Budget FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Besides property taxes, what other sources of funding does the City have?

Most of the City’s funding comes from property taxes. Other sources of funding include:

User fees
Development charges (capital budget only)
Grants and subsidies from other levels of government (restrictions apply)
Investment income
Contributions from reserves

Is there any public input into the preparation of City budgets?

The City hears from the community through multiple channels and everything is taken into consideration when we plan for the future of Brampton. The City employs a continuous, holistic approach to community engagement that doesn’t begin and end with one survey or open house meeting. It is every day, all year round, and guided by Term of Council Priorities and aligned with the Brampton 2040 Vision.

Through numerous community engagement efforts undertaken in the past, we heard from residents and businesses and received tens of thousands of responses on issues that matter to the community.

In addition, the City’s annual budget initiatives continue to involve the citizens of Brampton through various education, communication and engagement efforts, including newspaper ads, social media, the City’s budget website, etc.

Residents also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the City’s proposed budget throughout the budget process including town hall and budget deliberations meetings.

What is the difference between the operating budget and capital budget?

The operating (or current) budget covers ongoing operating expenses of the City and the capital budget covers long-term investment in infrastructure.

Operating budget

The operating budget, previously referred to as the "current" budget, includes all anticipated current expenditures and revenues related to the ongoing operations of the City. Expenditures include salaries, goods, services, transfers to reserves. Revenues include property tax and user fees. The shortfall between expenditures and non- tax revenues results in the portion that must be raised by property taxes.

Capital budget

The capital budget includes money spent on building, buying or improving capital infrastructure such as roads, buildings, vehicles and major equipment.

How do Brampton’s property taxes compare with other municipalities nearby?

The following chart compares the 2023 tax levy per capita (residents only) for other major southern Ontario municipalities:

Municipality	Net Levy Per Capita
Whitby	$1,995
Oakville	$1,899
Guelph	$1,882
Burlington	$1,850
Cambridge	$1,792
Mississauga	$1,776
Caledon	$1,771
Vaughan	$1,753
Hamilton	$1,744
Oshawa	$1,724
Average	$1,680
Toronto	$1,678
Windsor	$1,628
Halton Hills	$1,627
London	$1,589
Markham	$1,518
Kitchener	$1,456
*Brampton*	*$1,396*
Milton	$1,169

What is the business planning and budget process at the City of Brampton?

Each year the City identifies priorities, goals and initiatives that ensure good use of resources and link back to our Strategic Plan. Public input is key to the entire process and residents are encouraged to get involved. Here’s the how the process works:

[CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW TO REFLECT STRONG MAYOR POWERS]

Council Members (through Budget and other Committees and at Council meetings and workshops) provide direction and feedback on strategic priorities to guide the budget process
Budget Committee reviews business plans and budget requirements as submitted by the different departments, and makes recommendations to Council
Review includes revisions and reprioritization of needs, taking into consideration strategic priorities, associated costs and public input
Council reviews recommendations and approves budget

What is the hospital levy going to pay for?

The City of Brampton supports William Osler Health System's plans to bring better health care infrastructure to Brampton through the redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital and the development of a Cancer Care Centre at Brampton Civic Hospital.

The redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital will include:

250 beds and capacity for a further 100 beds
24 hour urgent care centre

$1.1 billion project:

$700 million for redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital
$365 million for a Cancer Care Centre at Brampton Civic Hospital

$250 million local share of the project:

$125 million: William Osler Health System
$125 million: City of Brampton ($62.5 million from reserve funds; One per cent hospital levy)

Brampton City Council approved a one per cent hospital levy and $62.5M from reserves to fund the local share towards William Osler's expansion of health care services in Brampton.

“This is a historic time for health care in Brampton. City Council's commitment to support 50 per cent of the current estimated local share for hospital redevelopment will help to ensure Osler has the resources to build the infrastructure this community needs and deserves. Osler commends City Council for taking this bold and necessary step, and for tirelessly championing greater hospital capacity to serve our fast-growing community. Council's commitment is an investment in the health of our community for years to come."

Geoffrey Ritchie, Chair, William Osler Health System Board of Directors

Where do my property tax dollars go?

The City of Brampton collects taxes for the Province of Ontario (for school boards), Region of Peel, and the City of Brampton.

In 2024, for every dollar collected, the breakdown of taxes would be as follows:

22.2 cents - School Boards
36.7 cents - Region of Peel
41.1 cents - City of Brampton

The breakdown of the City's 41.1 cents is as follows:

9.7 cents - Capital infrastructure funding
8.0 cents - Transit
8.0 cents - Fire & Emergency Services
5.6 cents - Public Works
3.8 cents - Recreation & Culture
3.1 cents - Parks & Pathways
1.9 cents - Library
0.9 cents - Enforcement
0.1 cents - Infrastructure Planning

For more details on where your City of Brampton tax dollars go, see Budget Toolkit