Budget 2026-2027

Have your say on the 2026-2027 City Budget!

An online survey is available below and will be open until Tuesday, Nov. 4 at midnight.

A series of in-person Town Hall events are also being planned throughout October:

Town Hall Schedule:

Monday, Oct. 20
6 to 8 p.m.
Simmons Sports Centre (Community Room), 170 North River Rd.

Tuesday, Oct. 21
6 to 8 p.m.
Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre, 1 Avonlea Dr.

Monday, Oct. 27
6 to 8 p.m.
Cody Banks Arena (Maple Room), 58 Maple Ave.

Thursday, Oct. 30
6 to 8 p.m.
West Royalty Community Centre, 1 Kirkdale Rd.


Town Hall events are being held earlier in the budget process this year and will give attendees the opportunity to engage with staff and Councillors, ask questions and share ideas before departmental budgets are presented to Council.


The City’s annual budget process outlines funding priorities for services and programs that residents and businesses rely on every day. Public input will help guide Council’s deliberations in early 2026, with the final budget approved in March.


Charlottetown’s Financial Planning Process for the 2026-2027 Budget

The City of Charlottetown is committed to managing public finances responsibly, balancing fiscal capacity with the pressing challenges facing residents. Our approach keeps both today’s needs and tomorrow’s obligations in mind, ensuring sustainable growth that preserves financial stability for future generations.

This prudent approach over the years has given us the flexibility to avoid municipal property tax rate increases. With a stable economic outlook, we expect to balance operating budgets, as fiscal sustainability remains a key priority.

We’ve made significant investments in critical public services like roads, policing, fire, culture, and parks and recreation.

Strong population growth has boosted revenue, while also placing demands on resources. Our commitment remains to make sound financial decisions that support a thriving, resilient New Charlottetown now and for the future.


Budget 101

A municipal budget is a summary of the money coming in and being spent by a municipality in a specific period of time, referred to as a fiscal period. It is a comprehensive guide for making financial and operational decisions.

The City’s expenditures, or what it spends money on, is divided into operational and capital:

The operational budget is the financial plan that outlines the day-to-day expenses and revenue projections for running the municipality over a specific period, typically a fiscal year. It covers ongoing operational costs such as employee salaries, utilities, maintenance, public safety, administrative expenses, and other routine expenditures required to deliver services to residents. Revenue sources usually include property taxes, user fees, grants, and other forms of income generated by the municipality.

The capital budget is a financial plan that focuses on long-term investments in infrastructure, facilities, and other major projects that enhance or expand the municipality's physical assets. It typically covers large-scale projects with significant costs and longer lifespans, such as building new roads, storm water management, bridges, parks, sewer systems, or upgrading existing infrastructure. Funding often comes from sources like short and long-term borrowing, government grants, special levies, and reserve funds.

Provincial legislation states that expenses cannot be greater than the money coming into the City. That means the City cannot plan to spend more than what it expects to collect through taxes and other sources – the City cannot run a deficit.

Have your say on the 2026-2027 City Budget!

An online survey is available below and will be open until Tuesday, Nov. 4 at midnight.

A series of in-person Town Hall events are also being planned throughout October:

Town Hall Schedule:

Monday, Oct. 20
6 to 8 p.m.
Simmons Sports Centre (Community Room), 170 North River Rd.

Tuesday, Oct. 21
6 to 8 p.m.
Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre, 1 Avonlea Dr.

Monday, Oct. 27
6 to 8 p.m.
Cody Banks Arena (Maple Room), 58 Maple Ave.

Thursday, Oct. 30
6 to 8 p.m.
West Royalty Community Centre, 1 Kirkdale Rd.


Town Hall events are being held earlier in the budget process this year and will give attendees the opportunity to engage with staff and Councillors, ask questions and share ideas before departmental budgets are presented to Council.


The City’s annual budget process outlines funding priorities for services and programs that residents and businesses rely on every day. Public input will help guide Council’s deliberations in early 2026, with the final budget approved in March.


Charlottetown’s Financial Planning Process for the 2026-2027 Budget

The City of Charlottetown is committed to managing public finances responsibly, balancing fiscal capacity with the pressing challenges facing residents. Our approach keeps both today’s needs and tomorrow’s obligations in mind, ensuring sustainable growth that preserves financial stability for future generations.

This prudent approach over the years has given us the flexibility to avoid municipal property tax rate increases. With a stable economic outlook, we expect to balance operating budgets, as fiscal sustainability remains a key priority.

We’ve made significant investments in critical public services like roads, policing, fire, culture, and parks and recreation.

Strong population growth has boosted revenue, while also placing demands on resources. Our commitment remains to make sound financial decisions that support a thriving, resilient New Charlottetown now and for the future.


Budget 101

A municipal budget is a summary of the money coming in and being spent by a municipality in a specific period of time, referred to as a fiscal period. It is a comprehensive guide for making financial and operational decisions.

The City’s expenditures, or what it spends money on, is divided into operational and capital:

The operational budget is the financial plan that outlines the day-to-day expenses and revenue projections for running the municipality over a specific period, typically a fiscal year. It covers ongoing operational costs such as employee salaries, utilities, maintenance, public safety, administrative expenses, and other routine expenditures required to deliver services to residents. Revenue sources usually include property taxes, user fees, grants, and other forms of income generated by the municipality.

The capital budget is a financial plan that focuses on long-term investments in infrastructure, facilities, and other major projects that enhance or expand the municipality's physical assets. It typically covers large-scale projects with significant costs and longer lifespans, such as building new roads, storm water management, bridges, parks, sewer systems, or upgrading existing infrastructure. Funding often comes from sources like short and long-term borrowing, government grants, special levies, and reserve funds.

Provincial legislation states that expenses cannot be greater than the money coming into the City. That means the City cannot plan to spend more than what it expects to collect through taxes and other sources – the City cannot run a deficit.

  • 2026-2027 Pre-Budget Consultation Survey

    Have your say! As part of the city’s budget process, we want to hear from you to learn more about the priorities and preferences of Charlottetown residents.

    This survey focuses on services funded through your local municipal taxes (i.e., does not include federal, provincial or education taxes).

    By taking part in this survey, you’ll help us understand how well municipal services are valued and which ones are a priority for the people who live here. 

    Take Survey
Page last updated: 07 Oct 2025, 11:46 AM