Mayor Roy's statement on Whitby’s 2026 Budget and a reduction to the proposed tax increase

During this year’s budget consultations, I heard clearly that residents are concerned about tax increases and the cost of living.

Today, I released my proposed 2026 Budget, which builds on the draft budget released by Town staff on October 27.

My amendments bring the proposed tax increase from 3.99 per cent down to 3.49 per cent.

This includes:

•           Removing $500,000 of incremental contribution to the Growth Reserve Fund 
• Reducing the Council Education Budget by half for a savings of $21,000
• Increasing lease revenue by $160,000
• Removing 12 summer student positions in 2026 for a savings of $180,829

Any further reduction to the proposed tax increase would come at a real cost — cuts to programs and services.

I have worked closely with Town staff to explore every possible option to reduce the impact on taxpayers, including what it would take to achieve a zero-per-cent increase. Moving in that direction would require additional discussion and direction from Council.

The proposed budget continues to prioritize investments needed to support Whitby’s growth, maintain our infrastructure, and deliver the high-quality services residents expect — while minimizing the financial impact on taxpayers as much as possible.

It also advances the implementation of the 62 action items in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, which was shaped by feedback from thousands of residents. We remain on track to deliver on all these commitments by the end of this Council term.

Like communities across Ontario, Whitby faces significant financial pressures driven by high inflation, rapid population growth, aging infrastructure, and the ongoing impacts of provincial downloading.

With these challenges in mind, I worked with Town staff to complete a thorough review of the budget, explore opportunities for reductions, and to identify alternate revenue sources.

Work is also underway on a Core Services Review that I initiated to help us find additional savings and efficiencies. 

There is no new staffing included in the proposed 2026 Budget and Town staff have identified $2.5 million in expenditure reductions, some of which will result in service level impacts.

New revenue sources include a four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax on hotels and motels introduced in 2024, which resulted in $600,000 in revenue in the first 12 months. The Town also secured a record $56 million in grants in 2024.

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback on the 2026 Budget so far.

Visit connectwhitby.ca/Budget for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Residents can share feedback through the virtual budget forum until Nov. 14 at ConnectWhitby.ca/Budget
• Upcoming Budget meetings:
• Council Education Session: Monday, November 17 at 5:30 p.m.
• Budget Public Meeting: Tuesday, November 18 at 7 p.m.
• Special Council Meeting for Council amendments to the proposed budget: Thursday, November 27 at 7 p.m.

For media inquiries please contact:

Corporate Communications

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913; Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca

Office of the Mayor

Jillian Follert, Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.387.9101; Email: follertj@whitby.ca