Mayor Canniff says essential services will stay intact — but senior government support is crucial for the plan to work
In a move that signals both fiscal restraint and community commitment, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff has set a 3% property tax increase target for 2026 — aiming to maintain vital services without slashing community assets.
Using newly granted strong mayor powers, Canniff introduced the directive during a budget presentation to council Monday, emphasizing that the approach relies heavily on financial backing from senior levels of government.
“We Can’t Stand Still”
Mayor Canniff framed the discussion with a question:
“Do we stand still? Do we stagnate? Or do we invest now to see a better Chatham-Kent in the future?”
With affordability top of mind, Canniff stressed that residents shouldn’t have to worry about losing access to libraries, museums, recreational centres, or fire services.
“I’m not asking for cuts — period,” he said. “We are a community of communities, and we need to support both our largest and smallest.”
Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future
Last year’s 4.99% tax increase, passed in November as part of Chatham-Kent’s multi-year budget plan, sparked concern among residents — particularly around fears of service reductions. This time, Canniff is signaling a more balanced approach.
He called on councillors to offer cost-saving suggestions that maintain services, while also urging the municipality to think 5, 10, and 20 years ahead when it comes to infrastructure investment.
“The worst thing we can do is wait,” he said. “Delays only drive costs up.”
Infrastructure and Tariffs: A Tough Balancing Act
Amid ongoing uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs, Canniff made it clear that now is not the time to scale back municipal investment.
“When I hear people say, ‘We can’t invest — the tariffs are up and times are tough,’ I point to both provincial and federal governments. They’re doing the opposite. They’re stimulating the economy.”
Lobbying for a Fairer Deal
Alongside the tax plan, council approved a motion to ramp up advocacy efforts for more provincial and federal funding. Municipal CFO Gord Quinton didn’t mince words:
“The property tax system is broken in Ontario,” he said. “We need new revenue tools.”
Among the staff’s top funding requests:
- 75% provincial funding for homelessness and supportive housing initiatives
- Matching funds to meet Chatham-Kent’s 10-year asset management plan
- Removing the $10M cap on the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)
- Doubling and indexing the Canada Community Building Fund post-election
CAO Michael Duben added that Chatham-Kent is underfunded compared to other municipalities, and based on the province’s own formulas, the city should receive at least $25.5 million in OCIF allocations.
“That’s one of the things we really need to advocate,” Duben emphasized. “We’d be having a very different conversation if that funding came through.”
What’s Next?
Council and staff will now work collaboratively to lobby senior governments for one-time grants tied to approved capital projects, while keeping community needs and long-term growth in sharp focus.
As Canniff puts it:
“We can be responsible without being regressive. Now is the time to invest in the Chatham-Kent we want tomorrow — not just maintain the one we have today.”
