Committee approves budget for 2017 and Canada Summer Games bid

_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa ** – The City’s Finance and Economic Development Committee today approved its 2017 draft budget and Ottawa’s bid for the 2021Canada Summer Games.

The draft Budget for 2017 features major savings through reorganization and internal efficiencies, and commits new spending to the arts, public transit, economic development and community services. The budget limits the property tax increase to two per cent and maintains Ottawa’s strong record of prudent borrowing for city-building projects.

Budget 2017 includes total operating spending of $2.9 billion for all City public services, an increase of $68 million from 2016. Capital spending for the year, including tax-supported and water-rate-supported projects, totals $880 million. The 2017 budget includes $18.4 million in efficiency savings, achieved through the recent City reorganization. Development growth will provide $19 million in additional assessment revenue.

For more information on the City’s 2017 Draft Budget, visit ottawa.ca /budget2017 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

The Committee also approved a report recommending that the City confirm its bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games, including a financial commitment of $10.5 million, through in-kind City services and capital improvements to recreation and athletic facilities, and by showing strong community support for the event. These games, held in the last week of July and first two weeks of August, are the largest multi-sport event in Canada for young athletes and a training ground for Olympic athletes.

These reports will be considered at City Council on Wednesday, December 14.