Durham Region councillors have clarified that the recent vote regarding the 2026 property tax increase was not a rejection of lower taxes, but a decision about how to achieve them.
Rick Kerr, Regional and City Councillor for Oshawa Ward 4, explained that the first vote (15-13) was on whether to use reserves to reduce the initially proposed tax increase of 6.04%—already a reduction from 6.6% recommended by staff. It was not a vote against lowering taxes.
The subsequent vote of 20-2 (with six councillors absent) approved the concept of lowering taxes once the use of reserves was accepted. This vote occurred at the Committee of the Whole, meaning final approval will only occur at a council meeting. Kerr noted that the motion could be amended during the council meeting before final adoption.
An amendment at council set the tax increase at 4.8%, rather than the previously discussed 3%, allowing more time for councillors to explore potential savings or service-level adjustments instead of relying on reserves. The final council discussion is scheduled for January 28, 2026.
Proposed 2026 Property Tax Increases by Municipality:
- Durham Region (including DRPS): 4.8%
- City of Pickering (own portion): 3.49%
- Town of Ajax (own portion): 1.28%
- Town of Whitby: 3.49%
- City of Oshawa (own portion): 3.98%
- Municipality of Clarington (own portion): 0.99%
- Township of Scugog (own portion): 4.12%
- Township of Brock (own portion): 3.79%
- Township of Uxbridge (own portion): 1.26%
The final approval of these rates may be confirmed at the upcoming council meeting or may automatically take effect.
Photo Credits : Durham Post
