Hamilton’s 2027 budget forecast suggests 8.2% residential tax hike

The City of Hamilton released its 2027 Budget Forecast Thursday, providing an early look at the city’s financial needs and priorities, including a residential tax increase.

The current forecast reflects an 8.2 per cent average residential tax impact, based on a $127.9 million increase in the net levy for tax supported services, and 5.48 per cent combined rate increase for water, wastewater and stormwater services.

The city says significant pressures on the budget include: maintaining current service levels, addressing housing and homelessness, inflation and rising operating costs, replacing and repairing aging infrastructure, and community well-being and public safety priorities.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says despite the latest 2027 budget forecast suggesting an 8.2 per cent residential tax increase, it will not be anywhere near that high.

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The mayor posted on X Wednesday afternoon responding to the latest budget and financing plan forecast.

It said that current pressures like the U.S. tariffs are creating uncertainty for local workers, businesses and families.

#HamOnt – Statement on the Release of the 2027 Budget Forecast

Let me be very clear: today we received a forecast, not a budget. The budget will be finalized early next year and I can guarantee it will be nowhere near as high as the forecast.

Trump’s tariffs are creating… pic.twitter.com/nYSl3Rba9l

— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) September 2, 2026

She said people are already being stretched financially and that has to be a major consideration through every single budget decision.

The mayor’s water budget will be released later this November.

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