2023 City of Ottawa Budget

City staff presented a draft budget for city for 2023 based on the direction from Council to prepare it based on a 2 to 2.5% increase from last year’s budget.

I have not yet determined if I can support this budget and will not be able to do so until it is finalized. I have heard from residents and I think there is still room for improvement.

The draft budget can be reviewed here: 2023 Budget Information | City of Ottawa

HOW YOU CAN CONVEY YOUR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET 

There are many ways for you to participate in the City’s Budget process.
I am holding a budget consultation for the ward on February 23 at 7:00pm.
You can join using this TEAMS link: Virtual presentation.
This link will be unlocked at the time of the meeting.
I have also organized several budget presentations at area schools, so the next generation of citizens can learn how the city’s budget works.
You can also find information on the budget process by checking out the city’s budget consultation website on Engage Ottawa.

Each Committee of Council will also be hosting meetings on the sections of the budget that falls under their mandate.  Details on which committee will be looking at what areas of the city’s operations can be found here.

For example, the Community Services Committee on which I serve (covering issues such as Homelessness, emergency shelters, opioid crisis, recreation, city funding programs ectara) will meet on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

All City Council, standing committee and advisory committee meetings are open to the public and your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Information on how to participate in Council and Committee proceedings can be found on the Council, Committee and Boards pages on Ottawa.ca 

If you would like to attend one of the Budget Meetings you can register at Engage Ottawa. If you have any questions on how to register, please contact Alan Neeff in my office at alan.neeff@ottawa.ca.

In the upcoming weeks I will be providing more information as I review the budget in detail. The final budget is scheduled to be approved by Council on March 1, 2023

The draft budget does include funding commitments for these projects in Ward 12.

Infrastructure
• $6.7 million to conduct integrated road-sewer-water projects, including:
o $1.7 million to design the project along Montfort, Alfred and Granville streets – part of a multi-year investment of $8.8 million
o $680,000 to revitalize Montreal Road – part of a multi-year investment of $64 million
o $4.4 million to rebuild and improve Greenfield Avenue, Main Street and Hawthorne Avenue – part of a multi-year investment of $42 million 

• $4.2 million to renew roads on Belisle Steet, Besserer Street, Daly Avenue, Eastwood Place, King Edward Avenue, McArthur Avenue, Nicholas Street and St. Patrick Street 

• $4.7 million for bridge renewal, including St. Patrick Street Bridge, as well as stairs in the park on Tabor Avenue
• $922,000 to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at Lafontaine and McArthur avenues, and to renew sidewalks on Belisle Street
• $400,000 to improve the reliability of the St. Joseph stormwater pump station
• $470,000 to rehabilitate the water system on York Street at ByWard Market Square

Parks, recreation and culture 
• _$5 million to replace the Genest outdoor pool and building at Optimist Park
• _$1.7 million to replace or rehabilitate parks, recreation and cultural facilities, including:
o $670,000 to rehabilitate Arts Court
o $460,000 to replace hydro equipment at Bernard-Grandmaître Arena
o $552,000 to improve Annie Pootoogook Park (walkways), Gamman House (roof work), Lowertown Complex (pool lining), Champagne Bath (roof work), Sandy Hill Arena (brick work) and Dutchie’s Hole Park (new bench)

Transit
• $15,000 to install a new bus shelter at Laurier Avenue and Cumberland Street

Housing
• Additional investment of $1.8 million required for a Shepherds of Good Hope project on Murray Street with 48 supportive housing units and a drop-in centre – part of a multi-year municipal investment of $6 million allocated to date
• Additional investment required in a Gignul non-profit Housing project for Indigenous households on St. Denis Street with 12 units – part of a municipal investment of more than $1 million allocated to date.

Emergency services 

• $700,000 to replace windows and roofing at Fire Station 13 in Sandy Hill