TORONTO – Jan 8, the 2026 city staff budget was announced. Mayor Olivia Chow says the budget will deliver more affordability for Torontonians while making the city safer.
Safety: Hiring more first responders and support staff to enhance community safety
The 2026 budget continues our progress on making Toronto safer as crime drops. It maintains funding the Police multi-year hiring plan, which includes 720 officers and new Neighbourhood Community Officers in communities; it expands the Paramedic multi-year hiring plan, which includes over 360 more paramedics and staff to provide faster emergency response.
More police, mental health crisis workers, special constables and more staff will be on TTC platforms. And the city will continue supporting youth through more employment, training, mentorship and recreation programs.
911 emergency response times have been reduced by 75% since the Mayor took office in October 2023. In 2025, homicides are down 50%, and car thefts have fallen 25%.
Affordability: Putting money back in your pocket
“Families are feeling the squeeze from the high cost of living. That’s why I’m focused on making life more affordable for Toronto families.” said Mayor Chow.
The budget will save families $900 on groceries by providing free healthy meals to kids in every school in Toronto. It adds 60,000 more kids in 155 more schools.
It will not raise TTC fares while increasing service for the third year in a row saving a working couple $300 annually. Plus fare capping at 47 rides to start this year, down to 40 rides then it’s free next year. Ride more, pay less.
Additionally, all 100 TPL libraries across the city will open 7 days per week, including branches such as Agincourt, Bridlewood, Lillian H. Smith, Malvern, North York Central Library and Woodside Square, which offer extensive Chinese-language collections.
For home owners, the budget doubles subsidies for preventing basement flooding, free plumbing assessments and rain barrels. It will also offer low cost loans and grants to help replace furnaces with heat pumps as well as free in-home energy consultations.
In addition to improving the City’s financial footing over two years, Mayor Chow has found new savings and efficiencies in preparation for the 2026 budget. She has unlocked an additional $30 million by bringing the Toronto Parking Authority in-house and eliminating administration duplication, as well as a non-essential hiring freeze.
“The 2026 budget continues our work to deliver a more affordable, safe and caring city,” said Mayor Chow.
What’s next
The staff budget will be considered by the Budget Committee until January 24. During this period, the public can provide feedback through public committee meetings and telephone town halls.
The Mayor’s final budget will be presented in late January and considered at the February 10 budget meeting of the City Council.
