Winnipeg, MB — Winnipeg’s Preliminary 2026 Balanced Budget Update proposes the most ambitious capital program in city history, making generational infrastructure investments while keeping property taxes the most affordable in Canada.
“Winnipeg is growing, and this budget makes the investments needed to support that growth while protecting affordability for residents,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “We’re prioritizing infrastructure that drives economic opportunity, strengthening frontline services, and managing our finances responsibly so we can keep delivering the services people count on every day.”
The budget follows the priorities City Council set in its Strategic Priorities Action Plan.
Largest capital program in Winnipeg’s history
The Preliminary 2026 Balanced Budget Update advances the largest capital program the City has ever undertaken, totaling $3.8 billion over six years.
Central to this plan is the new North End Water Sewage Treatment Plant — the most important economic development project in Winnipeg, essential to meeting environmental standards and enabling continued housing and economic development in future decades.
Other major investments include:
- The largest road renewal program ever delivered, with $1.1 billion for regional and local roads
- $239 million for new Transit buses to modernize and expand the fleet
- $79 million for new and renewed recreation and library facilities across the city
- Significant trade-corridor investments such as early design work and land acquisition for the Route 90 Projects and Chief Peguis Trail extension.
Strengthening safety and frontline services
The 2026 Budget Update builds on last year’s frontline staffing investments with new Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) resources to meet the needs of a growing city, including:
- 40 additional firefighter FTEs to strengthen scheduling flexibility (over four years)
- 11.5 additional paramedic FTEs, funded by the Province
- 18 additional police officer FTEs (as per the 2025 budget)
- 17 additional FTEs for the Neighbourhood Action Team to help keep communities clean (as per the 2025 budget)
- 3 additional FTEs in the Utility Billing Centre to improve customer service and reduce call wait times
Late-night Transit service will also be expanded on 11 fixed routes and in 10 On-Request zones to help Winnipeggers get home safely at night.
“Public safety and frontline services remain among Council’s top priorities,” said Councillor Jeff Browaty, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance and Economic Development. “These investments will help us continue delivering strong police, fire, paramedic, transit, and neighbourhood services as Winnipeg grows.”
Responsible management and protecting affordability
The Proposed 2026 Budget Update includes a 3.5% property tax increase, returning to the rate approved in the original multi-year budget. Based on proposals released to date, this represents the second-lowest planned increase among major Canadian cities this budget cycle.
Even with this adjustment, Winnipeg continues to have:
- The lowest municipal property taxes of any major Canadian city.
- The lowest municipal revenue per capita among major cities.
The budget further protects affordability by holding combined water and sewer rate increases to 2.8% in 2026 and 4.2% in 2027 – far below the original proposal of 28.5% and 17.3%.
Winnipeg’s Financial Stabilization Reserve remains in recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, which required significant drawdowns to maintain essential services. The City continues to rebuild the reserve gradually through transparent reporting and proactive risk management.
A new Continuous Improvement Unit, built around employees trained in Lean Six Sigma, will lead efficiency projects across departments to reduce waste, streamline processes, and improve customer service.