Vaughan Council adopts 0% property tax increase

Delivering a zero per cent property tax increase at the local level while making life more affordable, prioritizing community safety and fighting traffic gridlock. This is the focus of the City of Vaughan’s 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan, which was adopted by Vaughan Council on Feb. 24 at a Special Council (Budget) meeting.

Vaughan is the only municipality with a proposed or approved zero per cent tax rate increase in York Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This means, the City’s portion of your property tax bill will have no increase this year.

Your property tax bill is divided into three parts: City of Vaughan, York Region, and local school boards (Province of Ontario for education purposes). The regional and education property tax rates are set by York Region and the Province of Ontario, respectively. The City of Vaughan is legally required to collect taxes on behalf of York Region and local school boards. To learn about York Region’s budget, visit yorkregion.ca/budget. To learn about the Province of Ontario’s budget, visit ontario.ca/budget.

Here is everything you need to know about the City’s 2026 Budget:

Property tax-supported operating budget

The property tax-supported gross operating budget for 2026 is $434.4 million. 

Capital budget

The 2026 capital budget is approximately $290.5 million, and the capital plan for 2027 to 2030 is about $1.1 billion. 

The 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan includes: 

• $659.9 million towards City-building capital projects that build a world-class city based on good planning and urban design principles, which foster community well-being.
• $503.9 million towards Transportation and Mobility capital projects that will improve the reliability and safety of Vaughan’s road network and infrastructure.
• $91.6 million towards Environmental Sustainability capital projects that protect the environment and foster a sustainable future through social and economic initiatives.
• $53.6 million towards Service Excellence and Accountability capital projects that provide exceptional resident-focused services through continuous improvement, innovation, transparent and accountable decision-making, responsible financial management, and effective administration and communication.
• $44.1 million towards Community Safety and Well-being capital projects that foster a high quality of life in Vaughan through safe and healthy communities.
• $25 million towards Active, Engaged and Inclusive Communities capital projects that ensure Vaughan is a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and equity-based community for all.
• $300,000 towards Economic Prosperity and Job Creation that ignite economic prosperity and advance Vaughan as an entrepreneurial City. 

Water, wastewater and stormwater budget

The water and wastewater rate and the stormwater charge-supported operating program budget for 2026 is $217.8 million in gross expenditures. That means:

• the combined 2026 rate increase for water and wastewater is $0.1777 per cubic metre, or 3.3 per cent, over the 2025 combined water and wastewater rate. The impact on a ratepayer that consumes 240 cubic metres per year will be $42.65 annually or $3.55 per month. 
• the 2026 stormwater charge will increase by an average of 9.5 per cent of the 2025 charge. The impact for a residential (low-density) property will be $3.05 per unit per year. 

Learn more by reading the City’s 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan (PDF) or by visiting vaughan.ca/budget. 

QUOTE

“As Mayor, my job is to ensure that Vaughan remains a safe, secure and affordable community. That’s why it gives me great pleasure that the 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan with no property tax increase and no service cuts that I proposed has been adopted by Council. We are giving you some relief from financial pressures, fighting traffic gridlock and making real investments to enhance community safety. This budget demonstrates that you have a Mayor and Council focused on the right priorities, while also giving you a break. Thank you to everyone who shared ideas and feedback throughout this budget process. You can count on me to keep fighting for you and delivering results.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

QUICK FACTS 

• The City of Vaughan’s 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan was adopted during the Special Council (Budget) meeting on Feb. 24.

• The 2026 Budget includes a zero per cent property tax increase. With this, Vaughan is the only municipality with a proposed or approved zero per cent tax rate increase in York Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

• Your property tax bill may come in a City of Vaughan envelope, but it is divided into three parts: York Region, City of Vaughan and local school boards (Province of Ontario for education purposes). The regional and education portions are set by York Region and the Province of Ontario, respectively. To learn about York Region’s budget, visit yorkregion.ca/budget. To learn about the Province of Ontario’s budget, visit ontario.ca/budget.
• The 2026 Budget aligns with the Government of Ontario’s Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022.
• Meetings to discuss the 2026 Budget were held in the Council Chamber at Vaughan City Hall on Feb. 4 and Feb. 24 with options for members of the public to have a say.

LEARN MORE 

• City of Vaughan’s budget webpage.

• City of Vaughan’s 2026 Budget and 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan (PDF).