Pembroke 2026 budget focuses on core services, infrastructure renewal, and affordability

Following two days of deliberations by the City of Pembroke Finance and Administration Committee, Council has advanced the 2026 Budget, balancing service delivery and infrastructure investment with affordability for residents. 

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor budget process, the budget will be finalized after the mayoral veto/override period on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Pembroke is the only single‑tier municipality in Renfrew County. The City tax rate includes both City services as well as the County of Renfrew and other shared services. In nearby lower‑tier municipalities (such as Laurentian Valley and Petawawa), the County/shared services are billed as a separate tax rate.

As amended by Council at the December 16 Council meeting, the 2026 budget is advancing with a total tax levy increase after assessment growth of 6.99%. This includes a levy stabilization reduction of 0.9% to improve affordability to residents. Broken down, the County of Renfrew and shared services portion is 2.36%, and the City portion (comparable to neighbours) is 4.63%.

For the average residential property owner, municipal property taxes are projected to increase by about $238 in 2026 (about $20 per month), split as follows:

• $68 for capital infrastructure projects (roads, sidewalks, parks, and recreation facilities)
• $65 for operating costs to maintain core services (fire, roads, parks) and to promote economic development
• $25 for increased OPP policing costs
• About $80 for the County of Renfrew levy and other shared services (paramedic services, homes for the aged, the local health unit, and other social services)

“Committee and staff worked to fund the services residents rely on, invest in our roads and facilities, and recognize affordability pressures facing households,” says Mayor Ron Gervais.

Managing the City’s infrastructure funding gap remains a priority. The community currently utilizes more than $11 million per year in roads, sidewalks, bridges, storm sewer, parks, fleet, and facilities annually with sustainable funding at $7 million. This $4 million funding gap is creating a backlog of projects that will need to be managed in future years. In 2026, the asset management plan will review the annual 2% infrastructure levy to determine if it is sufficient to meet community service expectations while keeping property taxes affordable year-to-year.

Key 2026 infrastructure projects include:

• Dehumidifier installation at the Kinsmen Pool
• New ice pad surface at the Pembroke and Area Community Centre (PACC), addressing its critical condition with planning to be undertaken in 2026 and construction expected at the end of the hockey season in March 2027
• Continued major construction on Isabella Street
• Road resurfacing on portions of Angus Campbell, First Avenue, Forced Road, International Drive, Townline, and William Street

“We continue to make responsible, incremental progress on our infrastructure needs while keeping the City portion of the levy increase affordable, similar to neighbouring municipalities,” says Deputy Mayor and Finance and Administration Chair Brian Abdallah.

For local user-pay services, the waste management collection fee is increasing from $158 to $180.50 in 2026, following more than five years without a fee change. For water and sewer rates, the average residential customer is estimated to pay about $94 more in 2026 (about $7.87 per month) to maintain safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and system renewal.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, the mayor may veto Council budget amendments within a prescribed period, and Council may override a veto with a two‑thirds vote. In accordance with this process, Pembroke’s 2026 Budget will be finalized on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following the conclusion of the mayoral veto/override window.

Residents seeking additional information about the 2026 Budget may attend a public meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. Attendance is available in person at City Hall (1 Pembroke St. E.), with live streaming provided on the City’s YouTube channel.