Peel Regional Council has unanimously approved its 2026 budget, setting the stage for an average property tax increase of 3.36 per cent for residents in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. The final budget, approved on December 11 after four days of deliberations over three weeks, totals $7.4 billion and includes a $4.3-billion operating budget and a $3.1-billion capital budget.
The initial budget proposal released on November 20 had projected an average property tax hike of 4.2 per cent. Through budget discussions, council and staff were able to reduce the increase by about 20 per cent. According to the Region, the final breakdown includes a 1.53 per cent increase for Peel Region services, a 1.77 per cent increase for Peel Regional Police, and 0.06 per cent for other agencies, bringing the total average increase to 3.36 per cent.
However, the regional increase is only one portion of what residents will ultimately see on their 2026 tax bills. Final property taxes will also reflect decisions made by Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon councils when they approve their own municipal budgets. Overall, property taxes are made up of regional levies, which account for about 46 per cent, local municipal levies at 40 per cent, and school board levies at 14 per cent.
For the regional share alone, taxpayers across Peel can expect an average annual increase of approximately $266 on residential property tax bills and about $468 for commercial or industrial properties.
Residents will also face higher utility costs next year. To address rising infrastructure expenses for water, sewer and stormwater systems, the Region approved a 7.8 per cent utility rate increase. This translates to an average increase of about 21 cents per day, or $75 per year, for a typical household, and roughly 47 cents per day, or $173 per year, for commercial or industrial properties.
Public safety remains a major focus of the 2026 budget. Peel Regional Police will see an $87.8-million increase, or 11.5 per cent, bringing its total budget to $849.7 million. Included in that funding is $30.3 million to hire 175 new police officers and 25 civilian support staff. Peel paramedics will also receive an additional $38 million to support ambulance fleet repairs, equipment upgrades and service enhancements, along with funding to add 40 new paramedics.
The capital budget includes significant investments aimed at supporting growth and provincially mandated housing targets. A total of $1.9 billion has been allocated for backbone infrastructure, including water supply and wastewater systems. Despite the province’s plan to download regional roads to local municipalities starting July 1, 2026, the Region has also set aside $341.3 million for road construction, intersection upgrades and active transportation projects.
Housing and social infrastructure are another major priority. The budget includes $203.9 million in capital investments for Peel Living, community housing provider loans, regionally owned shelters and other buildings, along with $16.5 million to continue the Peel Community Housing Development Program.
Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca said the approved budget balances growth pressures with affordability concerns. “Council has approved a 2026 budget that supports our growing community and addresses the affordability crisis,” he said. “This budget is focused on supporting population-driven service demand, building homes faster, developing deeply affordable housing, and enhancing community safety and well-being, ensuring we continue building a Community for Life.”
More details and the full 2026 Peel Region budget are available at peelregion.ca.