Many municipalities across Canada contribute to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), including Burlington and Hamilton. Our estimates indicate that Burlington contributed $41,416 in 2024. What services does FCM provide? Each member municipality pays an annual fee composed of a base fee and a per-person fee, based on Statistics Canada's population estimates.[1] Across Canada, municipalities … Continue reading What is the Federation of Canadian Municipalities?
Are property tax increases also rent increases?
In Ontario, rent controls are applied to buildings occupied before November 15, 2018. Ontario has capped rental increases at 2.1% for 2026. The cap is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a common measure of inflation. If the inflation rate is above 2.5% rent increases are capped at 2.5%. If a landlord requires an … Continue reading Are property tax increases also rent increases?
Opinion – CUT THE FLUFF !!
$35,000 a year to provide homeowners with funds to host neighbourhood parties through something called the “Love Your Neighbourhood” initiative. A now-shuttered program for $170,000 in loans to provide homeowners with loans to install heat pumps. Thousands of dollars spent by civic officials to provide participants with food vouchers as part of the “Food for … Continue reading Opinion – CUT THE FLUFF !!
Opinion – Engagement and Transparency – Burlington’s 2026 Budget Process.
Burlington is a great place to live, but like many other communities, there are pressures and changes taking place. Balancing the needs of the community with taxpayers' ability to pay for those needs is the definition of politics. For those of us at Focus Burlington, the budget review process is not about cutting everything. We … Continue reading Opinion – Engagement and Transparency – Burlington’s 2026 Budget Process.
Opinion: Here we go again. The City of Burlington plans to increase spending by 5.8% in the 2026 Budget
Keep 5.8% in mind. This is how the city is positioning the increase “Burlington’s portion of the overall increase would be 2.98%”. Let's call this Burlington Speak math or BS math (for short). Spending is increasing 5.8% but the “overall increase” is 2.98%, exactly how does BS math work? Well, if you assume that the … Continue reading Opinion: Here we go again. The City of Burlington plans to increase spending by 5.8% in the 2026 Budget
Why are property taxes in Burlington so complicated?
Let’s start with the bill from the city. The tax bill has four components, each managed by a separate level of government or board. Code on the tax billMeaningResponsibilityM-MunicipalCity of BurlingtonMayor and councilR-RegionHalton RegionRegional Chair and councilP-PoliceHalton Police ServicesHalton Police BoardE-EdBoard of EducationProvince of Ontario Getting four bills would make everyone’s life more complicated and … Continue reading Why are property taxes in Burlington so complicated?
Is Burlington’s Tax Bill Legal?
This article was updated on May 12, 2025: Burlington has added a section titled "Schedule 2" to the back of the tax bill. Schedule 2 shows total taxes for last year, this year and the difference. The tax bill now complies with the requirements in the Ontario Municipal Act. Here is the original article from … Continue reading Is Burlington’s Tax Bill Legal?
Hamilton Councillors Revolt over 2025 Budget Process
The Bay Observer recently published two articles on the budget process in Hamilton: Five Hamilton Councillors in revolt over 2025 Budget Process Budget process in Hamilton put flaws in strong mayor legislation out for all to see The Bay Observer's Take on Strong Mayor Powers "When Doug Ford introduced the strong mayor powers he said … Continue reading Hamilton Councillors Revolt over 2025 Budget Process
Property Tax Delegation on the 2024 Budget Increase
Dan Chapman addresses Burlington City council on proposed 2024 property tax increase of 10.21%. Lisa Kearns issues a language caution about half way through. https://youtu.be/Nxt0Shm4glE
What will happen with a zero percent tax increase? “The sky will fall”.
Many Burlington residents are concerned with the high tax increases imposed by the current city council after the 2022 election. With the proposed 8.04% increase for 2025 taxes will have gone up 37.63% since the 2022 election. Several residents, including Lydia Thomas who delegated on this subject, say enough is enough. After a 15.59% increase … Continue reading What will happen with a zero percent tax increase? “The sky will fall”.