Regional Council approves 2025 Business Plans and Budget including water and sewer rates

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Regional Council has approved the 2025 Business Plans and Budget including the water supply and sanitary sewer use rates.

The approved budget requires a net property tax increase of 7.4 per cent (4.4 per cent for Durham Regional Police Service, 3 per cent for Regionally supported services). For residents this means approximately 5.8 per cent increase in the overall property tax bill and a monthly increase of approximately $20 for an average residential property in Durham Region.  

As part of the budget, the 2025 water supply and sanitary sewer user rates will increase by 5 per cent, or approximately $5 per month for an average household. This increase supports ongoing maintenance and operation of the water supply and sanitary sewerage systems, in addition to several major projects planned for 2025, including multi-year expansion and upgrades to the Whitby Water Supply Plant. Information about Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer system is available at durham.ca/WaterandSewer.

The Region is investing in critical frontline core service areas, balancing the need for taxpayer affordability and competitive property taxes, and accounting for future growth through investments our community depend on such as:

• Housing and homelessness support programs to advance the goals of At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan to end homelessness in Durham and ensure affordable rent and greater housing choices for everyone, including:
  • Critical investments for homelessness support and shelter programs with a focus on increasing funding available through the Region’s rent supplement program to assist those in need of affordable housing.
  • Advancing the redevelopment of Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation sites at Malaga Road and Christine Crescent, 300 Ritson Road South and Phase 2 of the 1635 Dundas Street East development, with funding support from the provincial and federal governments.
  • Delivering the At Home Incentive Program to support community partners in the development of additional affordable housing. 

• Durham Region Transit (DRT) through increasing transit service levels, continuing to transition the DRT fleet to zero emission technologies, and investing in new transit facilities and infrastructure, innovations, and passenger amenities, including:
  • An annual increase of 69,625 service hours (58,073 scheduled service hours, 11,168 On Demand hours).
  • 18 new electric buses and supporting electrification infrastructure to continue to transition to a zero emission electric fleet.
  • Infrastructure projects to improve customer service, enhance convenience, and meet ridership demand.
    
    
• The Region of Durham Paramedic Services to support the growing community and improve current paramedic response times including:
  • 36 additional hours of paramedic services daily including 14 new paramedics (7 advanced care paramedics and 7 primary care paramedics).
  • Capital investments to advance new paramedic response stations in Whitby, Oshawa, and north Durham and improve the Region’s existing stations.

• The Durham Regional Police Service to safeguard and protect our communities including:
  • A 16.9 per cent increase to the budget to provide for:
  • 70 additional Frontline Officers to respond to growth and an increase in frontline work.
  • An additional 45 uniform and 53 civilian positions supporting investigative and operational support units.
  • Capital investments in fleet and equipment.

Other major priority investments include implementation of the Region’s Corporate Climate Action Plan; investing in Regional infrastructure such as road and bridge rehabilitation projects; advancing the approved GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville; ongoing investment in Durham OneNet Inc.; improving customer service through continued support of Service Durham.

Significant financial challenges, similar to those faced by other Ontario municipalities, and an ever-evolving economic landscape reinforce the need to review the funding model between the provincial, federal and municipal governments to ensure the highest quality programs and services continue within our community.

Through the 2025 Business Plans and Budget, the Region is investing to improve the lives of people and businesses in Durham through everyday services—ensuring a healthy and safe community for all.

Residents are reminded that the Municipal Property Tax Assessment Corporation (MPAC) sets the assessed value for each individual property. Questions about property valuation should be directed to MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or mpac.ca.

For more information about the Budget, visit durham.ca/Budget.

Quotes:

“The approved 2025 Business Plans and Budget sets the standard of our commitment to supporting key priorities and delivering high-quality programs and services to the community. It reflects Regional Council’s focus on enhancing and maintaining front-line service delivery while meeting the many pressures and challenges we currently face.”

John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“The Region's 2025 approved budget is the result of many Regional departments and agencies working together with the shared goal of providing excellent service to our communities. Thank you for your commitment to supporting our residents, organizations and businesses.” 

Kevin Ashe, Mayor, City of Pickering and Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee 

"This year's budget prioritizes fiscally responsible investment in Regional programs and services that our community values, while addressing the impact of growth on front-line services. This measured approach ensures that the Region's residents and businesses are well-positioned for success both now and in the future."

Nancy Taylor, Commissioner of Finance

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For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.