2026 Budget
Every year as a homeowner, you pay your Regional property tax bill. Or if you're renting, you pay your landlord who then pays their Regional tax bill. Those dollars go toward the Niagara Region budget which funds programs, services and infrastructure that keep Niagara running.
The 2026 Budget is focused on maintaining what matters most to your community while keeping an eye on taxpayer affordability.
2026 Tax impact
6.30%
increase on the Regional portion of your property tax bill
$42.3M
increase to the approved General Levy budget
$211
estimated annual increase for the average Niagara home
Estimated increase is based on a single detached home in Niagara with an approximate market value of $620,600 in September 2025 (Niagara Association of Realtors). Increases will appear on tax bills starting mid-2026.
Agencies, boards and commissions see an increase of 4.40 per cent (or 5.09 per cent inclusive of capital financing), with Niagara Regional Police Service making up 4.21 per cent (or 4.40 per cent inclusive of capital financing) of that total.
Where your tax dollars go
This breakdown shows how the general services portion of your Regional property taxes is divided, based on an assessed home value of $298,000.
| Niagara Regional Police Service | $1,013.10 |
| Community Services | $393.01 |
| Roads | $276.46 |
| Public Health | $266.18 |
| Administration/Government | $203.93 |
| Housing | $121.83 |
| Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority | $32.80 |
| Court Services | $0.39 |
*Based on MPAC's 2016 valuation of the average assessed home in Niagara ($298,000).
Key priorities
In 2026, Niagara Region is focused on four areas that matter most to our community. These priorities are guided by Council's Strategic Priorities — the roadmap that shapes how Regional programs, services and investments are planned and funded.
Infrastructure
Strengthen and modernize the Region's infrastructure to support future growth and the impacts of climate change.
Housing
Address housing shortages and affordability, ensuring community needs are met through sustainable solutions and partnerships.
Homelessness
Implement initiatives to combat homelessness, focusing on prevention, support services and long-term solutions.
Advocacy for funding
Pursue funding opportunities and advocate for resources aligned with provincial and federal funding programs.
What your dollars support
Here's a snapshot of what Niagara Region delivered for residents with your tax dollars.
Seniors
1,500
residents in long-term care homes
Seniors
10,500
companion visits to help families caring for loved ones
Children
20,525
elementary school dental screenings
Social support
6,200
affordable homes created by supporting 51 housing providers
Healthy families
86%
decrease in drivers speeding in automated enforcement zones
Healthy families
18,000
face-to-face mental health visits
911 services
99,625
emergency responses to 911 calls
Growth
500,000
potholes patched across Niagara
| Service area | Community impact |
|---|---|
| Children | 21 EarlyON Centres operating across Niagara |
| Children | 750 children cared for across home and child care centres |
| Healthy families | 25 family physicians recruited in 2024 |
| Healthy families | 30,171 vaccinations administered |
| Healthy families | 15,007 health inspections completed |
| Growth of the Region | 1738 km of Regional roads maintained |
| Seniors | 2,600 seniors supported through Seniors Community Programs |
| Seniors | 1,000 seniors in need helped by rapid response support |
| Social assistance | 5,588 people kept in housing through emergency benefits |
| Social assistance | 2,438 rent supplements to create affordable housing |
| Social assistance | 3,072 community housing units operated |
Learn about all the programs and services we support. [needs link]