Ajax Tackles Funding and Housing - Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

Ajax Council met on April 20, 2026, to address infrastructure funding, budget pressures, and several community safety items. Council heard questions about how investment interest is being used, debated the infrastructure levy and long-term asset costs, and used strong mayor powers to move a housing project forward through site plan. Council also discussed the province’s long-delayed property assessment update, and passed motions related to youth exploitation by organized crime and ethical investment guidelines.

Topics Discussed

Infrastructure Funding Gap, Investment Interest, and the Infrastructure Levy

Staff reported the town needs about $26 million annually to maintain existing assets at approved service levels, while the 2026 budget provides $17 million, creating a projected $24–25 million gap over the next decade after council previously chose to “decrease service level to a more manageable level.”

A resident questioned how Ajax handled 2025 investment performance, noting the town received $20.2 million in investment revenue and transferred $17.1 million to reserves, and argued that overperformance should reduce taxes rather than support operations. Financial staff said: “We did not contribute some of the interest earned to capital reserves as we typically would have in the past. This was to help offset operating pressures.”

Council also revisited the decision to reduce the infrastructure levy from 2% to 1% in the 2026 budget. Regional Councillor Lee defended the choice as a response to cost pressures: “Affordability was at a particularly tough time…in the midst of various tariffs and various price increases. Relief was needed and it was what we could do at the time to provide that relief to our constituents.” Another question raised during the discussion was whether “carrying an asset base of nearly 2.8 billion” is something residents can “realistically afford to maintain over time.”

Housing Development Advanced Using Strong Mayor Powers

Mayor Collier used strong mayor powers to advance approvals for a development at 21 and 23 Harwood Avenue South and 103 Heron Street, including a 12-storey mixed-use building (161 units plus commercial space), a 5-storey seniors building (49 units), and underground parking.

The mayor said he wanted the project moving because he anticipates council will not make decisions for “probably the next 8 months or so given the election coming up,” adding: “I wanted this done and in the works so they can continue through site plan.”

During discussion, concerns were raised about timing and delivery. Councillor Henry said the proponent is not planning to build the project themselves and is looking for a joint venture partner or buyer, meaning construction is unlikely in the near term.

Property Tax Assessment Update After a Decade

Council discussed Ontario’s property assessment delay, with no provincewide update in about 10 years despite the usual four-year cycle. Questions from the floor focused on what an update could mean for individual tax bills. Council also passed a motion endorsing restarting the assessment cycle.

Motion on Criminal Exploitation of Minors

Councillors Henry and Crawford brought forward a motion on youth recruitment by organized crime, including concerns about what happens after missing youth are found and returned home. Henry said youth may be unwilling to engage with supports because “They don't want to talk to counselors. They don't want to talk to the police. They're fearing for their life. They're fearing for retribution. they're fearing for their family safety.” The motion referenced federal Bill C-16, which would create a specific Criminal Code offence for recruiting young persons into criminal activity.

Ethical Investment Guidelines Debate

Council debated a motion on ethical investment and human-rights due diligence for public pension funds, prompted by reports of pension investments linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Councillor Henry said: “I don't think our public dollar should be used for that and I think the members of our community would agree with that.” Amendments were discussed to broaden what could be captured under “ethical investment,” and the amended motion ultimately passed.

Motions

Passed: - Bylaw 40-2026: Final tax rate bylaw
- Bylaw 41-2026: Amended traffic bylaw (PDS 202610) with amendments
- Bylaw 42-2026 and 43-2026: Property bylaws for 103 Heron Street and 21 and 23 Harwood Avenue South
- Bylaw 44-2026: Confirming proceedings of April 20, 2026 meeting
- Extended alcohol service hours until 3:00 a.m. during 2026 FIFA World Cup events
- Motion endorsing restart of property assessment cycle
- Motion requiring public disclosure of CCTV camera locations in town facilities
- Motion on criminal exploitation of minors for organized crime
- Motion on ethical investment guidelines for public pension funds
- Motion directing staff to prepare report on soccer field resources by June 2026
- Motion approving $120,000 for preliminary design work on Meadowway trail project
- Transit fare cap program effective July 2027
- Speed limit reduction from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on Ashbury Boulevard Range Road
- Installation of no-parking signs on Kumer Crescent
- CCTV transparency motion including blue emergency phone unit locations

Received for Information: - Durham District School Board letters regarding elected trustee positions (Items 6.2 and 6.3)
- Regional council reports from April 20, 2026

Deferred/Tabled: - Traffic bylaw amendment regarding two-thirds majority requirement for future one-off amendments (tabled for staff to draft appropriate language)

Attendees

• Mayor Collier
• Deputy Mayor Cooper
• Regional Councillor Lee
• Regional Councillor Crawford
• Councillor Henry
• Councillor Bower
• Councillor Tyler-May (also referenced as Tyler-Morren)
• Councillor Dice
• Councillor Dy

Staff Present: - Deputy CEO Cooper
- Treasurer (name not specified)
- Director of Finance (name not specified)
- Mr. Romanowski (Director of Operations)
- Mr. Pena (staff member)
- Mr. Meredith (Director of Operations)
- Clerk (name not specified)