2026 Tax & Water (Rate) Budget

2026 Tax Budget: Supporting Affordability and Everyday Services

On February 24, 2026, the City of Hamilton adopted the 2026 tax budget. The budget is a balanced plan that protects essential services, responds to local priorities, expands investments in critical infrastructure and supports affordability for residents.

The 2026 tax budget takes a disciplined approach to managing costs. It includes a 3.87 per cent residential tax increase, or about $209 for the average home. It follows Mayor Andrea Horwath’s direction to “hold the line” on affordability while continuing to make necessary investments in the city.

This budget is focused on what residents rely on every day and making sure those services are there when they are needed. It maintains core services while making targeted investments in roads, transit, public safety and long-term economic growth.

2026 budget highlights:

Protecting affordability and essential city services

The 2026 budget keeps core services strong, including roads, transit, emergency services, parks and community facilities, while managing costs and investing responsibly to reduce long-term pressures and support local jobs.

 Some measures include:

• Reduced childcare fees to $22/day, generating average annual savings of $10,640 per child for Hamilton families – easing financial pressure and supporting workforce participation.
• Continued property tax subsidies and deferral programs for seniors and low-income residents to help manage affordability pressures, for those most impacted by rising costs. 
• Increased recreation assistance program funding (7 per cent increase) and operating grants for operators (2 per cent increase), helping families access community programs and stay active. 

Investing in infrastructure

The budget includes $622 million in infrastructure investment to maintain and renew the assets that keep Hamilton moving and growing. 

Some measures include:

• Maintaining 6,500 lane km of roads, 2,500 lane km of sidewalks, bridges and street lighting – keeping neighbourhoods safe and accessible ($106.1 million).
• Continued investment in growth-enabling roads projects ($17.4 million). Examples include Arvin Avenue (McNeilly Road to Lewis Road), Garner Road (Highway 6 to Glancaster Road) and Fletcher Road (Binbrook Road to Enbridge corridor).
• Transit investments supporting new and replacement buses, facility improvements and reliable service for work, school and daily life ($116.3 million).
• Investments in the upkeep and renewal of Hamilton Public Library facilities and two new electric Bookmobiles, maintaining safe spaces to support learning, connection and library programming across Hamilton ($3.2 million).

Strengthening community well-being and safety

The 2026 Budget enhances frontline services and supports vulnerable residents.

Some measures include:

• Ten additional paramedics to respond to growing emergency call volumes, improving response times and ensuring residents receive care when they need it most. 
• Continued investment in emergency facilities, including the Waterdown Fire / Police Station, Paramedic Central Reporting Station, equipment and vehicle upgrades – strengthening long-term public safety capacity ($63.8 million).
• Continued investment in long-term care through the Macassa Lodge Redevelopment, improving living spaces and care for residents ($21.1 million)
• Continued funding for affordable housing, housing stability and homelessness supports, expanding access to safe and secure housing ($209 million).

Supporting economic growth, arts and local jobs

The 2026 Budget continues targeted investments that strengthen Hamilton’s economy, local job creation, business growth and creative sector.

Some measures include:

• Grants and incentives to support commercial district revitalization, attracting office tenants, new housing development, heritage conservation, and remediating brownfields across Hamilton ($3.8 million).
• Economic Development initiatives to accelerate projects that create a diversified, sustainable economic base for the City of Hamilton ($3 million).
• Updates to the City’s Procurement policy, to expand opportunities for local and Canadian suppliers, supporting domestic businesses while strengthening supply chain resilience and local economic growth. 
• Investment in the upkeep of eight City museums and 39 heritage designated buildings ($4.1 million). 
• Launch of the 2026 Year of Music Initiative, celebrating Hamilton’s creative sector, supporting local artists and venues and strengthening the city’s reputation as a Music City ($250,000).

Community spaces, parks and recreation 

Continued investment in parks and recreation amenities will support healthy, active lifestyles and vibrant neighbourhoods across Hamilton. 

Some measures include:

• Recreation facility upgrades, such as the Waterdown Pool and Recreation Centre ($4.5 million), Victoria Park Outdoor Pool ($750,000) and Chedoke Twin Pad Renewal ($700,000).
• Planning and design for future recreation redevelopment and growth, including the Glanbrook Recreation Centre.
• Continued parkland acquisition, park development, and soil remediation - protecting green space and expanding access to community spaces for current and future generations ($33.9 million).
• Recreation subsidies and assistance program that help ensure equitable access to recreational services. 

Improving service delivery and efficiencies

Investments will strengthen service delivery while ensuring public funds are used effectively.

Some measures include:

• Technology and system upgrades across 21 projects, including improvements to online permitting, service request tracking, digital payments and cybersecurity protections – giving residents better access to services and greater transparency. 
• $42.6 million in operational savings and efficiencies in City Departments, helping manage cost pressures while protecting service levels.

The 2026 budget was built through a careful, disciplined process. Staff focused on managing rising costs, finding efficiencies, and making sure investments provide real value for residents. The result is a responsible plan that protects services today and supports Hamilton’s future.

Mayor Horwath releases 2026 Proposed Tax Budget

January 20, 2026

Mayor's Memorandum - 2026 Proposed Tax Budget

FCS26001 - 2026 Tax Budget Overview (City Wide)

Mayor Andrea Horwath has released the Mayor’s Report and 2026 Proposed Tax Budget for the City of Hamilton. The Proposed Budget is guided by a clear direction to maintain affordability while making responsible financial decisions that protect City services and infrastructure and invest in what matters most to the community - now and over the long term.

 The proposed budget has a 4.25 per cent residential tax increase and reflects a disciplined approach to managing costs while maintaining the services residents rely on every day.  

Feedback from residents throughout the year, including input received during budget engagement sessions, underscored the importance of prioritizing affordability while continuing to invest in critical infrastructure and supporting community safety and well-being. The proposed budget reflects a balanced approach, responding to affordability pressures today while protecting the City’s ability to deliver services and infrastructure sustainably into the future. 

Staff will provide a detailed presentation and overview of the proposed budget at the January 23, 2026 General Issues Committee (Budget) meeting.  

City Council will have 30 days to review the Mayor’s Proposed Tax Budget, propose amendments, deliberate, and vote on amendments. Final adoption of the tax budget is expected in February or March 2026.

The City budget shapes the services you rely on every day, such as roads, transit, housing and public health. It is how we invest in Hamilton’s future while keeping life affordable for everyone. Your input and understanding are key to making this process transparent and community-driven.

City releases Draft Staff-Proposed 2026 Tax Budget

December 12, 2025

2026 Staff Proposed Tax Supported Budget Book(PDF, 13.03 MB)

2026 Capital Detail Sheets(PDF, 21.37 MB)

Budget Basics

Hamilton prepares two budgets each year:

• Tax Budget: Covers services like transit, waste collection, housing, recreation and emergency services. This is funded largely by property tax, government grants and user fees. 
• Water (Rate) Budget: Covers water, wastewater and stormwater services.

Together these budgets fund essential programs and infrastructure that keep our city running.

What’s Happening Now

The City of Hamilton’s 2026 budget process is underway. Public input gathered during the fall engagement period is now helping shape the development of the tax budget, in alignment with the Mayor’s Directive issued on October 7.

Key Dates

• Budget Public Delegation: November 17, 2025
• Staff Tax Budget Release (Draft): December 12, 2025
• Tax Budget Public Delegation: January 19, 2026
• 2026 Proposed Tax Budget: January 20, 2026
• Budget overview presentation: January 23, 2026
• Departmental and Boards and Agencies presentations and Discussion of Proposed Tax Budget to General Issues Committee: January 27 to 30, 2026
• Budget General Deliberations and Amendment Consideration Meetings: Friday, February 6, 2026  | Friday, February 13, 2026 (if required)
• Special Council meeting - final consideration of budget amendments: Thursday, February 19, 2026
• Final Tax Budget Adoption: February or March 2026

Download the 2026 Budget Flowchart(PDF, 365.6 KB)

Understanding Budget Amendments

A budget amendment is a change proposed by Members of Council to the Mayor’s Budget. Amendments can adjust funding amounts or redistribute resources to better reflect community priorities while keeping the budget balanced and transparent. 

Understanding this process helps residents know how decisions are made and how community input shapes the outcome.

Council Amendments to the Proposed Budget - Guide(PDF, 189.61 KB)

Stay Informed and Get Involved

• Follow us on social media for reminders and resources.
• Share your feedback during public delegations or review the budget engagement tools at engage.hamilton.ca/2026budget.

Together, we can build a budget that reflects Hamilton’s priorities and supports a strong, inclusive community.