Committee approves draft budget for community and social services, recreation, culture and parks

The Community Services Committee today approved its portions of Draft Budget 2026, which presents a balanced $1.6‑billion total operating budget and $235 million in capital investments. This budget focuses on building a more affordable Ottawa, prioritizing support for residents who need it most, while investing in services and spaces that bring communities together and keep residents healthy. 

The budget includes significant investments to put people first and respond to urgent community needs: 

• $4 million increase for social and community housing 

• $400,000 toward ending youth homelessness by 2030 

• $700,000 to expand ANCHOR, a safer alternate response to mental health and substance use crises 

• $476,000 increase for food security initiatives, for a total investment of $5.5 million in food security 

• $2.18 million for essential health and social supports for vulnerable residents, particularly low‑income seniors 

• Resources to grow approximately 600 new child care spaces in 2026 through the Canada‑wide Early Learning and Child Care system 

The budget also invests in creating safe, welcoming spaces for recreation and culture, giving residents places to gather and stay active: 

• $41.7 million for new parks and park improvements, including $23 million for three new district parks  

• $1.3 million in major and minor capital partnership funding for cost-shared improvements to parks and recreation facilities 

• $290,000 increase in renewable funding for local recreation and cultural organizations 

To maintain quality of life in Ottawa’s parks and outdoor spaces, the budget includes: 

• $2.3 million increase to maintain more than 4,500 hectares of parkland, including $565,000 for maintenance to support new splash pads, growth of new parks, and an increase in boulevard grass cutting 

• $350,000 for minor park repairs 

• $100,000 for sport field and baseball diamond maintenance 

The draft budget also includes several continuous improvement initiatives designed to deliver efficiencies, modernize services and reduce administrative burden. The homelessness Point‑in‑Time Survey has moved from paper to digital, extending the count period, improving access, and saving costs while strengthening collaboration with community partners. A new Secure File Digital Tool implemented by Employment and Social Services streamlines routine disclosures and document sharing, reducing administrative time and improving security for confidential files. In Parks Maintenance, collaboration with Asset Management on interim minor capital repairs and a ball diamond maintenance trial are helping optimize resources and support cost‑effective operations. 

Council will consider Draft Budget 2026 on Wednesday, December 10.