Mayor Mat Siscoe ends veto period early; approves amended St. Catharines 2026 Budget

Mayor Mat Siscoe waived the mayoral veto period for the 2026 multi-year budget on Thursday, finalizing the City of St. Catharines’ budget by accepting City Council amendments tabled Nov. 19. This marks the conclusion of the budget process under the Strong Mayor legislation introduced by the Province of Ontario in 2023.

“With the passage of this year’s budget, Council and Staff have once again worked hard to deliver a budget that respects taxpayers and recognizes that affordability needs to be at the forefront of our decision-making,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “With a 1.74 per cent increase that still addresses the concerns in our community around the enforcement of our Public Space Use bylaw as well as the need for better snow-clearing in the winter, we’re showing the ability to be responsive to resident concerns.”

With the Council amendments, for the average homeowner the approved 2026 budget reflects a property tax increase of $31.17 (or 1.74 per cent) on the City’s portion of the tax bill.

Updates for 2026

Adjustments made as part of the readoption process since the initial approval of the multi-year budget earlier this year include:

• $1 million from Special Tax Mitigation Reserve to be used to reduce the tax impact.
• $500,000 for the Winter Control Pilot Program, funded from the Winter Control Reserve.
• $261,000 one-time funding from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to be used to transition to a new funding model.
• St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP): $257,000 increase in SCCIP funding from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to $657,000 annual funding.
• $250,000 in funding to support the completion of the Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan, funded through the Civic Project Fund.
• St. Catharines’ 150^th anniversary: $200,000 increase to $350,000 in total funding for celebrations associated with St. Catharines’ 150^th anniversary, funded through the Civic Project Fund.
• Sunset Beach Traffic Management: $150,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to address neighbourhood traffic management issues upon the reopening of Sunset Beach in 2026.
• St. Catharines Public Library: $120,000 increase in City funding.
• Park Enhancements: Mountainview Park: $28,900 to upgrade the existing granular pathway, including resurfacing and seasonal preparation. Fairview Park: $5,700 increase to resod and restore the existing labyrinth in Fairview Park, including watering and seasonal maintenance.

2026 Budget Highlights

With the readoption of the budget, investments made in 2026 will fund key initiatives to support community wellbeing and infrastructure renewal, including:

• $2.1 million for road and underground improvements on Facer Street.
• $1.2 million for a sanitary sewer upgrade on Queenston Street.
• $1.7 million in road and underground improvements on Gale Crescent.
• $6 million in watermain replacement projects slated for the Castlewood / Riverview; St. Paul Cresent; and Bailey / Galbraith / Hillview / Kinsey / Power Glen areas.
• $1.75 million for HVAC upgrades and elevator modernization at St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.
• $225,000 to support accessibility and lighting upgrades at the Port Dalhousie branch of the St. Catharines Public Library.
• $2.8 million to replace a rescue truck and pumper / tanker truck for St. Catharines Fire Services.
• $2.3 million invested into City parks, including new multi-use courts and playgrounds at Johnson and Wembly Drive Parks, new playgrounds at Lester B. Pearson and Realty Park and new multi-use courts at Fairhaven Park.
• $1.72 million in upgrades to infrastructure at recreational facilities, including a new washroom at Berkley Park, soccer field lighting upgrades at Lancaster Park, a new scoreboard at Merritton Arena and concession and washroom renovations at Alex Mackenzie Park.