Please see general information related to the budget process on the main “Budget” page.
The 2026 draft budget is now available. This provides an opportunity for consultation with Council and the public before the 2026 budget meetings take place (dates noted below).
How to Get Involved
Members of the public can provide feedback on the draft budget through the following activities/events:
Pop-Up Events:
- Stratford Farmer’s Market at 357 McCarthy Road, Stratford – Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
- The Local Community Food Centre at 612 Erie Street, Stratford – Monday, November 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Stratford Mall at 1067 Ontario Street, Stratford - Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In-Person Open House:
A 2026 Budget Open House is scheduled for November 3, 2025. It will be located in the City Hall Auditorium from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.
2026 Budget Online Engagement:
We are using online tools available on Engage Stratford to gather feedback from the community on the draft budget. Over the next few weeks, we will release poll questions for quick input on specific topics.
Mayor’s 2026 Budget:
The City of Stratford became a Strong Mayor City on May 1, 2025, and the 2026 budget process reflects this change.
For an explanation on the Strong Mayor budget process and proposed 2026 timeline for Stratford, please review page 4 report of the Council Agenda dated August 13, 2025. This report also includes the 2026 Budget Mayoral Direction that has informed the development of the 2026 Draft Budget document.
Following consultation activities, the 2026 Mayor’s Budget will be released on November 18, 2025. Members of Council will then have 15 days to propose amendments to the budget. Any further amendments will be considered during the following meetings of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee:
- November 27, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: The 2026 Mayor’s budget will be presented.
- December 1, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (continuation, if required).
- December 2, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (continuation, if required).
Following any amendments by Council, the Mayor will have an opportunity to veto those amendment(s). Council can then override the veto within 7 days if two-thirds of all council members vote to override the veto.
At the end of this process, the resulting budget is adopted by the City. It is anticipated that the 2026 budget will be adopted prior to mid-December 2025.
All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers. Meetings may be viewed online through the following link:
https://video.isilive.ca/stratford/live.html
Mayoral decisions will be posted to the City’s website on the Strong Mayor Powers, Decisions and Directions page.
If you have questions about the 2026 budget, please contact by email or telephone 519-271-0250 ext. 5202.
2026 Community Grants
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Community Grants Program. Please review the online application form, along with the guidelines and policy that are contained within the form.
Applications will be accepted up to Friday, November 28, 2025. Please email us if you have any questions.