Ottawa Police Service faces $22 million budget shortfall in 2026
The Ottawa Police Service is projecting a $22 million operating deficit this year, driven by overtime costs and a major homicide investigation, according to a report going to the police services board on November 5.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on ctvnews.ca.
Ottawa Police Service is projecting a $22 million operating budget deficit in 2026, driven by overtime costs, the expense of a landfill homicide investigation and the cost of recruiting new officers, according to a staff report. CTV News Ottawa reported the figures on October 30 after obtaining the report.
The $414.9 million 2026 police budget included a five per cent increase in tax revenue. Staff say the service found $6.9 million in savings during the year, including $2.4 million cut from its overtime budget and a hiring freeze introduced in February. The deficit of $22 million remains after those savings.
What is driving the shortfall
Overtime is the largest single pressure. The report projects a $10 million deficit in non-recoverable overtime for the year. Staff break that down as $1.7 million in overtime to maintain minimum staffing on the frontline, $1.6 million in court security costs and $1.5 million in overtime at the communications centre.
A homicide investigation at a landfill added $4.6 million in unplanned costs. A Special Constable pilot project cost $1.8 million more than budgeted. Recruiting new officers added $3 million in non-compensation costs, covering items such as psychological assessments and equipment. Fuel came in $1 million over budget.
What comes next
The board's finance and audit committee is scheduled to receive this report and an update on the 2027 draft budget at its November 5, 2026 meeting.
Re-elected Mayor Mark Sutcliffe campaigned on adding 200 police officers, 100 paramedics and 50 firefighters. The 2026 deficit exists before any of those additions. The November 5 meeting is the next public opportunity for elected officials and the public to question police service leadership on costs.
Residents who want to follow the 2027 budget process can watch or attend the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on November 5. The meeting agenda is posted on the board's website.
Questions this story answers
How large is Ottawa Police Service's budget deficit in 2026?
A report going to the Ottawa Police Services Board says the service is projecting a $22 million operating budget deficit in 2026. The $414.9 million approved budget included a five per cent boost in tax revenue, but staff say that is not enough to cover rising costs this year. CTV News reported these figures on October 30, 2026.
What is the main cause of the Ottawa police budget shortfall?
Overtime costs are the largest single cause. The service is projecting a $10 million deficit specifically in non-recoverable overtime. Within that figure, $1.7 million came from overtime to maintain minimum staffing on the frontline, $1.6 million from court security costs, and $1.5 million from overtime at the communications centre, according to the report.
What role did the landfill homicide investigation play in the deficit?
A homicide investigation at a landfill added $4.6 million in costs to the 2026 budget that were not anticipated in the original spending plan, according to the report. This is one of several pressures beyond overtime that pushed the service into deficit despite $6.9 million in savings found during the year.
Did Ottawa police find any savings to offset the deficit?
Yes. Staff say the service found $6.9 million in savings in 2026, including $2.4 million from its overtime budget. Spending restraint measures introduced in February, including a hiring freeze, are credited with generating most of those savings. The deficit of $22 million remains after these measures.
When will the Ottawa Police Services Board discuss this?
The board's finance and audit committee is scheduled to receive a report on the 2026 deficit and an update on the 2027 draft budget at its meeting on November 5, 2026. Residents can watch or attend the meeting through the Ottawa Police Services Board.
What did the city's 2026 police budget include?
Ottawa's city council approved a $414.9 million police budget for 2026, which included a five per cent increase in tax revenue directed to police services. Despite this boost, a projected $22 million deficit emerged by late October 2026, driven by overtime and investigation costs that exceeded what the budget covered.
Did the new mayor promise to expand the Ottawa Police Service?
Yes. Re-elected Mayor [Mark Sutcliffe](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mark-sutcliffe) campaigned on a promise to add 200 police officers, 100 more paramedics and 50 more firefighters. The current deficit exists before any of those additions. The budget discussions that begin at the November 5 board meeting will inform the 2027 city budget process.
What other costs contributed to the police deficit?
Beyond overtime, the report names $3 million in non-compensation costs for new hires (psychological assessments, background checks and officer equipment), $1.8 million for the Special Constable pilot project, $1 million for staff stabilization and $1 million in higher fuel costs. Together these add up alongside the $10 million overtime deficit to reach the $22 million total.
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