core City operations
- Enforcement and Bylaw services
These are the services that keep Brampton running, and protecting them is a top priority
Investing in Safer Neighbourhoods
Budget 2026 strengthens community safety through:
- 24 new firefighters
- New staffing for parking management and road safety
- Additional seasonal and permanent enforcement officers
- Expanded rental housing compliance inspections
- Six additional vehicles equipped with Licence Plate Recognition technology to improve parking enforcement efficiency
- Increased fines for by-law and fire code violations
These measures support stronger enforcement, quicker response times, and better neighbourhood standards.
Real Results for Wards 1 and 5
Residents in our community asked for practical, local improvements, and I am pleased to see them included in this budget:
- Opening of the Chris Gibson Recreation Centre
- Opening of the Century Gardens Youth Hub
- Expanded programming at Historic Bovaird House including an ice rink
- A larger rink at Duggan Park
- The long-awaited playground at W.J. Clifford Park
- Changes to fees and bylaws related to abandoned shopping carts to help prevent dumping in green spaces and neighbourhoods
These are tangible projects that will make a real difference in daily life.
Building for the Future
The $349.5 million Capital Budget supports long-term investments in:
- Roads, bridges, parks, and trails
- Recreation amenities and facilities
- Infrastructure and equipment needed for a growing city
Brampton will also maintain a record $178.5 million in reserves, strengthening long-term financial stability and protecting taxpayers.
Residents can explore projects in their neighbourhood through the City’s new Capital Project Mapping and Visualization Tool, which shows how capital dollars are being invested across the city.
Supporting Jobs, Culture, and Sustainability
Budget 2026 also includes:
- Continued investment in the Brampton Innovation District and BHive
- $1 million for the Brampton Venture Zone
- $1 million for the Cybersecure Catalyst
- Approximately $1 million annually for arts sector development through the Brampton Arts Organization
- Planning for The Rose Theatre’s 20th anniversary
- Climate and environmental initiatives, including energy efficiency projects, wetland restoration, and 50,000 tree plantings
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the engagement process. Your input directly helped shape this budget. If you have questions about Budget 2026 or would like more information, please contact me at rowena.santos@brampton.ca
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