- 注册
- 2002-10-07
- 消息
- 402,673
- 荣誉分数
- 77
- 声望点数
- 228
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee approved a Downtown Revitalization Framework and Action Plan that recognizes a strong downtown economy is foundational to increasing investment, attracting and retaining talent, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting overall economic growth.
Since 2022, coordinated federal, municipal, and civic efforts have boosted downtown vitality, but post post pandemic work trends, office downsizing, housing pressures, and social issues remain challenging. The Framework aims to address these issues and support ongoing efforts through the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda. It clarifies the City’s role.
The framework focuses coordinated action around four key areas:
These pillars support growth while addressing systemic issues like economic uncertainty, overreliance on the federal government, elevated office vacancy rates and reduced daytime foot traffic, housing supply and affordability pressures, social issues and public realm concerns, land-use imbalance and gaps in the amenities and services needed to support a vibrant downtown area.
Staff will report back to Council in 2027 with detailed economic and land-use analysis, as well as the results of stakeholder engagement from across the downtown core. The report will recommend a coordinated long-term action plan with clear objectives, steps and performance measures for revitalizing Ottawa’s downtown.
The Committee received an Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Implementation Update for 2026. Ottawa’s economy is stable, and the fundamentals remain strong, but it is facing short-term pressures, with near-term growth expected to remain modest. Despite this, sector diversification, tourism and major capital investments indicate an encouraging future. Ottawa is also well positioned, with its highly skilled workforce, and with the key industries of technology, defence, tourism, construction and manufacturing driving resilience and diversification.
Update highlights include:
The focus in 2026 is on driving growth and strengthening Ottawa’s economy through:
The Committee approved the 2026 Tax Policy and Other Revenue Matters report that presents recommendations regarding property taxes that Council is required to address each year. These decisions determine how the previously approved tax levy is distributed amongst the various property tax classes for the 2026 taxation year.
Property taxes remain quite low in Ottawa. Using the BMA Municipal Benchmark Study, Ottawa is described as having the lowest property tax levy among Ontario’s ten largest municipalities. The notes cite a 2025 benchmark home total property tax of $5,490—almost $2,000 less than Toronto for a comparable home.
The approved recommendations would support renters, businesses, farms and Ottawa’s local economic development. Highlights include:
The City would contribute $1.4 million of additional growth identified from the application of the notional tax rate adjustment to the tax stabilization reserve.
The Committee received the Disposition of 2025 Tax and Rate Supported Operating Surplus/Deficit. The overall 2025 City budget ended the year with a net deficit of approximately $20.9 million. This is a significant improvement over the deficit of $51.1 million that was forecasted in Q2 2025. Citywide tax-supported services ended the year with a surplus of just under $32 million while rate-supported services had a surplus of $22.1 million. These surpluses were impacted by both Transit Services, which finished 2025 with a deficit of nearly $52 million, and the Ottawa Police Service, which ended the year with a $25 million deficit.
The Ottawa Police Service deficit will be funded by the Tax Stabilization Reserve while the Transit Services deficit will be covered with:
City Council will consider the recommendations from four of today’s agenda items on Wednesday, April 8, including the 2026 Tax Policy and Other Revenue Matters, Land Exchange Agreement - Bank Street Renewal Project - City of Ottawa and National Capital Commission, Conservation Authorities 2026 Levies and 2026 Budgets and Special Levies for Business Improvement Areas (BIA) and Sparks Street Mall Authority . Other matters considered today will rise to Council on Wednesday, April 22.
Related topics
查看原文...
Since 2022, coordinated federal, municipal, and civic efforts have boosted downtown vitality, but post post pandemic work trends, office downsizing, housing pressures, and social issues remain challenging. The Framework aims to address these issues and support ongoing efforts through the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda. It clarifies the City’s role.
The framework focuses coordinated action around four key areas:
- Rebalance uses, modernizing the mix of residential, commercial, institutional and tourism uses that support a vibrant downtown, both day and night.
- Diversify and strengthen Ottawa's downtown economy, enhancing small business supports, and attracting a broader range of industries to the downtown for a more resilient and diverse downtown economy.
- Improve community safety and well-being, creating a safer and more welcoming downtown with stronger policing, enhanced streetscapes and more coordinated outreach and social service responses.
- Transform places and spaces, enhancing the downtown experience by improving public spaces, gateways and key destinations, creating a more attractive and engaging environment.
These pillars support growth while addressing systemic issues like economic uncertainty, overreliance on the federal government, elevated office vacancy rates and reduced daytime foot traffic, housing supply and affordability pressures, social issues and public realm concerns, land-use imbalance and gaps in the amenities and services needed to support a vibrant downtown area.
Staff will report back to Council in 2027 with detailed economic and land-use analysis, as well as the results of stakeholder engagement from across the downtown core. The report will recommend a coordinated long-term action plan with clear objectives, steps and performance measures for revitalizing Ottawa’s downtown.
Committee updated on economic development progress
The Committee received an Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Implementation Update for 2026. Ottawa’s economy is stable, and the fundamentals remain strong, but it is facing short-term pressures, with near-term growth expected to remain modest. Despite this, sector diversification, tourism and major capital investments indicate an encouraging future. Ottawa is also well positioned, with its highly skilled workforce, and with the key industries of technology, defence, tourism, construction and manufacturing driving resilience and diversification.
Update highlights include:
- Ottawa’s globally recognized tech sector is home to more than 1,800 firms and 94,000 skilled workers. It continues to expand, with growth supported by innovation and defence-related research and development.
- A strong and growing defence cluster, anchored by more than 330 firms, leading research assets, major federal institutional headquarters and increased federal investment, is reinforcing Ottawa-Gatineau's position as Canada's Defence Innovation Hub.
- Record-breaking tourism and a robust lineup of major events are driving strong visitor growth and economic momentum. Highlights include IRONMAN and Rugby World Cup events in 2025, as well as Ottawa 200 celebrations and other major events in 2026.
- Major city-building and infrastructure projects, including the Ottawa Hospital development, LRT expansion and parliamentary rehabilitation, are leading to sustained growth in construction, supporting jobs and long-term economic expansion.
- Strategic investments in advanced and defence-related manufacturing are accelerating growth, strengthening Ottawa's position as a defence and technology manufacturing base.
The focus in 2026 is on driving growth and strengthening Ottawa’s economy through:
- Continued economic diversification
- Downtown revitalization
- Workforce development
- Small business growth and BIA expansion
- Rural economic development
- Investments in culture and the nighttime economy
- Refreshed economic development and nightlife economy strategies
Committee approves 2026 tax classes and ratios
The Committee approved the 2026 Tax Policy and Other Revenue Matters report that presents recommendations regarding property taxes that Council is required to address each year. These decisions determine how the previously approved tax levy is distributed amongst the various property tax classes for the 2026 taxation year.
Property taxes remain quite low in Ottawa. Using the BMA Municipal Benchmark Study, Ottawa is described as having the lowest property tax levy among Ontario’s ten largest municipalities. The notes cite a 2025 benchmark home total property tax of $5,490—almost $2,000 less than Toronto for a comparable home.
The approved recommendations would support renters, businesses, farms and Ottawa’s local economic development. Highlights include:
- Reducing the multi-residential tax ratio to 1.2 will permanently reduce taxes paid by the multi-residential class by $8.4 million, or almost 3.5 per cent for each property. This tax reduction will trigger a Provincially mandated Automatic Rent Reduction for about 57,000 tenants in multi-unit apartment buildings of approximately 0.7 per cent on January 1, 2027, lowering an average monthly rent of $2,000 by $13.90.
- A 15-per-cent reduction for the small business subclass of commercial and industrial properties will provide the small business community with $12.6 million in municipal tax savings.
- Farm properties remain taxed at 20 per cent of the residential rate, equating to tax relief of $12.3M across 3,600 certified farms, supporting rural affordability and farm viability.
- The City is continuing its tax deferral programs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, as well as the Charitable Rebate Program, the Farm Grant Program and various tax reductions for subclasses.
The City would contribute $1.4 million of additional growth identified from the application of the notional tax rate adjustment to the tax stabilization reserve.
Committee approves plan to fund end-of-year deficit
The Committee received the Disposition of 2025 Tax and Rate Supported Operating Surplus/Deficit. The overall 2025 City budget ended the year with a net deficit of approximately $20.9 million. This is a significant improvement over the deficit of $51.1 million that was forecasted in Q2 2025. Citywide tax-supported services ended the year with a surplus of just under $32 million while rate-supported services had a surplus of $22.1 million. These surpluses were impacted by both Transit Services, which finished 2025 with a deficit of nearly $52 million, and the Ottawa Police Service, which ended the year with a $25 million deficit.
The Ottawa Police Service deficit will be funded by the Tax Stabilization Reserve while the Transit Services deficit will be covered with:
- $44.9 million from the Tax Stabilization Reserve
- $7 million from the Transit Operating Reserve
City Council will consider the recommendations from four of today’s agenda items on Wednesday, April 8, including the 2026 Tax Policy and Other Revenue Matters, Land Exchange Agreement - Bank Street Renewal Project - City of Ottawa and National Capital Commission, Conservation Authorities 2026 Levies and 2026 Budgets and Special Levies for Business Improvement Areas (BIA) and Sparks Street Mall Authority . Other matters considered today will rise to Council on Wednesday, April 22.
Related topics
查看原文...
