Hamilton adopts 2026 budget with 3.87% residential tax hike

Hamilton’s city budget was officially adopted Tuesday after Mayor Andrea Horwath announced she will not use her strong mayor powers to veto council amendments.

The budget, reviewed at a special council meeting on Feb. 19, includes a 3.87 per cent residential tax increase — down from the 4.25 per cent cap Horwath initially proposed.

“Budgets are statements of priorities,” she said during a press conference at city hall.

“This budget says ‘we will protect core services, we will invest in community safety and infrastructure, we will plan responsibly for the future, and we respect the affordability crunch that Hamiltonians are facing’.”

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