The Ontario Premier granted a number of municipalities Strong Mayor's powers in 2023. In the opinion of many, this has made an untenable situation.
I object to and voted against this 3rd City of Oshawa 'Mayor's Budget for 2026'. In my opinion it presents a double whammy, Oshawa continuing to saddle its residential taxpayers with unaffordable and unsustainable high taxes, at the same time ignoring priority projects for public safety, especially in Ward 1. I put forward an amendment to lower by $1.1 Million the projected $12.3 Million for the City's escalating Temporary Wages in 2026. See charts below - the 1st shows the annual increases from 2019 to 2026 and the 2nd shows the Temporary Wages breakdown by department for 2026. I also proposed reallocating funds for a capital project in the Budget that has no significant priority need, and submitted instead that it be used to fund the construction of sidewalks which are much needed for children and new homeowners to have a safe path of travel to get to school.
Unfortunately, right from the meeting start, my 1st motion, seconded by Councillor Neal, that Council go into Committee of the Whole, which is the process that permits more thorough discussion among Council members, with more time to ask questions and review adjustments to proposed amendments, it, along with the other motions I submitted did not pass.
Prior to the budget meeting I submitted 25 questions to City staff. See the Q&A below. Note: re the numbering: I kept the same numbering staff used since 4 other Councillors also had questions contained in staff's reply, but I don't have authority to copy them with mine.
I object to and voted against this 3rd City of Oshawa 'Mayor's Budget for 2026'. In my opinion it presents a double whammy, Oshawa continuing to saddle its residential taxpayers with unaffordable and unsustainable high taxes, at the same time ignoring priority projects for public safety, especially in Ward 1. I put forward an amendment to lower by $1.1 Million the projected $12.3 Million for the City's escalating Temporary Wages in 2026. See charts below - the 1st shows the annual increases from 2019 to 2026 and the 2nd shows the Temporary Wages breakdown by department for 2026. I also proposed reallocating funds for a capital project in the Budget that has no significant priority need, and submitted instead that it be used to fund the construction of sidewalks which are much needed for children and new homeowners to have a safe path of travel to get to school.
Unfortunately, right from the meeting start, my 1st motion, seconded by Councillor Neal, that Council go into Committee of the Whole, which is the process that permits more thorough discussion among Council members, with more time to ask questions and review adjustments to proposed amendments, it, along with the other motions I submitted did not pass.
Prior to the budget meeting I submitted 25 questions to City staff. See the Q&A below. Note: re the numbering: I kept the same numbering staff used since 4 other Councillors also had questions contained in staff's reply, but I don't have authority to copy them with mine.
