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City of Kitchener 2022 Budget

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This consultation has concluded. See below for a brief summary or for more information about the approved 2022 budget, visit kitchener.ca/budget.


The proposed 2022 budget advances the shared community priorities outlined in our 2019-2022 Strategic Plan:

  • Great Customer Service
  • People Friendly Transportation
  • Environmental Leadership
  • Caring Community
  • Vibrant Economy

These are the priorities that Kitchener residents told us matter to them, and the proposed 2022 budget continues to move strategic plan actions forward.

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, it’s important to reflect back on what we have accomplished together as a city over the past few years. We’re moving forward with a focus on economic recovery, responding to community needs, supporting a growing city and maintaining our core services and infrastructure that you and your family rely on.

The proposed budget continues to support Kitchener’s economic recovery through the Make It Kitchener 2.0 Economic Development Strategy that earmarked $5M to support economic recovery. The proposed budget also supports improved fire response, additional park spaces and trails, and new community centre in the rapidly growing south end of Kitchener. In this year’s proposed budget, we’re creating a central service counter at City Hall to better meet the needs of residents.

The City is also investing in its equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives team to better reflect our community’s diversity and address needs The City is continuing to place priority on implementing the Housing For All Strategy. Additionally, we’re resuming our long-term plan for sustainably funding the needs of Kitchener’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure.

Household impact

After a brief pause due to the pandemic, we’re resuming many of our long-term capital investments in infrastructure. Aging facilities are being serviced, retrofitted or replaced. Water infrastructure investments are resuming to ensure we can reliably deliver these critical services to our growing neighbourhoods. We’re resuming our long-term plan for sustainably funding the needs of Kitchener’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure.

For the average residential property in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for 2022 are:

  • A property tax increase of 1.9 per cent
  • A water utilities increase of 2.2 per cent
  • A gas increase of 12.7 per cent

This represents an annual increase of about $47 for property tax and water utilities and about a $90 annual increase for natural gas due to the increase in supply that is being felt across the province and country.

For more information about the draft 2022 budget, visit kitchener.ca/budget

We want to know what matters most to you!

Get involved in the 2022 budget process by taking our online survey below or joining our public input night.

Public input night is on Monday, November 15. During this meeting, council will hear from resident delegations. If you want to appear as a delegation, please register before 12 noon on Wednesday, November 10.

Take our online survey before December 6 to make sure your voice is included in a presentation to council on the final budget day, December 13.


The proposed 2022 budget advances the shared community priorities outlined in our 2019-2022 Strategic Plan:

  • Great Customer Service
  • People Friendly Transportation
  • Environmental Leadership
  • Caring Community
  • Vibrant Economy

These are the priorities that Kitchener residents told us matter to them, and the proposed 2022 budget continues to move strategic plan actions forward.

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, it’s important to reflect back on what we have accomplished together as a city over the past few years. We’re moving forward with a focus on economic recovery, responding to community needs, supporting a growing city and maintaining our core services and infrastructure that you and your family rely on.

The proposed budget continues to support Kitchener’s economic recovery through the Make It Kitchener 2.0 Economic Development Strategy that earmarked $5M to support economic recovery. The proposed budget also supports improved fire response, additional park spaces and trails, and new community centre in the rapidly growing south end of Kitchener. In this year’s proposed budget, we’re creating a central service counter at City Hall to better meet the needs of residents.

The City is also investing in its equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives team to better reflect our community’s diversity and address needs The City is continuing to place priority on implementing the Housing For All Strategy. Additionally, we’re resuming our long-term plan for sustainably funding the needs of Kitchener’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure.

Household impact

After a brief pause due to the pandemic, we’re resuming many of our long-term capital investments in infrastructure. Aging facilities are being serviced, retrofitted or replaced. Water infrastructure investments are resuming to ensure we can reliably deliver these critical services to our growing neighbourhoods. We’re resuming our long-term plan for sustainably funding the needs of Kitchener’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure.

For the average residential property in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for 2022 are:

  • A property tax increase of 1.9 per cent
  • A water utilities increase of 2.2 per cent
  • A gas increase of 12.7 per cent

This represents an annual increase of about $47 for property tax and water utilities and about a $90 annual increase for natural gas due to the increase in supply that is being felt across the province and country.

For more information about the draft 2022 budget, visit kitchener.ca/budget

We want to know what matters most to you!

Get involved in the 2022 budget process by taking our online survey below or joining our public input night.

Public input night is on Monday, November 15. During this meeting, council will hear from resident delegations. If you want to appear as a delegation, please register before 12 noon on Wednesday, November 10.

Take our online survey before December 6 to make sure your voice is included in a presentation to council on the final budget day, December 13.

This consultation has concluded. See below for a brief summary or for more information about the approved 2022 budget, visit kitchener.ca/budget.

Do you have any questions about the 2022 Budget? Please ask them here. We typically respond within 3 business days.

  • Share I'd like to know what the INNOVATION DISTRICT PARKING project for $11.8m is in 2027/28. Can someone provide more details? on Facebook Share I'd like to know what the INNOVATION DISTRICT PARKING project for $11.8m is in 2027/28. Can someone provide more details? on Twitter Share I'd like to know what the INNOVATION DISTRICT PARKING project for $11.8m is in 2027/28. Can someone provide more details? on Linkedin Email I'd like to know what the INNOVATION DISTRICT PARKING project for $11.8m is in 2027/28. Can someone provide more details? link

    I'd like to know what the INNOVATION DISTRICT PARKING project for $11.8m is in 2027/28. Can someone provide more details?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

    A parking garage was identified for the Innovation District through the City’s last Parking strategy that was conducted a number of years ago.  While this project is still indicated on the City’s 10 year capital plan, the City will be conducting a Parking Master Plan strategy in 2023 which will determine necessity. Because Parking operates as an Enterprise, capital costs associated with parking are funded through the user fees and the enterprise rather than the tax base.

  • Share CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE is receiving $9.3m over the next 10 years at a pretty constant rate of about $1m/year. If the cycling projects that are currently being built are much more than $1m, where can they be found in the budget? on Facebook Share CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE is receiving $9.3m over the next 10 years at a pretty constant rate of about $1m/year. If the cycling projects that are currently being built are much more than $1m, where can they be found in the budget? on Twitter Share CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE is receiving $9.3m over the next 10 years at a pretty constant rate of about $1m/year. If the cycling projects that are currently being built are much more than $1m, where can they be found in the budget? on Linkedin Email CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE is receiving $9.3m over the next 10 years at a pretty constant rate of about $1m/year. If the cycling projects that are currently being built are much more than $1m, where can they be found in the budget? link

    CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE is receiving $9.3m over the next 10 years at a pretty constant rate of about $1m/year. If the cycling projects that are currently being built are much more than $1m, where can they be found in the budget?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

     Ongoing cycling projects primarily consist of works in the downtown on the City’s protected cycling network that was approved in 2020 with a total project cost of  $5.9M.   These works were budgeted using capital reserves and capital for cycling infrastructure from 2021-2023.  

  • Share The City is investing $10m into the RBJ Schlegel park. The relative density in that area relative to the downtown is relatively low. When will the City be making an investment in parkland in the downtown neighbourhoods? on Facebook Share The City is investing $10m into the RBJ Schlegel park. The relative density in that area relative to the downtown is relatively low. When will the City be making an investment in parkland in the downtown neighbourhoods? on Twitter Share The City is investing $10m into the RBJ Schlegel park. The relative density in that area relative to the downtown is relatively low. When will the City be making an investment in parkland in the downtown neighbourhoods? on Linkedin Email The City is investing $10m into the RBJ Schlegel park. The relative density in that area relative to the downtown is relatively low. When will the City be making an investment in parkland in the downtown neighbourhoods? link

    The City is investing $10m into the RBJ Schlegel park. The relative density in that area relative to the downtown is relatively low. When will the City be making an investment in parkland in the downtown neighbourhoods?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

     RBJ Schlegel has approximately $5M of additional investment to the park infrastructure over the balance of the 10 year capital forecast. Additional investment at RBJ Schlegel park focusses on the new aquatics infrastructure on site. This work has been planned since the early 1980s when the land at the park site was purchased by the City as a future multi recreational site. More than 90% of the funding for RBJ Schlegel park comes from development charges (charges levied to developers) and from provincial and federal funding programs; less than 10 % of the costs come from the tax base. 

    Over the same time period, more than $13M of investment is being made in local parks and open spaces, including a proportion that will be dedicated to the downtown area. Specifically, Victoria Park sees an additional $2.75M of investment to support infrastructure investments on site, as well as an additional investment of more than $350k requested through budget dedicated to investing in Indigenous Placemaking projects. Specifically, work has recently been completed at Vogelsang Green, and work is underway at both Oktoberfest Plaza and Francis Green to support enhancements in coming years. As well the 2022 budget also includes new funding to enhance investment into trees and green infrastructure along King Street, and 2021 saw the end of a more than 5 year, $3M+ project to enhance the Iron Horse Trail. 

     

    Through the Places and Spaces project, staff are revisiting and renewing the Park Master Plan of 2010 and recasting this for the next decade; through this staff and Council will adopt strategies to address parkland needs across the City, including within the downtown area. This will lead to actions that direct funding through future budget cycles to addressing parkland needs across the City – reinvestment into existing parks and open spaces as well as whether additional parks and open spaces are needed. 

  • Share If traffic calming and street safety are a priority for the city, how does the City see the investment of $2.3m over the 10 years contributing to that goal? Are there specific projects planned? on Facebook Share If traffic calming and street safety are a priority for the city, how does the City see the investment of $2.3m over the 10 years contributing to that goal? Are there specific projects planned? on Twitter Share If traffic calming and street safety are a priority for the city, how does the City see the investment of $2.3m over the 10 years contributing to that goal? Are there specific projects planned? on Linkedin Email If traffic calming and street safety are a priority for the city, how does the City see the investment of $2.3m over the 10 years contributing to that goal? Are there specific projects planned? link

    If traffic calming and street safety are a priority for the city, how does the City see the investment of $2.3m over the 10 years contributing to that goal? Are there specific projects planned?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

    Traffic calming locations are determined annually using relevant data and community requests.  Further, the City of Kitchener recently approved a Vision Zero strategy which will also be funded through the traffic calming capital plan.  Vision Zero is a street safety strategy with the goal of eliminating traffic related serious injuries and fatalities.

  • Share The City has declared a climate emergency. The budget shows $45m being invested in extending the roads further into the suburbs. How does this tie into the City's goal to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of public transportation? on Facebook Share The City has declared a climate emergency. The budget shows $45m being invested in extending the roads further into the suburbs. How does this tie into the City's goal to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of public transportation? on Twitter Share The City has declared a climate emergency. The budget shows $45m being invested in extending the roads further into the suburbs. How does this tie into the City's goal to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of public transportation? on Linkedin Email The City has declared a climate emergency. The budget shows $45m being invested in extending the roads further into the suburbs. How does this tie into the City's goal to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of public transportation? link

    The City has declared a climate emergency. The budget shows $45m being invested in extending the roads further into the suburbs. How does this tie into the City's goal to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of public transportation?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

    The works associated with extension into the suburbs (the extensions of Strasburg Road and Amand Drive as an example) are necessary to service and provide access to those areas that are within the City’s developable land area.  These roads will provide active transportation facilities and an opportunity to service these suburbs with transit.  The intent, even with road extensions, is to ensure that these areas are still well serviced by transit and active transportation facilities.

  • Share There is an extreme need for affordable housing in the community. These range from average market rate units to slightly below market rate to heavily subsidized and even trying to find ways to house some of our homeless. The City has pledge $1m to this cause that will be shared with 2 other initiatives and the funds that do go to affordable housing will be used to offer developers Development Charge reductions. With no other funds to be seen in the budget for housing, what does the City see as its long-term solution for addressing the housing crisis? on Facebook Share There is an extreme need for affordable housing in the community. These range from average market rate units to slightly below market rate to heavily subsidized and even trying to find ways to house some of our homeless. The City has pledge $1m to this cause that will be shared with 2 other initiatives and the funds that do go to affordable housing will be used to offer developers Development Charge reductions. With no other funds to be seen in the budget for housing, what does the City see as its long-term solution for addressing the housing crisis? on Twitter Share There is an extreme need for affordable housing in the community. These range from average market rate units to slightly below market rate to heavily subsidized and even trying to find ways to house some of our homeless. The City has pledge $1m to this cause that will be shared with 2 other initiatives and the funds that do go to affordable housing will be used to offer developers Development Charge reductions. With no other funds to be seen in the budget for housing, what does the City see as its long-term solution for addressing the housing crisis? on Linkedin Email There is an extreme need for affordable housing in the community. These range from average market rate units to slightly below market rate to heavily subsidized and even trying to find ways to house some of our homeless. The City has pledge $1m to this cause that will be shared with 2 other initiatives and the funds that do go to affordable housing will be used to offer developers Development Charge reductions. With no other funds to be seen in the budget for housing, what does the City see as its long-term solution for addressing the housing crisis? link

    There is an extreme need for affordable housing in the community. These range from average market rate units to slightly below market rate to heavily subsidized and even trying to find ways to house some of our homeless. The City has pledge $1m to this cause that will be shared with 2 other initiatives and the funds that do go to affordable housing will be used to offer developers Development Charge reductions. With no other funds to be seen in the budget for housing, what does the City see as its long-term solution for addressing the housing crisis?

    Stevo asked almost 3 years ago

    The City has committed to taking over 40 actions with regard to housing that are within the City’s jurisdiction as the lower-tier municipality through Housing for All. Through our engagement, development charges were identified by both the non-profit sector who build and operate affordable housing, and developers who would like to build affordable housing as one barrier to creating more supportive and affordable units locally. A number of actions within the strategy focus on staff investigating longer term incentive and policy solutions that the City will work on holistically with local partners, area municipalities, and the Region of Waterloo where appropriate. During final budget approval, Council approved $2M of funding for affordable housing initiatives. In early 2022, staff will bring forward a recommended policy on how to use this funding for Council’s consideration.

  • Share How are market value on properties going to be addressed? The current increase in house prices is ridiculous and pandemic inspired. It would mean too bid off a shock for household budgets if current pricing is applied to taxes. on Facebook Share How are market value on properties going to be addressed? The current increase in house prices is ridiculous and pandemic inspired. It would mean too bid off a shock for household budgets if current pricing is applied to taxes. on Twitter Share How are market value on properties going to be addressed? The current increase in house prices is ridiculous and pandemic inspired. It would mean too bid off a shock for household budgets if current pricing is applied to taxes. on Linkedin Email How are market value on properties going to be addressed? The current increase in house prices is ridiculous and pandemic inspired. It would mean too bid off a shock for household budgets if current pricing is applied to taxes. link

    How are market value on properties going to be addressed? The current increase in house prices is ridiculous and pandemic inspired. It would mean too bid off a shock for household budgets if current pricing is applied to taxes.

    Jewels asked about 3 years ago

    Property values are determined for all municipalities by an independent third party organization named MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation).  Property assessments are done periodically so they do not immediately reflect market changes in property values.  According to MPAC’s website, the latest update was to take place in 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19. For additional information about property assessment you can check out MPAC’s website.