Budget Committee approves fees and charges for 2026

By October 2, 2025Announcement

Fees and charges help to recover costs for services or activities that the City provides, while offsetting costs for taxpayers.

October 2, 2025

As part of the City’s annual budget process, on October 1, Budget Committee approved the 2026 schedule for fees and charges for City services and programs. This includes updated fees for various services including transit, recreation and culture, transportation and works, library and permits for people or businesses using certain City services. The City charges these fees to help recover costs for services and activities that it provides.

Fees and charges are paid by anyone using fee-based programs and services offered by the City, regardless of their status as a taxpayer. User charges are generally charged when services offered by the City benefit specific individuals instead of the community as a whole. User charges include things like transit fares, attendance at recreation programs, dog licences and building permits.

Most fees have been updated to account for the rate of inflation which has been estimated at three per cent. With all the updated fees, the City aims to increase revenues by approximately $5.3 million, which will help reduce the overall impact on taxpayers. The fees were reviewed and the recommended update aims to balance affordability, particularly for core services and equity deserving populations, while limiting reliance on taxpayers.

Fees and charges for 2026 at a glance

MiWay (public transit)

The revised fees are in response to the increasing cost of operating transit, and to advance the strategic goal of Developing a Transit Oriented City.

Revised fares include:

  • PRESTO adult single fare, from $3.40 to $3.50
  • PRESTO youth single fare, from $2.65 to $2.90
  • Adult monthly pass, from $141 to $145
  • Affordable Transit Program discounted adult PRESTO monthly pass, from $70.50 to $72.50
  • Cash fare for adult and youth, from $4.25 to $4.50
  • Cash fare for senior, from $1.00 to $4.50

Since July 2025, seniors ages 65 and older ride MiWay for free with a PRESTO card set to the senior fare type.

The latest increase to the cash fare aims to encourage riders to transition from cash to PRESTO to benefit from discounted fares on PRESTO, get free transfer when connecting with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO transit. This also helps harmonize all cash fares paid on MiWay at the same price for all, regardless of age (adults, youth, or seniors).

Recreation and Culture

The recommended rates and fees respond to market demand and attempt to drive increased participation while generating incremental revenue. Highlights of new rates and fees include:

  • NEW: Pool rental fee per lane; and private, semi-private fitness program fees for general and therapeutic personal training
  • NEW: Filming location fees at outdoor artificial turf fields and Living Arts Centre parking area

Enforcement

The restructuring and reclassification of Enforcement fees and charges aim to enhance transparency, improve organizational clarity and reflect current practices.

  • NEW: Animal Services fees for end-of-life care, and cremation of dogs, cats and small animals
  • NEW: Fees for property re-inspections, and formal reassessment of a Rental Standards property evaluation

Library

The library focuses on cost recovery, and identifying changes required with updates to processes and the introduction of new technology and services.

  • NEW: New fees related to the use of Makerspace technology

Parks, Forestry and Environment

The City maintains 3,178 hectares of City-owned parkland and open spaces and 370 sports fields to support active living and wellbeing.

  • NEW: Fees for the new hybrid artificial cricket field and natural grass outfield

Transportation and Works

New fees support flexibility for construction and development projects.

  • NEW: A Complex Construction Monthly fee for technical services
  • NEW: Ditching fee as part of the Access Modification Permit

What are fees and charges?

The City of Mississauga imposes fees and charges to reduce the impact on the property tax base and regulate various activities that benefit public interest.

Historically these payments have been used to offset tax increases. In 2025, fees and charges represented nearly 18 per cent of the City’s revenue. While taxes fund general public services, fees and charges are directly tied to the use of particular services. The Budget Committee’s recommendations aim to ensure that those who benefit from use, contribute to covering the costs.

The Fees and Charges By-law, approved by Council, identifies the rates and fees proposed for specific City services, programs and activities. The 2026 Fees and Charges schedule is set to be implemented as of January 1, 2026 (with some exceptions to align with business areas). Final approval for all fees and charges will be made by Council.

Budget Committee meetings

The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and is open for the public to attend. The full schedule of meetings is available online at Council and Committees Calendar Listings.

Stay informed. Learn more about the City Budget and property taxes by:

For more information about the City’s budget, visiting mississauga.ca/budget.