Welland's 2026 draft budget to prioritize maintaining services, asset renewal, and taxpayer affordability

Mayor Frank Campion, as required under Ontario’s strong mayor powers, has directed City staff to prepare the proposed 2026 Draft Mayor’s Budget. The process will be efficient, transparent, and open to meaningful input from Council and the community.

The directive calls for maintaining current services without adding new programs or staff. In the current economic climate, the City faces significant inflationary pressures, which increase the cost of delivering services and maintaining infrastructure. The focus will be on repairing and renewing existing infrastructure, while maximizing opportunities such as leveraging a strong investment income strategy to help ease these pressures and keep the burden on taxpayers as low as possible.

“I know residents feel the intense pressures of today’s financial world, and that awareness is at the forefront of what I am directing staff to implement in the budget,” said Mayor Campion. “This budget direction ensures we focus on what is necessary: maintaining services, focusing on repairing and renewing infrastructure already in place, and doing it all as efficiently as possible while fulfilling our responsibilities to the community.”

The proposed 2026 Draft Mayor’s Budget will be released on November 4 and, under the legislated 30-day timeframe, will be adopted on December 4. To ensure an efficient and productive process, Council has received budget-related information and presentations throughout the preceding months.

Since early July, Council has been briefed on emerging budget pressures and potential opportunities and has provided early feedback through a Council survey. Prior to tabling, Council will also have reviewed key items such as debt strategy, hospital funding, user fees and charges, and the results of public engagement.

Once the draft budget is tabled, Council will have further opportunities to engage through drop-in sessions, board presentations, and business case reviews. A structured amendment process will allow Councillors to propose changes for debate and decision, informed by resident input. A comprehensive list of proposed amendments will be shared publicly in advance of deliberations, giving Councillors time to review and consult with constituents before formal debate.

More information and timelines can be found at www.engagewelland.ca/budget-2026.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Orlando
Communications Specialist
905-735-1700 x2133
paul.orlando@welland.ca