Budget and Financial Statements
2026 Plan and Budget
The Region's annual budget process began on October 22, 2025 and the final 2026 Budget will be reviewed by Council on December 16, 2025. See our full Preliminary 2026 Budget Book here.
Community engagement for the 2026 Plan and Budget
Your voice is important as we build the Plan and Budget! Visit our EngageWR page to share your thoughts and learn about public meetings and events.
- November 10, 5 to 7 p.m. at Kinbridge Community Centre, 200 Christopher Dr, Cambridge
- November 12, 5 to 7 p.m. at Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave S, Elmira
Residents can also share their budget priorities with Regional Council at two Public Input Sessions. Delegates who wish to speak must register here before the meeting:
- November 18, starting at 6 p.m. in Regional Council chambers,150 Frederick St, Kitchener
- December 3, starting at 6 p.m. in Regional Council chambers,150 Frederick St, Kitchener
What is the Plan and Budget?
Our Plan and Budget is how we make wise investments in things that matter. It’s how we support the people of Waterloo Region with:
- Roads and infrastructure
- Paramedic and public health services
- Clean drinking water and wastewater services
- Affordable housing
- Museums and cultural programming
- ...And much more!
Every year, Regional Council makes difficult decisions about what we can afford with limited resources. We know that people in Waterloo Region are dealing with rising costs that make life harder. The 2026 Plan and Budget will need to balance community needs with affordability. Regional Council and staff are working hard to review the budget and ensure we are investing your tax dollars responsibly and efficiently to deliver the services our community needs. We look at which essential priorities we must maintain and which projects can wait for another year.
We’re focused on delivering an affordable budget that is:
- Focused on what matters to community
- Supports quality services and performance
- Fiscally responsible, finding efficiencies and managing future costs
Investing in community priorities
The 2026 Plan and Budget is guided by our Growing with Care strategic plan, which was built with input from people across this community. Our four strategic priority areas are:
- Housing For All: We will invest in affordable homes and economic opportunity for all that are part of inclusive and environmentally sustainable communities.
- Climate Aligned Growth: As we grow, we will support a healthy environment where communities can thrive. Through intentional collaboration and creativity, we will support sustainable community growth.
- Equitable Services and Opportunities: Through collaboration and innovative design, we will provide equitable, accessible services across Waterloo Region that support the social determinants of health, safety and complete communities as we grow.
- Resilient and Future Ready Organization: The Region of Waterloo is a great place to work, where everyone is valued, feels they belong and where they have the supports and tools they need to do a great job. We will be prepared for the future by providing a safe space for bold ideas and experimentation, based on data and other ways of knowing.
2026 Meeting Schedule
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October 22, 2025 - 2026 Plan and Budget Overview: Setting the Stage |
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November 18, 2025 - 2026 Plan and Budget Detailed Budget Review Day #1 |
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November 18, 2025 - Public Input Meeting #1 |
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Meeting details:
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November 19, 2025 - 2026 Plan and Budget Detailed Budget Review Day #2 |
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November 26, 2025 - Police Service Budget Presentation |
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December 3, 2025 - 2026 Plan and Budget: Responses to Councillor Requests and additional follow-ups |
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Webcast |
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December 3, 2025 - Public Input Meeting #2 |
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Meeting details:
Webcast |
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December 16, 2025 - 2026 Plan and Budget: Final Budget Day |
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Meeting details: Agenda - Not available yet Webcast |
2025 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on December 20, 2024.
Explore this summary of the 2025 Plan and Budget (click the link to view full screen).
| See all the 2025 Plan and Budget Documentation |
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August 14, 2024 - Strategic Planning and Budget Sub-committee Meeting details:
August 28, 2024 - Strategic Planning and Budget Sub-committee Meeting details:
September 11, 2024 - Strategic Planning and Budget Sub-committee Meeting details:
October 2, 2024 - Strategic Planning and Budget Sub-committee Meeting details:
October 16, 2024 - 2025 Plan and Budget Meeting details:
October 30, 2024 - 2025 Plan and Budget Meeting details:
November 6, 2024 - 2025 Plan and Budget Meeting details:
November 6, 2024 - Public Input Meeting #1 Meeting details:
November 20, 2024 - 2025 Plan and Budget Meeting details:
November 27, 2024 - 2025 Plan and Budget Meeting details:
November 27, 2024 - Public Input Meeting #2 Meeting details:
December 3, 2024 - Public input meeting #3 At the November 27 Planning and Budget Committee meeting, Regional Council directed staff to publish potential service reductions to meet a less than 8% budget guideline. To ensure residents and community partners have the opportunity to comment on these options, a third Public Input meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. These reductions are being published ahead of the December 11, 2024 Final Strategic Planning and Budget Committee meeting and the report can be found here. In total, the financial impact associated with the reduction options would amount to a 2025 net levy reduction of $5.2 million which translates into a property tax impact of 1%. This report is being published ahead of the December 11, 2024 Final Strategic Planning and Budget Committee meeting. In total, the financial impact associated with the reduction options would amount to a 2025 net levy reduction of $5.2 million which translates into a property tax impact of 1%.
December 11 and 20, 2024 - Final Budget Days At the November 27 Planning and Budget Committee meeting, Regional Council directed staff to publish potential service reductions to meet a less than 8% budget guideline. To ensure residents and community partners have the opportunity to comment on these options, a third Public Input meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. These reductions are being published ahead of the December 11, 2024 Final Strategic Planning and Budget Committee meeting and the report can be found here. In total, the financial impact associated with the reduction options would amount to a 2025 net levy reduction of $5.2 million which translates into a property tax impact of 1%. This report is being published ahead of the December 11, 2024 Final Strategic Planning and Budget Committee meeting. In total, the financial impact associated with the reduction options would amount to a 2025 net levy reduction of $5.2 million which translates into a property tax impact of 1%.
December 11, 2024:
December 20, 2024: |
2024 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on December 13, 2023.
Explore this summary of the 2024 Plan and Budget (click the link to view full screen).
| See all the 2024 Plan and Budget Documentation |
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October 4, 2023 - 2024 Plan and Budget: Setting the Stage Meeting details:
October 18, 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2033 Capital Program: Detailed Budget Review Day #1 Meeting details:
October 18, 2023 - Public Input Meeting #1 Meeting details:
November 1, 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2033 Capital Program: Detailed Budget Review Day #2 Meeting details:
November 1, 2023 - Public Input Meeting #2 Meeting details:
November 8, 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2033 Capital Program: Detailed Budget Review Day #3 Meeting details:
November 22, 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2033 Capital Program: Detailed Budget Review Day #4 Meeting details:
November 29, 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2033 Capital Program: Detailed Budget Review Day #5 Meeting details:
November 29, 2023 - Public Input Meeting #3 Meeting details:
December 13, 2023 - Final Budget Day Meeting details: |
2023 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on February 22, 2023.
| Explore the 2023 Plan and Budget summary |
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Below is a summary of investments made by Region of Waterloo council through the 2023 Plan and Budget. |
2022 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on December 15, 2021.
2021 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on January 20, 2021.
2020 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on January 22, 2020.
2020 Final Budget Issue Papers
2019 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by Council on February 19, 2019.
2019 Final Program Budget Book
2019 Final Budget Issue Papers
2018 Budget
The Region's annual budget process was completed and approved by council on December 13, 2017.
Final 2018 Program Budget Book
Final 2018 Budget Issue Papers
Financial Statements
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