Draft OPS Budget focused on service, district policing -- includes multi-year efficiencies plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 12, 2025   8:55 a.m.

(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tabled its 2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget to the Ottawa Police Service Board (OPSB) today – a spending plan that continues to advance the Board’s Strategic Priorities, focusing on service delivery and community safety,  staffing stabilization, and district policing. 

The 2026 Draft Budget was developed following extensive consultation with residents, community leaders, City staff and OPS members. It reflects the evolving safety needs of Ottawa’s growing population while addressing the operational and fiscal realities facing the Service and municipality. The OPS and the Board engaged extensively with residents and members during the budget development process. Community feedback highlighted priorities such as increased police visibility, quicker response times, stronger relationships and proactive engagement — all key considerations reflected in this budget.

“This Draft Budget responds to the priorities of the community and focuses on ensuring the Service is adequately staffed, efficient and responsive to community needs,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “It funds the next phase of our district model, adds officers and front line staff where they’re needed most and delivers real efficiencies to ensure we continue to effectively serve residents effectively.”

Service Highlights

• District Policing Model: OPS is modernizing service delivery through a District Policing Model tailored to Ottawa’s urban, suburban, and rural areas. It aims to boost community relationships, visibility, and trust. New district boundaries in 2026 will better align resources.
• Staff Stabilization Strategy: OPS will continue its multi-year strategy to fill staffing gaps and meet CSPA requirements. In 2026, 25 new positions will support timely, professional service.
• Technology and Modernization: OPS will advance the Facilities Strategic Plan, including the South Facility Project, and explore a new training centre to replace lost Algonquin College space. Body-Worn Cameras will be piloted with Crisis Intervention Team members and Change Agents, using AI transcription to improve efficiency and documentation.

Board Oversight and Community Engagement

“Today we are tabling the 2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget to City Council,” said Salim Fakirani, Chair of the Ottawa Police Service Board. “The Board is committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds. I encourage Ottawa residents to review the draft budget and share their feedback at the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee meeting on November 21st, or by writing to the Board. Ultimately, the budget is about people – keeping our community safe, supporting our members, and ensuring that the residents of Ottawa receive the high standard of service they expect and deserve. We must balance today’s needs with a vision for a stronger, safer tomorrow.”

Financial Highlights

The Draft Gross Operating Budget for 2026 is $484 million, with a Net Operating Budget of $414.9 million after accounting for one-time and non-tax revenues—an increase of $26.1 million over 2025. This will result in a 5% increase in police taxation revenues as well as a projected assessment growth increase of 1.6%.

The OPS continues to deliver on efficiencies and has been a shrinking portion of the overall net city budget. In 2017, the OPS Budget was 9.7% of the city net budget and remained at 8.9% from 2023 to 2025.  With the investment in the OPS in 2026, the OPS budget will grow to 9.2% of the net City budget.   

Efficiencies

OPS has set a 2026 efficiency and reinvestment target of $4.3 million, primarily from adjustments to constable ranks due to higher hiring, IT contract reviews, and reduced fuel costs following carbon tax changes. A multi-year efficiency initiative will help offset rising costs from collective agreements, overtime, legislative demands and legislatively  required training facility investments.

Key efficiency efforts include:

• Service level and span of control reviews
• Streamlining admin and overhead
• Expanded use of Special Constables and Victim Choice Reporting
• Wellness and scheduling improvements to reduce sick leave
• Cutting overtime reliance by 10%
• Technology-driven gains in strategic projects and service delivery
• Deferring capital contributions to ease budget pressure
• Deploying AI-enabled Body Worn Cameras
• Lowering fleet costs via telematics
• Rationalizing IT licensing

The Service and Board are also working together with City staff to ensure police spending is efficient, sustainable, and aligned with community needs, and have launched a coordinated effort to develop a four-year financial plan that supports long-term stability. The results of that work will be reported in 2026 and will include long-range forecasts on the police budget.

Federal and Provincial Funding: New Services

In 2026, OPS will continue leveraging federal and provincial funding to deliver fully funded initiatives that enhance community safety. These initiatives include:

• Parliamentary Precinct – development of a precinct to address federal policing needs and reduce the redeployment of suburban and rural officers.
• Alternative Mental Health Support Project – fully funded community-led programs that redirect certain mental health calls in Centretown to specialized service partners.
• Alternative Staffing Special Constable Project (Project Complement) – new special constable positions in fraud, cybercrime, forensic identification, and hospital support, allowing sworn officers to focus on core policing duties.
• Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Strategy – a coordinated safety plan for Ottawa’s ByWard Market and Rideau Street corridor, including the Neighbourhood Operations Centre (NOC), the Downtown Integrated Community Situation Table (ICST), focused enforcement, and a community advisory board.
• Mounted Unit – new unit to support demonstrations, enhance urban visibility, and assist in search operations.
• Dedicated ByWard Market Patrol – a fully funded team to strengthen public safety and increase police presence in the area.

We want to hear from you…

The Board and the OPS want to hear from local residents and businesses about their thoughts on the 2026 Budget.

We encourage public delegations and questions from members of the public and Ottawa City Councillors at the November 21, 2025, Finance and Audit Committee meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81337447665

The OPS 2026 Budget is scheduled for approval by the OPSB on December 5, 2025. It will later be reviewed and scheduled for approval by Ottawa City Council on December 11, 2025.

A complete copy of the OPS’ 2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget can be reviewed by visiting ottawapolice.ca/budget.

You can also request a copy of the report by emailing [email protected].

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