Have your say: Waterloo Region works on developing 2026 budget
Posted Nov 5, 2025 05:00:00 AM.
Last Updated Nov 5, 2025 05:15:59 AM.
Budget season is in full swing in municipalities across the province and Waterloo Region is no different.
A recent draft of the 2026 Budget shows a hike of around 5 per cent on the regional portion of the tax bill. That equates to an additional $96 per year for the average household.
The region is giving residents several opportunities to weigh in on the talks and express their spending priorities for the upcoming year.
With council having to make some tough decisions, Chair of the Region’s Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, Michael Harris, said in a press release, “It is critical we hear from residents, so Regional Council can create a budget that meets your needs.”
For the first time, the municipality will host community consultation sessions. These sessions will include a presentation of the draft budget, then small group conversations. The information will be summarized and presented to council as part of budget deliberations.
Those consultations will take place on Nov. 10 in Cambridge and on Nov. 12 in Woolwich. People are not required to, but they can pre-register to attend.
Then council will open its chambers to delegations at meetings on Nov. 18 and Dec. 3. Delegations must pre-register.
Anyone who can’t make the in-person sessions is welcome to have their say at EngageWR.ca
