Owen Sound Calls for Province to Address Police, Library, and Legislative Funding Gaps in Pre-Budget Submission
Owen Sound City Council approved a 2026 pre-budget submission urging fairer provincial funding and support for rural communities.
City Council has approved a formal submission to Ontario’s 2026 pre-budget consultation, calling for stable and equitable provincial funding in three key areas: police services, public libraries, and the implementation of new provincial legislation.
The submission highlights a growing funding gap in local policing costs, particularly court security. In 2024, the Owen Sound Police Service spent $764,000 on court security, with only $394,000 covered by the province — leaving a $370,000 shortfall.
The City is also pushing for targeted operational funding for public libraries and the establishment of an Ontario Digital Public Library, citing outdated provincial contributions that have not increased in over 25 years.
A third recommendation calls on the Province to reduce the administrative burden of omnibus legislation on small municipalities, which often lack the staff resources to manage frequent and complex policy changes.
One recent example resulted in an unexpected $149,000 loss due to changes in development charge rules for long-term care.
Council also approved an amendment to include support for stable, long-term provincial funding for Ontario colleges. Citing recent cuts to international student enrollment and frozen tuition, Council stressed the importance of maintaining rural post-secondary education options, including Georgian College’s Owen Sound campus.
The province’s pre-budget submission deadline is January 30.
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