Clarington’s 2026 Budget Update focuses on affordability, community priorities, and long-term value

Clarington, Ontario – The Municipality of Clarington has released its proposed 2026 Budget Update. It’s designed to deliver on the 2024-27 Strategic Plan that reflects record public engagement and focuses on what residents said they care about most. If adopted, the average household would see a modest net increase of $1.08 weekly on Clarington’s third of the property tax bill (translating to a 0.99 per cent taxpayer increase). This is about $56.40 annually.

In the 2026 draft budget, the property tax levy makes up 52.8 per cent of the Municipality’s $163.5 million budget. The levy increase has been reduced to 3.00 per cent, down from the previously approved 4.07 per cent.

“We’re investing in what makes life truly special for those who call Clarington home. We know every dollar matters right now, so we’ve made smart choices to keep costs in check for folks,” said Mayor Adrian Foster. “This is a budget that strikes balance. We’re maintaining our record of some of the lowest property taxes in Durham and building a future people can believe in. These percentage points matter, and they will make a real difference for residents.”

From street-level upgrades to cloud-based systems, the 2026 Budget supports how local families live, play, and move—now and into the future. Notable 2026 highlights include:

• Bringing the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan to life: Investments in baseball, basketball, pickleball, squash, and tennis facilities, along with splashpads, playgrounds, parks, and trails. Plus, building a brand-new accessible community park and splashpad in south Bowmanville, offering barrier-free fun for kids of all ages in a welcoming, inclusive space.
• Exploring a new twin ice pad at South Courtice Arena: A feasibility study will inform expansion opportunities, supporting future recreation needs and the long-term vision of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.
• Making investments in priority infrastructure: Upgrades to roads, buildings, stormwater systems, facilities, parks, and more to meet service levels in the Asset Management Plan and support broader community growth. This includes building the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre with an Aquatics Centre, a new operations depot, fire station and training facility, and road reconstruction to support the Bowmanville Hospital expansion—investments that strengthen emergency preparedness, improve service delivery, and reflect long-term community priorities.
• Modernizing technology to better serve residents: New customer service and financial systems will make it easier to access services and track requests, while improving efficiency, reducing financial risk, and safeguarding data.

Discover the full list of projects at www.clarington.net/Budget.

“I’m proud of how this budget invests in essentials that matter most to residents, like our roads, parks, public spaces, and technology needs. Property taxes help power everything that makes our community a great place to call home, including busy rec centres, green parks, welcoming libraries, dedicated firefighters, local road repairs, planning, and of course, all the exciting new stuff we’re building for you,” said Mayor Adrian Foster. “Your money works hard here, keeping our community safe, cared for, and maintaining the legendary lifestyle we love in Clarington, especially as we grow.”

As costs continue to rise, alternative funding sources and resource optimization help ease pressure on taxpayers while maintaining important services and programs. Key contributions to help affordability include:

• Clarington has secured more than $10.5 million in grants so far this year, enabling transformative investments across the community.
• Stronger-than-expected investment income also generated a $2.3 million surplus in 2024, which is helping offset planned tax increases.
• Clarington’s Continuous Improvement Program has achieved over $2 million in operational efficiencies—delivering better value for residents.

Clarington is one of the first municipalities in Ontario to take a forward-looking approach to budgeting, outlining operational plans across four years in its 2024-27 Multi-Year Operating Budget. Each year, the operating budget is updated it to reflect changing needs, as required under the Municipal Act, 2001. This provides flexibility to be able to respond to new opportunities, unexpected challenges, or special events that need extra funding.

The proposed 2026 Budget Update will be presented at the Regular Council Meeting on November 17, 2025. The Deputy CAO/Treasurer will provide Council an overview of the budget and how it aligns with community priorities. A Special Council Meeting is scheduled for November 24, which will proceed only if Council chooses to bring forward changes. Under Ontario’s strong mayor powers and Clarington’s procedural by-law, Council has 30 days from November 12 to propose amendments and/or waive the review period. If no changes are made during that time, the budget is deemed adopted. Residents can access meeting details through Clarington’s Council and Committee Meeting Calendar. Read the 2026 Draft Budget Book at www.clarington.net/Budget.

Media inquiries:

Municipality of Clarington
Sarah Raso, Communications Officer, Office of the CAO
sraso@clarington.net

Jennifer O’Meara
Policy and Communications Advisor, Office of the Mayor
jomeara@clarington.net

Clarington’s 2026 Draft Budget Update: Bringing real value to your neighbourhood with programs and services that make life better.