In the first city council meeting of September, Ottawa mayor and council deliberated on the proposed 2026 budget directions. These directions, although not representative of the 2026 budget itself, will provide the basis for upcoming budget priorities.
The majority of the over three hour meeting focused on three motions for amendments of the budget directions, one of which was proposed by Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley and the other two by Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown.
Bradley’s motion pertained to the proposal for as much as a 7.5 per cent fare increase for OC Transpo, calling instead for a cap at 2.9 per cent. Higher fares, Bradley argued, decreases ridership, which has been an ongoing challenge for the transportation provider since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“2.9 per cent is still a fairly significant increase, but it certainly is a more reasonable one,” said Bradley, highlighting the past year’s fare changes, including an 18 per cent increase for senior fares and the elimination of the student pass.
Others on council agreed with Bradley, citing affordability as a key concern for Ottawa residents. “Our passengers cannot absorb another increase that’s above the rate of inflation, it is not palatable at all,” said River Coun. Riley Brockington.
Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King added: “Transit fares by up to 7.5% are . . . unconscionable, because they would severely impact low income residents and families who are already suffering in our city.”
Even before the debate began, though, City of Ottawa Treasurer Cyril Rogers made it clear that flexibility is needed while the transit budget is still being put together.
Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower reminded colleagues that provincial and federal funding sources are uncertain, agreeing with Rogers that flexibility at this time will allow staff to provide several options for Council’s consideration. He added, “I, too, would like to see the fare increase as low as possible.”
Brown’s amendments, meanwhile, addressed municipal government bureaucracy. The motion that received particular attention during debate called for a cap of 17,105 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees of the City of Ottawa. Exemptions to this cap would apply to Ottawa Paramedic Services, Ottawa Fire Services, and Bylaw and Regulatory Services.
Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper called the motion “particularly alarming,” pointing to the city’s planning department that is already struggling due to being understaffed. “The timelines in the planning department are taking too long, and I believe that that is a function of a lack of resources. . . Delays mean shovels don’t go in the ground.”
College Coun. Laine Johnson expressed concerns over how such a cap might impact Ottawa’s public health unit. “Everything is on fire in the summer, and we have extreme heat, and air quality is decreasing, and seniors can’t breathe,” she said. “I want my public health unit to be robust and accelerate their actions.”
But Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski and Orléans South-Navan Coun. Catherine Kitts announced their support of the motion. Skalski pointed to council’s $207 million in savings achieved over this last council term, which, she said, “shows there’s room for finding ways to operate smarter.” Kitts added that there are more efficiencies to find by breaking down waste and silos. “Delivering a better product should be our focus,” she said.
In the end, Bradley’s motion for placing a cap on public transportation fares failed, with 13 on council voting “nay” and 11 voting “yea.”
Brown’s motion on capping FTE City employees passed, with 14 “yeas” and 10 “nays.”
Wednesday’s Council meeting represents the beginning of many budget-related debates to come, as the 2026 draft budget is expected for tabling on November 12, 2025.
