2026 Budget Explainer

Pickering remains committed to being an inclusive and welcoming city where residents feel supported, especially as affordability continues to be top of mind for many households. Even as we grow, we continue to have the lowest residential property tax rate among Durham Region’s lakeshore municipalities, a position we have held for many years.

Growth brings new opportunities for community well-being. It also requires balanced and responsible investment in amenities that improve quality of life, such as pools, arenas, libraries, parks, and recreation spaces that serve our diverse and evolving community.

Proposed 2026 Budget Highlights

The total property tax bill in 2026 is going up by 4.82 percent, made up of a 1.06 percent City share and a 3.76 percent Region share.

When you pay property taxes, that money gets split between the following:

• Region of Durham: 57.82 percent of your bill
• City of Pickering: 30.30 percent of your bill
• Boards of Education: 11.88 percent of your bill

City of Pickering

• The City is increasing its own budget by 3.49 percent
• Since the City represents 30.30 percent of your bill, that equals about a 1.06 percent increase on your total tax bill
• The average 2026 residential tax increase will be $76.70 (City share) based on a residential assessment of $563,000.

Durham Region

• The Region is increasing its budget by 6.5 percent
• Since they make up the biggest chunk of your bill, that equals about a 3.76 percent increase on your total tax bill

School Boards

Key investments

The City’s portion supports rising operating costs while investing in the infrastructure, programs, and services that strengthen Pickering’s quality of life, such as:

• Opening and operating the Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre
• Design and tender for Fire Hall 5 replacement
• Design of the new Seaton Recreation Complex & Library
• Expanded winter pathway maintenance
• Major road resurfacing projects
• Ongoing improvements to parks and public spaces

How your residential property tax bill is split

(Example: home assessed at $586,000)

When you pay property taxes, the City does not keep the full amount. Your tax bill is allocated across three levels of service:

Region of Durham

• 57.82 percent or $4,366.45
• Funds police and paramedic services, transit, waste management, social assistance, child care, social housing, homes for the aged, and public health.

City of Pickering

• 30.30 percent or $2,285.91
• Funds fire services, libraries, community programs, recreation centres, road maintenance, parks, animal services, by-law enforcement, street lights, and storm sewers.

Boards of Education

• 11.88 percent or $896.73
• The education tax rate is set by the Province, and local school boards determine how education funds are allocated.

Total residential property taxes: $7,549.09

For every tax dollar paid, the City of Pickering retains about 30.30 cents. The remaining approximately 70 cents supports regional services and education.

(This example uses 2025 tax rates. Final 2026 property tax rates are approved by Council in April)

Learn more

Residents can explore the full details at pickering.ca/budget for the 2026 Mayor's Proposed Capital and Current Budgets and the 2027 to 2035 Forecast.