OttawaThe Ottawa Police Service could be in for a budget boost of as much as 6.5 per cent next year, but the city’s police chief says even that might not be enough to hire all the officers the force needs.Chief Eric Stubbs says even a 6.5% increase won’t pay for 50 new hires in 2026Liam Baker · CBC News · Posted: Sep 30, 2025 1:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoChief Eric Stubbs said Monday even a 6.5% increase to the police levy would only allow the force to hire 25 new employees next year. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) could be in for a budget boost of as much as 6.5 per cent next year, but the city’s police chief says even that might not be enough to hire all the officers the force needs.On Monday, the Ottawa Police Service Board voted to increase the annual police levy by between 2.9 and 6.5 per cent. However, the OPS estimates it needs a 10.6 per cent increase just to maintain services and cover existing collective agreements.That includes a staff stabilization plan that foresaw 50 hires for 2026, including sworn officers and civilians. But Chief Eric Stubbs said the funding constraints make that goal unlikely.”I don’t 100 per cent know what that number is going to be, but likely we won’t be able to afford via the budget the full growth, so we will grow by 25,” Stubbs told reporters before Monday’s board meeting.He said the police service will be looking for efficiencies elsewhere that could allow it to reinvest in more new hires.Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has asked city staff to limit tax increases for most city services to 2.9 per cent, and has noted an increase of 6.5 per cent would represet the single largest boost in police funding in 15 years.In a report to the board, the police service said only a funding boost at the top end of that range would allow it to deliver adequate and effective policing.Stubbs said any additional spending would have to be realized through efficiencies such as cutting administrative costs.Filling the gapsOn Monday, some board members asked about filling gaps in other units such as intimate partner violence, cybercrime and fraud.”In terms of increasing officers right now, my understanding was that there were very few officers,” said Coun. Cathy Curry. “If we’re asking for an increase in budget, it was I thought to fill out some of those units where there are big waitlists.”The 2026 police budget will help fund a number of pilot projects including the deployment of 30 body-worn cameras like this one. (Mrinali Anchan/CBC)The proposed budget increase is also expected to fund a new district policing project, which will divide the city into four zones — central, south, east and west — with the aim of better serving each area. It’s also expected to help fund a body-worn camera pilot project, which is slated to begin in November. Ottawa is one of the last big cities in Canada to adopt the technology.Stubbs said due to budgetary constraints, the pilot will involve 30 cameras to be worn by selected members of the crisis intervention team and designated “change agents.”Unlike other city departments, the Ottawa Police Services Board is solely responsible for drafting its budget, although it still requires final approval from city council on Dec. 10.ABOUT THE AUTHORLiam Baker is an associate producer and reporter for CBC Ottawa. He also reports and produces stories on Inuit Nunangat for CBC Iqaluit. Previously, he’s reported for CBC Yukon, CBC Thunder Bay, CBC Toronto’s Enterprise unit. You can reach him at liam.baker@cbc.ca
Police budget boost won’t cover hiring goal, chief warns
