People often ask me: “If Town taxes are frozen for two years, what services will need to be cut to do it?”
That’s a legitimate question.
I understand why some residents are skeptical. People have heard tax-freeze promises before, and no one should accept a promise that leads to hidden cuts, worse roads, or a bigger tax bill later. I’m not asking you to take my word for it. Judge me by the numbers, the trade-offs, and whether I show you how the plan is paid for.
This is my top priority because a councillor’s first job is to listen to residents and represent their needs. In the households we’ve spoken with and logged so far, more than 80% have said high property taxes are a major concern. Whitby’s Town taxes have risen almost 20% across the last four annual budgets. Almost twice the rate of inflation. That pace puts real pressure on families, seniors, renters, homeowners, and local businesses. Residents need a pause so their finances can catch up.
I don’t support cutting fire services, snow clearing, road repairs, waste collection, libraries, parks, or the other services families count on. I also won’t drain money set aside for roads, buildings, and other Town assets just to make a short-term promise.
I’ll work with the Mayor and Council to aim for a 0% increase in the Town’s part of property taxes for the next two budgets. That’s the part Town Council controls. The Region of Durham and school boards set the other parts of the property tax bill.
What I can do as your councillor
I’m not the Mayor or the Town’s City Manager. I don’t write the budget by myself.
In Whitby, the Mayor brings forward the proposed budget. Council members can bring forward changes and vote on them. If elected, I’ll use my voice and my vote to push for this tax-freeze goal, bring forward practical budget changes, and work with other Council members to get it done.
For the 2026 budget, Town staff released a draft in October and the Mayor released the proposed budget in November. Residents then had time to give feedback before Council made changes and adopted the final budget. The dates may change from year to year, but residents should always have a real chance to speak before the final vote.
A plain-English budget update for Ward 4
When the Mayor’s proposed budget is released, I’ll post a plain-English Ward 4 budget update on this website. I’ll explain:
- what the proposed Town tax increase means for residents;
- the biggest costs and any planned service changes;
- where the Town is using one-time money or reserve funds;
- the questions I’ll ask and the changes I’ll support; and
- how you can share your views before Council votes.
I’ll update that page after Council makes changes, so you’ll know where I stand before the final vote.
The facts about the 2026 budget
The already approved 2026 Town budget included a $4.7 million tax increase. That’s a 3.44% increase in Town taxes.
Town staff had already found $2.3 million in cuts and about $2 million in other revenue. Even so, costs were still going up. The budget includes:
- $6.5 million for higher prices and contract costs;
- $1.8 million more to repair and replace Town assets;
- the full-year cost of firefighters already hired for West Whitby; and
- more costs for the Fieldgate Sports Complex.
So, no – this won’t happen by magic. It’ll take careful work, clear choices, and a better way of building the budget.
What I’ll push for
Start with a 0% target
I’ll work with the Mayor and Council to start the next budget with a simple goal: no Town tax increase. If someone wants to add a new cost, Council should first show how it’ll be paid for every year.
Show residents the numbers
Before a budget vote, residents should be able to see where the money’s going. I’ll ask Council to publish a clear report that shows which departments were under or over budget, why it happened, and whether any savings can happen again.
The Town hasn’t yet posted its 2025 Financial Statements. When they’re available, I’ll update this proposal with the real year-end results and show which savings can be repeated.
We shouldn’t count a one-time saving as if it’ll happen every year. For example, a job left empty for a few months or a delayed project isn’t a long-term fix.
Make growth pay for growth
New homes bring in new tax money. They also create new costs for roads, parks, fire service, and more. I’ll push for Council to show both sides in plain language. Existing residents shouldn’t quietly pay the bill for growth.
Look for better ways to deliver services
The biggest part of the Town budget is pay and benefits. Town workers aren’t the problem. But Council needs to manage the budget well.
That means checking vacant jobs before they’re filled, asking for a clear reason for every new job, improving schedules, cutting waste and extra paperwork, and reviewing contracts, buying, buildings, vehicles, and overtime.
Many Town workers are covered by union agreements. Council can’t simply order a salary freeze. I’ll support fair, negotiated pay restraint in future agreements, careful pay rules for non-union jobs, and a workforce plan that respects both workers and taxpayers.
Use fair sources of other revenue
I’ll support a review of what commercial users, development services, leases, sponsorships, and other direct users pay. The answer shouldn’t be to make children’s programs, seniors’ activities, or basic recreation too expensive.
Put every change in public
Before Council votes, residents should see:
- how much a change saves or costs each year;
- whether it is a one-time change or a yearly change; and
- what, if anything, it changes for residents.
I’ll also support an independent review of major Town costs. Residents deserve facts, not guesses.
What won’t be done
The plan isn’t to rely on the Town’s reserve funds as a default shortcut to a tax freeze. But if a reasonable gap remains after real savings are found, Council can consider a limited, temporary draw from a tax-stabilization or contingency reserve with a public plan to replace that money from future savings after the two-year tax freeze, not a later catch-up tax hike. It’d be a bridge, not the plan.
I won’t hide service cuts in the budget. If a change affects a service, residents should know before Council votes.
A promise that has to be earned
I believe Whitby can work toward a two-year Town tax freeze without cutting essential services or delaying needed repairs. But it has to be done with real, repeatable savings and open books. Not by pushing costs into the future.
That’s the approach I’ll bring to Council: respect for your tax dollars, honest choices, and clear proof behind every budget decision.
Sources: Town of Whitby 2026 Adopted Budget; Town of Whitby 2025–2027 Adopted Budget; Town of Whitby Budget and Financial Reporting; Town of Whitby Mayoral Decisions Under the Municipal Act; Building Whitby’s Budget on Connect Whitby. This proposal concerns the Town-controlled portion of the property-tax bill only.