Brampton homeowners will see their property taxes increase by nearly $200 this year as the city finalizes its 2025 operating budget, which exceeds $1 billion. While funds are allocated for staffing and essential services, the budget includes significant cuts to planned transit projects.
After a week of debate, Brampton City Council, led by Mayor Patrick Brown, approved the 2025 city budget on Monday. The decision cements a $194 hike to the city’s portion of property tax bills. Combined with a $300 increase from the Region of Peel, Brampton homeowners will face a total property tax increase of approximately $500 in 2025.
The budget includes an 8.2% rise in labour expenditures, amounting to an increase of $43 million from last year, bringing the total to over $576 million. The city’s operating budget has grown by 12.9%, or $117.6 million, reaching a record $1 billion.
Revenue sources include:
- $630 million from Brampton property taxes.
- $346 million from user fees and service charges.
- Additional funds from reserves, grants, investments, and other income.
The capital budget for 2025 is set at $368.2 million, reflecting a decrease of $83.6 million from last year’s projections. Notable cuts include:
- A reduction in new transit bus purchases from $90 million to $55 million.
- Complete removal of $15.4 million for bus refurbishment.
- Elimination of $17.8 million allocated for the Zum BRT Bramalea route.
Despite reductions in transit spending, the budget includes funding for several major initiatives:
- $300 million for Brampton Transit’s third facility.
- $15.5 million for downtown revitalization.
- $15 million for the Riverwalk project.
- $23 million for winter-optimized facilities, including the Earnscliffe Cricket Dome.
Brampton City Council had previously frozen property taxes for several years after the 2018 municipal election. However, the trend shifted in 2022 with the introduction of a 1% tax levy to fund the Peel Memorial Hospital upgrade project. Subsequent increases of 2.9% in 2023 and 1.9% in 2024 laid the groundwork for this year’s significant hike.