Media Releases

Overall tax increase for Burlington in 2025 will be 5.82 per cent

Burlington, Ont.— Dec.11, 2024 - Today, Halton Regional Council completed deliberations on their portion of the budget, increasing the police budget from 13.8 per cent to 14.3 percent by a vote of 15-9. This results in a regional increase of 6.18 per cent, up from the originally forecast 6 per cent. Halton Regional Council approved the budget.

As a result of the budget approval by Halton Regional Council today, the overall tax increase for Burlington in 2025 will now be 5.82 per cent, up from the projected 5.76 per cent presented at the Nov. 25 Special Council meeting. This is inclusive of city, region, and education portions.

Burlington property tax bills are made up of three parts:

• 51 per cent goes to the City of Burlington to fund local services like transit, roads, parks, and public safety.

• 33 per cent goes to Halton Region for regional services like Halton Regional Police Service, waste management, water, and public health.

• 16 per cent goes to the Boards of Education to support local schools.

Burlington’s Top 5...

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Burlington Focuses Flood Prevention Efforts Amid Growing Climate Risks

As the City of Burlington prepares for more investments in its flood prevention and support efforts, the City is reminding residents of flood program deadlines, and new grant options aimed at helping residents recover from flooding in July 2024. The deadline to initiate an application for the City of Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant and the Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program is Dec. 20, 2024, at 5 p.m.

In addition, the Province announced on Nov. 29 that some homeowners in Burlington may be eligible for financial support through the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. The City is encouraging residents to take advantage of these available resources if they have not done so already. Burlington and Halton Region home flood prevention programs will continue.

With climate change driving increasingly severe weather, Burlington is stepping up efforts to address the growing risks of flooding. In the 2025 budget, the City is dedicating substantial...

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Enabling More Housing in the City of Burlington

Burlington, Ont.—Nov. 29, 2024— The City of Burlington is moving quickly to address housing challenges. The Council-approved Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan and implementation budget will expand housing opportunities for residents by cutting red tape, updating zoning, offering important public engagement opportunities, and providing incentives for achieving priority housing targets.

As Burlington continues to grow, these initiatives include working with community partners, landowners and developers to enable the development of complete, low-carbon, and climate-resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse. The City’s Housing Strategy identifies actions to expand the range and mix of housing in the city. Staff are also exploring tools that will streamline the processes for delivering more housing options for residents.

Four Units as-of-right

At the City’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, staff will present the Draft Official Plan...

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Province Activates Disaster Recovery Assistance to Support Residents in Burlington

Burlington, Ont.—Nov. 29, 2024— The City of Burlington is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. This will provide much needed support for residents in designated areas of Burlington alongside creeks after flooding in July. The City welcomes this important financial support. 

The DRAO program is administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and provides financial assistance to individuals, small owner-operated businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations after a natural disaster.  

Earlier today, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that designated areas in Burlington that were affected by flooding alongside creeks are eligible to apply for funding through the DRAO program. Within the activation areas, damage caused by sewer backup flooding is only eligible if a household is low-income as defined in the DRAO guidelines.  

Following the July 15 and 16 flood,...

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Burlington Celebrates Provincial Funding for New Mental Health Unit at Joseph Brant Hospital

Burlington, Ont.—Nov. 26, 2024— The City of Burlington is pleased to share the Ontario government's announcement this week of funding for a new mental health unit at Joseph Brant Hospital. This investment reflects Burlington City Council's ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health and addiction services for residents and addressing critical gaps in care.

The Province’s funding follows sustained advocacy by Burlington City Council. In October 2021, Council directed Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to write to the Premier of Ontario, local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament (MPs), and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to champion Joseph Brant Hospital’s Mental Health and Addictions Redevelopment Project. In September 2024, City Council supported a motion calling on provincial and federal governments to commit to immediate action to solve the Humanitarian Crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those...

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