BRAMPTON, ON (March 27, 2019) – Today Council unanimously approved Brampton’s 2019 Budget with a zero per cent average tax change, the lowest in nearly 20 years.

Highlights of Brampton’s 2019-2021 Budget include: a 16 per cent increase in bus fleet to reduce overcrowding, revitalizing several recreation centres including Chris Gibson and Chinguacousy Wellness Centre, and a Community Improvement Program to incentivize key economic sectors.

The approved budget will result in an overall average property tax increase of 1.1 per cent in 2019. This includes average tax changes by the City (zero per cent), Region of Peel (1.1 per cent increase) and school boards (zero per cent). 

The zero per cent average tax change was made possible not by reducing services, but by key factors that were unique to 2018. Organizational efficiencies and extraordinary growth in revenues enabled the City to pass on the benefits to taxpayers. These factors, combined with the Federal government’s commitment to doubling Gas Tax Funding to municipalities, helped reallocate money towards key strategic investments in the 2019-2021 Budget.  

2019-2021 Budget Highlights

1. Improving quality of life

o Adding 46 conventional buses and 25 Züm buses over three years 
o A new $15 monthly Transit pass for seniors
o Constructing a new fire station in northwest Brampton; updating fire apparatus and equipment for a more reliable response force
o Revitalizing Chris Gibson, Howden, and Balmoral Recreation Centres; upgrading Chinguacousy Wellness Centre; converting Riverstone Golf Club into a 34,000 square foot Community Centre
o Initiating a Public Safety Project towards community safety program initiatives 
  
2. Growing our economy

o Creating a new Marketing and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Program and a Community Improvement Program to incentivize the economic sectors identified in Brampton’s Economic Development Master Plan
o Working towards establishing a Centre for Innovation and Connected Learning
o Implementing an Environmental Assessment and Urban Design Master Plan for the Riverwalk project

3. Being a well-run city

o The Hospital Levy that was on previous tax bills is now complete and amounts collected will be made available for Phase 2 of Peel Memorial Centre
o Continuing a two per cent infrastructure levy to maintain roads, bridges, community centres and other assets in state of good repair.
o Introducing a one per cent Transit Levy to provide a dedicated, stable source of funding for future Transit growth needs 
o Relevant levies have been built into the Budget to deliver a zero per cent average increase on the City’s portion of the tax bill

Links

Term of Council Priorities and Brampton 2040 Vision

City of Brampton’s Budget webpage

Quotes

“This Council is proud to present its first Budget with no increase in taxes on the City portion without compromising on delivering high-quality programs and services. We are making major investments in Transit and creating opportunities for economic growth. As Brampton builds out further in line with the 2040 Vision, continued investments will be required in future years to meet the growing needs of our fast-growing population.” 

- Mayor Patrick Brown, Chair of Budget Committee

“Community feedback was crucial in shaping the 2019-2021 Budget and we are grateful to our residents and businesses for taking an active interest in helping move Brampton forward. We will also continue to work with higher levels of government to advance the Term of Council Priorities in the priority areas of transit connections, post-secondary education, a resilient infrastructure, all of which are important in attracting businesses to invest in Brampton.”

- Regional Councillor Paul Vicente, Vice-Chair of Budget Committee

“I want to thank staff for addressing growth challenges in innovative ways and finding organizational and fiscal efficiencies to deliver this historic Budget. A healthy financial position and sound planning helped pass on some relief to taxpayers. Brampton is building momentum as a major urban player in Canada and beyond, growth pressures will continue and we will make the right investments to keep us growing and improving.”

- Joe Pittari, Acting Chief Administrative Officer

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MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Sharma
Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2880 | christine.sharma@brampton.ca