The City of Brampton’s 2025 municipal budget is Mayor Brown’s second Strong Mayor budget, which places nearly all of the budget process in the Mayor’s Office. With significant investments, including 52,000 additional transit service hours and a new $300 million transit facility, this budget is not just an operational plan; it’s a bold statement from Mayor Brown about our city’s priorities. The Brampton Board of Trade is encouraged by these developments and eager to see their impact on residents and businesses.
What’s in the Budget?
The adopted budget includes a 2.9% property tax increase, with 1% dedicated to a hospital levy for funding a second full-service hospital. If the proposed 5.5% Peel Region tax increase is approved, Brampton property owners will face a combined 8.4% hike in their 2025 tax bills.
Significant allocations in the budget focus on infrastructure, transit, recreation, and health care. Key investments include $300 million for a third Brampton Transit facility, $148 million for the Embleton Community Centre, $23.8 million for downtown revitalization, and $15 million for the Riverwalk flood mitigation project. Recreation funding includes $23 million for winter-optimizing facilities, $14 million for a field hockey pitch, $5 million for parks and playground enhancements, and funding for two new outdoor skating rinks and expanded recreational programs.
In transit, the city is dedicating funding to a 52,000-service-hour increase for expanded and new routes. The City is also committing $5 million for TMU’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and $5 million for TMU’s Brampton Venture Zone.
A Collaborative Path for Public Transit
The 52,000 additional service hours for transit operations signal a commitment to improved mobility, but the devil, as always, is in the details. How will these hours be allocated? Businesses across Brampton have long struggled with last-mile transit challenges that hinder employees from getting to work efficiently. A collaborative effort between Brampton Transit and key stakeholders could ensure these service hours target areas where they’re needed most. BBOT is ready to facilitate discussions to align these transit improvements with the city’s economic needs.
Investing in Economic Growth
This budget dedicates $5 million each to the Brampton Venture Zone and Cybersecure Catalyst. These investments in economic development are welcome, but clarity on how they will directly foster job creation and economic growth is essential. Greater collaboration between these initiatives and BBOT could amplify their impact. Let’s work together to ensure these funds not only generate returns but also address the needs of Brampton’s business community.
Balancing Development and Affordability
We applaud the City’s use of development charge (DC) reserves to finance infrastructure while keeping tax increases manageable. However, over-reliance on reserves or future DC increases could pose long-term challenges. As Brampton tackles housing affordability, keeping residential DCs low is critical to encouraging residential development. Other cities, like Burlington and Vaughan, have found innovative ways to lower DCs. Brampton’s planned Development Charge Study in 2026 is a golden opportunity to explore similar reforms.
Making Taxation Transparent
The 2.9% overall tax bill increase demonstrates fiscal prudence, but transparency could be improved. Breaking down property taxes by the City of Brampton, Region of Peel, and school boards would provide residents with a clearer picture of where their money goes and improves civic literacy. Other municipalities with regional governments follow this practice. Additionally, while Brampton’s tax levy per capita is among the lowest in Ontario, this per capita metric may not fully capture our city’s rapid growth. Alternative comparisons, such as those in the BMA municipal study, reveal Brampton’s relatively high property taxes for detached homes.
Enhancing Community Engagement
The City’s efforts to engage the community during the budget process deserve recognition, but timing remains a concern. Council voted to forego the usual 30-day council amendment and subsequent 30-day mayor’s veto periods, finalizing the budget with no further changes beyond those made during four special deliberation meetings.
With limited time between the budget’s release and public engagement sessions, participants often lack the opportunity to thoroughly analyze the proposals. Providing at least a week for review would allow stakeholders to offer more meaningful feedback. This change would strengthen public trust and foster a more inclusive decision-making process.
Charting a Sustainable Future
As Brampton prepares for the downloading of regional roads in 2026 and other looming challenges, maintaining robust reserves and strategic investments will be essential. BBOT applauds the City’s forward-looking approach but encourages vigilance in balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s uncertainties.
By fostering collaboration, prioritizing transparency, and planning for sustainable growth, Brampton’s 2025 budget can become a blueprint for thriving urban communities. The Brampton Board of Trade is committed to working alongside the City to make these aspirations a reality. Together, we can ensure that Brampton remains a dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous city.
