2026 Draft Budget

2026 Draft Budget Public Input Opportunity

Informed by Council’s initial budget deliberations, the City’s 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (2026 Draft Budget) has been updated and is now ready for public input.

Background

In early November, staff presented the 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (2026 Draft Budget) to Council. It proposed a 13.31 per cent tax increase in 2026; 8.29 per cent for the City portion of the budget and 5.02 per cent for Victoria Police's portion of the budget.

As requested by Council, staff also outlined options to achieve a tax increase of 4 per cent for the City's portion of the tax increase in 2026. Initial budget deliberations took place over a series of Council meetings in fall 2025.

Proposed Property Tax Increase

A 5.42 per cent tax increase is currently proposed for the City's portion, investing $384.1 million in operating costs and $84.5 million in capital improvements.

When combined with the 5.02 per cent requested increase from the Victoria Police, the total proposed tax increase for 2026 is 10.44 per cent.

What to Know

Have Your Say

Here's how to provide feedback on the updated 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (updated 2026 Draft Budget):

  • Submit written comments:
    • Email: legislativeservices@victoria.ca
    • Mail: Legislative Services, City of Victoria, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6
    • Drop off: to the Ambassador in the City Hall foyer, weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or the drop box outside the Pandora Avenue entrance, 24 hours
  • Submit a pre-recorded video:
    • Email: legislativeservices@victoria.ca for instructions on how to upload your pre-recorded video up to five minutes in length. You will be asked for your first and last name, the subject (Draft Budget) and your home address.

Submit by: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.

All public input collected will be analyzed and shared with Council. Budget deliberations will continue in February 2026.

Each year, the City of Victoria establishes funding priorities through its annual budget. Council sets service levels and allocates funding for all City services, programs, projects and initiatives. Council budget decisions are informed by strategic and master plans, Council priorities, financial forecasts, legislative requirements and community input.

2026 Draft Budget Public Input Opportunity

Informed by Council’s initial budget deliberations, the City’s 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (2026 Draft Budget) has been updated and is now ready for public input.

Background

In early November, staff presented the 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (2026 Draft Budget) to Council. It proposed a 13.31 per cent tax increase in 2026; 8.29 per cent for the City portion of the budget and 5.02 per cent for Victoria Police's portion of the budget.

As requested by Council, staff also outlined options to achieve a tax increase of 4 per cent for the City's portion of the tax increase in 2026. Initial budget deliberations took place over a series of Council meetings in fall 2025.

Proposed Property Tax Increase

A 5.42 per cent tax increase is currently proposed for the City's portion, investing $384.1 million in operating costs and $84.5 million in capital improvements.

When combined with the 5.02 per cent requested increase from the Victoria Police, the total proposed tax increase for 2026 is 10.44 per cent.

What to Know

Have Your Say

Here's how to provide feedback on the updated 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan (updated 2026 Draft Budget):

  • Submit written comments:
    • Email: legislativeservices@victoria.ca
    • Mail: Legislative Services, City of Victoria, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6
    • Drop off: to the Ambassador in the City Hall foyer, weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or the drop box outside the Pandora Avenue entrance, 24 hours
  • Submit a pre-recorded video:
    • Email: legislativeservices@victoria.ca for instructions on how to upload your pre-recorded video up to five minutes in length. You will be asked for your first and last name, the subject (Draft Budget) and your home address.

Submit by: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.

All public input collected will be analyzed and shared with Council. Budget deliberations will continue in February 2026.

Each year, the City of Victoria establishes funding priorities through its annual budget. Council sets service levels and allocates funding for all City services, programs, projects and initiatives. Council budget decisions are informed by strategic and master plans, Council priorities, financial forecasts, legislative requirements and community input.

Page last updated: 12 Dec 2025, 09:10 AM