Durham Regional Council yesterday voted by a majority of just one against the halving of the proposed 6+ per cent increase in the region’s property tax for 2026.
“Higher tax increase? What part of ‘no’ are some members of regional council unable to understand,” said Councillor Brian Nicholson, from Oshawa Ward 5 and Durham Council member.
“A majority of regional councillors have decided that they know best and have rejected the 3 per cent tax increase recommended last Friday,” said Nicholson (see below).
He alleged “intense lobbying and not so subtle pressure from both the tax hike advocates and regional staff” that resulted in a 15:14 vote to send the 3 per cent increase back to staff.
Council To Now Discuss Proposed 4.8% Hike
Staff have now been directed to prepare a report on a proposed 4.8 per cent tax rate increase for 2026 and to have that report brought back to regional council in January.
When the report is brought up in January, council can approve the 4.8 per cent tax increase or reject it. If rejected, another level of tax increase can be approved. Unless one of the 15 decides to change their vote, the most likely options are 4.8 per cent or 6.6 per cent, said Nicholson.
Dave Barton, Mayor of Uxbridge Township, explained that the majority had voted against the 3 per cent rise as it was artificial and was achieved “by stealing the money from an account that was already committed to other approved projects. “We voted to cap the increase to 4.8 per cent and have staff find the savings instead of reserves. It isn’t popular but it is the responsible decision.”
Fight For Lower Tax Not Over
“While some may be crowing today about this vote, the fight for a lower tax rate is not over,” declared Nicholson. “When the report comes back in January of 2026, Councillor Marimpietri and I will again try to get council to support the 3 per cent tax increase. Round 3 is still on the schedule.”
He urged residents to support their councillor or mayor who voted ‘no’ yesterday and urge them to hold firm.
“If your councillor or mayor is listed on the attached picture [top] as voting YES, they are supporting a higher tax increase of either 4.8% per cent or 6.6 per cent, you should contact them and let them know that their vote is unacceptable. Tell them to change their vote and support 3 per cent or you will remember their vote when you vote next year,” Nicholson said.
“One vote is all we need to reduce the tax increase to 3 per cent. If enough people contact the 15 higher tax increase supporters and urge them to change their vote, the 3 per cent is still achievable…Time to put people power into action in Durham Region,” the councillor exhorted.
Proposed 2026 Durham Tax Increases
- Durham Region: 4.8%-6.6%
- Durham Police: 3%
- City of Pickering: 3.49% own portion
- Town of Ajax: 1.28% own portion
- 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.