Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy has trimmed more than $860,000 from the town’s proposed 2026 budget, reducing the projected property tax increase from 3.99 to 3.49 per cent. The move, announced Friday afternoon, comes in response to widespread concern among residents over rising living costs and municipal tax pressures.
“I heard clearly during our public consultations that residents are worried about affordability,” Roy said. “I’ve worked closely with staff to explore every possible option to reduce the impact on taxpayers, including what it would take to achieve a zero-per-cent increase.”
The savings come from several targeted cuts and adjustments, including a $500,000 reduction in contributions to the Growth Reserve Fund, halving the Council Education Budget to save $21,000, boosting lease revenue by $160,000, and removing 12 summer student positions, which saves another $180,829. Roy cautioned that deeper cuts would risk service reductions and undermine essential programs.
Despite the cost-cutting measures, the mayor said the 2026 budget still prioritizes maintaining infrastructure, supporting Whitby’s continued growth, and delivering quality public services. The proposed budget includes no new staff hires, and town staff have already identified $2.5 million in overall expenditure reductions — some of which could affect service levels.
Roy also highlighted new sources of revenue such as the four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax on hotels and motels, which generated $600,000 in its first year, and a record $56 million in grants secured in 2024. Work is ongoing on a Core Services Review to find further savings and efficiencies across departments.
Earlier this fall, Roy directed all town departments to cut costs by five per cent and put a hold on new hires to help control expenses amid widespread financial strain across Ontario’s municipalities. “We know many residents are feeling the pinch,” Roy said. “During our budget consultations in June, nearly half of respondents said keeping taxes low was their top priority, even if it meant no new investments.”
The mayor noted that municipalities across the province face growing financial pressure as nearly one-third of local budgets now go toward services under provincial jurisdiction, such as housing, homelessness, and social supports. This funding gap—estimated at $4 billion annually—continues to challenge local governments as they work to balance fiscal responsibility with community needs.
Roy said Whitby’s approach aims to strike that balance, ensuring fiscal discipline while keeping essential services intact and maintaining the town’s momentum for sustainable growth.