Bringing Durham's priorities to the table

Earlier this month, the Regional Chair, CAO and Durham Region staff met with Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, to discuss our priorities for the federal government's 2027 budget. Federal pre-budget consultations give municipalities an opportunity to share local priorities and help inform future federal funding decisions.

This year, we focused on three key priorities:

More housing options for residents

Housing affordability continues to be a challenge for many residents.

Federal housing programs have helped communities move important housing projects forward, including housing that supports people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Durham Region currently has two supportive housing projects ready to move ahead, but continued funding is needed to make them a reality.

Our ask: Renew existing housing programs, or replace them with new long-term funding, so communities can continue creating affordable housing and helping more residents find a safe and stable place to call home.

Infrastructure that supports growth

New housing requires more than constructing a building. It means creating the infrastructure that supports communities.

As Durham continues to grow, investments are needed in roads, transit, water and wastewater systems to ensure communities can keep pace with new housing and population growth.

Projects like the planned expansion of the Whitby Water Supply Plant and a new Durham Region Transit operations and maintenance facility will help support future growth and maintain reliable services for residents.

Our ask: Continue investing in the infrastructure that makes housing possible, helping municipalities build complete communities that are connected, accessible and ready for the future.

Long-term support for mental health and addictions services

The need for mental health and addictions services continues to grow. Every year, thousands of Durham residents seek care for mental health and substance-use challenges, placing pressure on hospitals, emergency responders and community organizations.

Access to treatment, recovery programs, supportive housing and community-based services can make a significant difference in people's lives, especially when support is available before a crisis occurs.

Our ask: Make a long-term commitment to funding community-based mental health and addictions services so residents can access the care and support they need closer to home.

Looking ahead

The challenges facing Durham Region are not unique, but the solutions require strong partnerships between all levels of government. By investing in housing, growth-related infrastructure, and mental health and addictions supports, the federal government can help communities meet today's needs while preparing for the future.

We appreciated the opportunity to share Durham Region's priorities with the federal government and thank MP Turnbull for taking the time to hear directly from the Region.

We look forward to continuing to work with federal partners to build a more affordable, connected and resilient community for residents.