Budget day in Waterloo Region comes with a 9.48% tax increase

It took an extra session but Waterloo Regional Council was able to pass the 2025 Plan and Budget before the holiday break.

The 2025 Operating and Capital budget for regional services, which includes the Waterloo Regional Police Services budget, is $2.4 billion — a 9.48 per cent increase.

That works out to the average property owner paying an additional $241 next year or $20 a month.

It was a contentious debate process as council had to balance maintaining service levels while keeping the tax increase reasonable, given the affordability crisis. Many of the councillors said that although they would be supporting the budget, they weren’t entirely happy with the final numbers.

Kitchener Mayor, Berry Vrbanovic was one of those to vote against the spending plan.

“In a few short days we’re going to see Santa Claus coming to this region and we’re going to see people celebrating the holidays. The last thing that I think anybody wants in their gift package is a lump of coal. And, that’s what I think this budget is going to be.”

Vrbanovic didn’t mince words when it came to how he thought this budget would impact the region.

“There are some good things in the budget, without question. But the reality is, this budget is going to make more people homeless. This budget is going to make life more difficult in this region and I can’t support it in its current form.”

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Highlights of the 2025 budget

• More paramedics to meet increasing 911 call demands  
• Building more affordable homes 
• Improving road safety through traffic calming, municipal speed cameras, and safety designs at roundabouts 
• Advancing the Plan to End Chronic Homeless, including 
• enhancing extreme weather supports for those experiencing homelessness 
• expanding rent supplements for people to find homes they can afford and stay in them for as long as they need 
• Ensuring continued safe drinking water 
• Helping people find and succeed in jobs that help them live better lives 
• More buses and frequency to serve overcrowded routes  
• Expanding accessible transit through MobilityPLUS  
• Making transit free for children under six 
• Increasing library operating hours  
• Construction of new water wells to support new housing 

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Those comments did not sit well with Councillor Rob Deutschmann.

“I’ll not accept someone saying we’re going to make more people homeless,” he said. “We’re helping a lot of people. This region works hard to deal with the homeless population. We’re doing everything we can.”

Deutschmann pointed out an eight per cent target that was established by council and the fact that staff came back with 9.42 per cent is pretty good, overall. He said council has done a good job with this budget.

Vrbanovic had tabled a motion to defer voting on the final budget in an attempt to find further savings and get the increase closer to five per cent, which failed.

Councillor Pam Wolf said it was crucial the budget passes before the holiday break.

“Most importantly to me, is the fact that our social services would be impacted greatly. We know money for the Food Bank etc. they need Jan 1. They don’t need us to wait six weeks to look for further cuts. And frankly, I don’t see where we could make further cuts.”

Earlier in the day, council was able to find some savings. Another motion filed by Vrbanovic to cap certain departmental expenditures at five per cent did pass. It helped reduce the operating budget by $6.9 million and brought the net tax levy down by $2.4 million.