TO: Mayor Elizabeth Roy and Members of Whitby Town Council
DATE: May 11, 2026
SUBJECT: Objection to the Proposed 3.99% Municipal Budget Increase
I. Preamble
We, the residents and taxpayers of Whitby who have signed below, ask the Town Council to withdraw the proposed 3.99% municipal budget increase for 2026. We understand the importance of maintaining infrastructure and essential services. However, with ongoing inflation and the extra tax burden on new homeowners, this increase is too much for many families to manage.
II. Comparative Data & Economic Context
Whitby’s tax burden is higher than that of our neighbouring towns and the provincial average.
Regional Disparity: According to 2025/2026 tax data, Whitby’s final tax rate (approximately 1.33%) already exceeds that of Pickering and Ajax.
Higher compared to other wealthier municipal jurisdictions: Whitby’s residential tax rate is significantly higher than that of the City of Toronto and major municipalities in York Region. This means that for every dollar of assessed home value, Whitby residents pay more in taxes than those in some of the wealthiest areas of the province.  
The "Double Hike" Effect: Residents are dealing with more than just a municipal tax increase. When you add the 4.8% increase from the Region of Durham and the rise in water and sewer rates, the total impact on each household is much greater than the "25 cents per day" mentioned by Town staff.
Public Sentiment: In the Town’s own 2026 budget engagement survey, a large majority of respondents indicated a preference for paying less tax, even if it meant a reduction in non-essential services. This is a clear mandate from the public for fiscal restraint.
III. Disproportionate Impact on New Homeowners
A significant portion of Whitby’s growth comes from new developments (e.g., West Whitby). These residents face a unique and severe "financial cliff":
Market Value Discrepancy: The new homeowners pay much higher property taxes than long-time residents with similar-sized older homes.
The Supplementary Bill Burden: New homeowners sometimes wait up to three years for their MPAC assessment. When the "supplementary bill" finally comes, they owe thousands in back taxes. Adding a 3.99% increase to these already high bills is especially hard for people who just bought at peak prices.
Interest Rates & Debt: Many new residents have high-ratio mortgages and are already dealing with high interest rates. Another tax increase could push some families into financial trouble.
IV. Our Requests
We call upon the Mayor and Council to:
Keep the municipal portion of the tax bill at 2025 levels by identifying savings within existing revenue.
Review non-essential capital projects planned for 2026 to find more ways to save money.
Create a "New Homeowner Mitigation Credit" to help reduce the extra tax burden on people whose homes were assessed after 2020.