A 15:13 vote has slashed the proposed 2026 property tax hike of 6.04 per cent by Durham Region to just less than half.
The now proposed 3 per cent increase has to be ratified by the regional council at a meeting on December 17.
The guideline originally issued by Durham Region staff for the proposed tax hike was 6.5 per cent.
During a meeting on Friday, December 12, an amendment to the 2026 Business Plans and Property Tax Budget for General Purposes, was moved by Councillor Brian Nicholson and seconded by Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri.
“Common sense wins the day…12-hour marathon meetings cut tax increase to 3 per cent,” said Councillor Nicholson. “I am pleased to report that by a vote of 15-13 (see picture below) Regional Council supported the motion I made (and seconded by Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri) to reduce the overall regional tax increase from 6.04 per cent to 3 per cent.”
Ratification
The vote now goes to the regional council for full ratification at its meeting on December 17.
“Given that the vote to recommend this amount was passed overwhelmingly, I am confident that the meeting on December 17th will be just a formality. It would take sheer arrogance and duplicity to overturn today’s vote on the 17th,” said Nicholson.
He pointed out that this 3 per cent increase reduces the additional impact on the average assessed home in Durham from over $200 more to about $100 a year or $9 per month.
“I would have preferred [it] to be even lower but this cut is the level where a majority of those voting would support. Rather than talking about tax relief or opposing the rate for the sake of appearances, Councillor Marimpietri and I were able to convince the majority to support real time tax savings to all Durham residences and businesses,” said Nicholson.
“I want to thank everyone who pressed their councillors to support a lower tax increase. We would not have been successful today without your support,” he added.
Proposed 2026 Durham Tax Increases
- Durham Region: 6.04% (own portion 3.18%)
- Durham Police: 3%
- City of Pickering: 3.49% own portion
- Town of Ajax: 4.9%
- Town of Whitby: 3.49%
- City of Oshawa: 3.98% own portion
- Municipality of Clarington: 3% (own portion 0.99%)
- Township of Scugog: 4.12% own portion
- Township of Brock 4.87% (own portion 3.79%)
- Township of Uxbridge: 1.28% own portion
The above tax increases may have to be approved or may automatically come into force.
Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri congratulated Nicholson.
“Thank you! Well done Brian Nicholson. Your leadership and support in our efforts to collaborate and bring about a responsible sense of reality to council was and is vital to defending the interest of tax payers alike.
“Our combined efforts have again earned the respect and support of our colleagues and the positive consideration of those who believe the status quo is as unacceptable as it is unaffordable,” Councillor Marimpietri said.
