Oakville Council's 20th Annual State of the Town Address

Mayor Rob Burton delivered Oakville Council's 20th annual State of the Town address, covering municipal finances, housing growth, infrastructure, public services and the local economy. He highlighted below-inflation tax increases, a funded 10-year asset management plan, transportation projects, an expansion at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, a proposed downtown cultural hub and negotiations over building heights near Oakville GO. Council received the State of the Town report and passed a confirming by-law.

Burton concluded: "After 20 years of these reports, how do I say we're doing? The state of our town is strong. Strong as an oak."

Topics Discussed

Municipal finances and infrastructure

Burton said Oakville's performance-based budgeting model has kept average municipal tax increases below inflation for the past eight years. "Investors trust a town that minds its money. It means we measure the outcomes of every tax dollar."

The town added $1.6 billion to its assessment rolls this year, which Burton said "takes the pressure off existing taxpayers."

Council has approved a 10-year asset management plan, with staff confirming funding for projects planned during that period. Oakville Enterprises paid a record $12.2 million dividend to the town this year, with annual dividends projected to reach $20 million by 2029. Burton said the funds "give us the ability to fund community features we will not be able to afford any other way without raising taxes."

Growth, housing and transportation

Oakville is planning for a provincially mandated target of 33,000 new homes by 2031. Official Plan Amendment 70, approved unanimously by council in February 2025, establishes infrastructure standards for transit, roads, pipes and parks and is awaiting provincial approval.

Burton said the town must accommodate growth while protecting established neighbourhoods. "Canada needs more homes. We need and want housing for our young people and our newcomers. We have only so much land and we have neighborhoods we want to protect from intensification."

A provincial Minister's Zoning Order set a maximum height of 56 storeys for development near Oakville GO, following proposals of up to 61 storeys. The town, province and developers are discussing whether the maximum could be reduced to 38 storeys by distributing units across available public land. Burton warned, "If the talks fail, we will get one thing, 56 floor buildings."

The address also identified provincial commitments to the Kerr Street underpass, the Royal Windsor interchange at the QEW and an eastward expansion of Oakville GO. Provincial land in northwest Oakville is being converted to municipal parkland, with council having approved the acquisition of the first parcel.

Community facilities, hospital and public services

An expansion under construction at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital will add 111 beds. Burton said the project comes at "no cost to the town this time," attributing the arrangement to planning provisions made during the hospital's original construction in 2011.

The town is planning a downtown cultural hub containing a central library and performing arts centre. Other planned projects include an eighth community centre and streetscape improvements in Kerr Village and Bronte. Oakville has tripled its community-facility space over the past 20 years.

Oakville Transit recorded more than 5 million riders over the past year. The expanded 16 Mile Sports Complex includes indoor FIFA-certified soccer and cricket facilities and is expected to host the Hockey Canada U17 World Challenge in November.

Economic development, Ford and public safety

Oakville ranked second in Canada for new investment, with more than $3 billion, and fourth for new jobs, with nearly 2,000 jobs, according to Site Selection magazine. The reported growth was concentrated in professional services, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital media.

Ford has invested in producing Super Duty pickup trucks at its Oakville plant. Test trucks are being produced, with market production expected later this year. The plant is planned to produce up to 100,000 trucks annually and recall and retrain thousands of Unifor Local 707 workers. Ford CEO Jim Farley said, "Our manufacturing operations in Oakville are really important to our future at Ford."

The town shifted spending in other areas to fund requests from Halton Regional Police without adding a supplemental tax increase. A consolidated Halton courthouse is planned for a site north of Oakville Hospital, replacing the existing courthouses in Milton and Burlington.

AI data centre, trade and council turnover

Oakville has imposed an interim freeze on a proposed large-scale artificial intelligence data centre in the northeast end. The pause allows studies and public consultation on noise, electricity demand and water consumption.

Burton called for expanded international economic relationships in response to U.S. protectionism. "We cannot wait for American politics to change. Support for tariffs runs deep there. No matter who wins. Canada must widen its circle."

At least six new councillors are expected after the upcoming municipal election. Burton said, "Any council can change direction. So, we don't know what will happen. What we know for sure is that there will be at least six new counselors this fall."

Motions

• Receipt and adoption of the State of the Town report: Moved by Councillors Longo and Adams; adopted.
• Confirming By-law 2026-137: Confirmed the proceedings of the special council meeting. Moved by Councillors Lchenna and Shia; carried without objection.

Attendees

The meeting information identified the following councillors:

• Peter Longo
• Nav Nanda
• Jonathan McNeice
• Cathy Duddeck
• Marc Grant
• Janet Haslett-Theall
• Natalia Lishchyna
• Jeff Knoll
• Allan Elgar
• Dave Gittings
• Sean O'Meara
• Ray Chisholm
• Rob Burton

Mayor Rob Burton delivered the State of the Town address.