2026 City Budget Resources

About the Budget

Through the budget process, Toronto City Council makes important decisions about critical programs, services, and infrastructure — what it’s going to fund (adequately or not), if it’s going to cut programs or services, if it’s going to freeze budgets (given rising program costs, a budget freeze is, in effect, a service cut), and how it’s going to pay for these vital programs. These decisions are arguably the most important that Council makes all year — they tell us whether Council is going to move the city forward and address critical issues in our communities, or not. Budget decisions reveal the priorities of City Council and shape the quality of life of residents and communities across the city throughout the year.

The tax-supported budget includes operating budgets (to pay for the operation of programs and services) and capital budgets (to pay for infrastructure, such as purchasing buses or streetcars, or building a new library or community centre). The tax-supported budget includes all City service areas except for the Toronto Parking Authority (Green P parking), Toronto Water, and solid waste management (garbage and recycling), which are included in the rate-supported budget. Tax-supported budgets cover everything else—housing and homeless services, child care, public transit, recreation, libraries, Toronto police, emergency services, community services provided by nonprofits, and much more).

The tax-supported budget is funded through property taxes, federal and provincial funding, TTC fares, user fees and fines, the Municipal Land Transfer Tax, and other sources. In contrast, rate-supported services are paid for through user fees, including revenues from water and garbage fees and parking fees at Green P lots.

Downloadable Budget Explainer

We've created a downloadable pdf in partnership with Albion Neighbourhood Services that outlines what the City Budget does—and doesn't—fund. Click on the images to enlarge.

Full PDF

Text version

Key Budget Dates

You can watch all of these meetings live, or check out video recordings after the meetings, on Council’s YouTube channel. All meetings start at 9:30 a.m.

Budget Dates

  • October 1 to 31: Budget Consultations. Toronto residents are encouraged to engage in Budget Consultations by using this online survey (October 31 is the final day) and/or register for one of the online or in-person meetings taking place between October 14 and October 29.
  • January 8: Budget Committee Launch.
  • January 14 to 16: Budget Committee Review.
  • January 20 and 21: Budget Committee Public Presentation. Budget Committee meetings will offer a chance for Public Hearings/Deputations (opportunities for people to share their ideas, perspectives, have their say with members of the Budget Committee). If you would like to speak to the Budget Committee on January 20 or 21, further details (including times, locations, and registration information) will be released in January 2026. 
  • January 23: Budget Committee Wrap Up. The Budget Committee will have its final wrap-up meeting and make a recommendation to the Mayor, rather than to the Executive Committee or City Council.
  • February 1: Mayor's Proposed Budget Release. By this date the Mayor is required to propose a budget to members of Council and the City Clerk. No meeting is required for this to happen.
  • February 10: City Council (Special). Council’s final vote on the Budget.

Have Your Say

Virtual and In-person Consultations

Toronto residents are invited to participate in a budget consultation meeting with the Budget Committee Chair, other Members of Council and senior City staff. 

In-person Consultations

St. Lawrence Market North
92 Front St. E. 
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7 to 9 p.m. 
Register

Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Rd.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 12 to 2 p.m. 
Register

North York Memorial Hall
5110 Yonge St.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 to 9 p.m. 
Register

Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borought Dr.
Thursday Oct. 23, 7 to 9 p.m. 
Register

Virtual Consultations

Monday, Oct. 27, 12 to 2 p.m.
Register

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7 to 9 p.m.
Register

Online Survey

Share your budget priorities with the City via a short online survey. The survey is hosted by the City of Toronto, is available in 12 languages, and is open until Oct. 31. 

Consultations with Community Organizations

The City of Toronto is partnering with community organizations to host consultations ahead of the 2026 City Budget. Sessions will take place throughout October, with specific dates to be determined. Space for these sessions is limited (more public consultations hosted by the City will be announced). Register to stay informed: https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/consultations.

For more information, contact [email protected]. 

Telephone Town Halls and Public Hearings/Deputations

Speak to Budget Committee on January 20 or 21 in person or by video conference. More information to be announced in January 2026.

Budget Committee Review Schedule

Schedule and details will be released in early 2026.

City of Toronto Budget Resources

Check out the City of Toronto budget webpage, updated regularly through the budget process. All City budget notes, briefing notes, presentations, and related budget documents are posted here: www.toronto.ca/budget

Social Planning Toronto Budget Resources

Upcoming budget events: 

Check back later for upcoming budget events hosted by Social Planning Toronto.

Recordings of past events, including A Deeper Dive Into Revenue Tools, A City Budget Primer, our Housing Deputation Workshop, and our 2025 Budget Town Hall, can be viewed here: https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/past_budget_events  

City Budget Watch Blog:

https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/tags/city_budget

Organizing a budget forum:

This guide was assembled in March 2020 by Social Planning Toronto's Rebecca Tom and Saroja Ponnambalam following a budget forum hosted in Lawrence Heights. The collected strategies can be used to host a budget forum in your own community. Access the guide here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay informed: 

Stay up to date via the City Budget Watch newsletter.