The 2026 budget process in The Nation Municipality is unfolding differently this year.

The Nation is one of the local municipalities where the mayor was granted so-called “strong mayor” authority by the Ontario government earlier this year. Mayor Francis Brière has delegated most of that authority to council, but the one component of the strong mayor’s authority which could not be delegated is the mayor’s ability to implement a municipal budget.

On November 10, a draft Mayor’s Budget was introduced to council proposing a 5.66 per cent increase in the municipal tax levy for 2026. The 5.66 per cent increase equates to $916,820 more in property taxes than were collected in 2025. The average value of a residential property in The Nation is $300,000. The owner of a property valued at that amount will pay $88.30 more in property taxes in 2026.

Brière acknowledged that the budget development process is different but was chosen as a way of mitigating the potential tax increase burden on property owners. He said that 3.2 per cent was cut from the projected tax levy increase in the original version of the budget. Staff began working on the 2026 budget during the summer of 2025.

Brière told council he wanted to be sure the new process was being followed properly. Even though it is officially a Mayor’s Budget, he wants it to be developed and adopted with group input from council.

“I need something you guys are going to believe in and you’re going to be able to defend in public,” he said to council on November 10.

Ward 1 Councillor Tim Stewart was disappointed with how the document was presented. He said there was less information than in previous years.

“It’s tough to explain to the taxpayers where their money is going when we don’t have that information anymore,” he remarked.

Ward 6 Councillor Marjorie Drolet said the documents were easier to follow in previous years.

Treasurer Nadia Knebel acknowledged it is a different process for staff to adjust to, and that some information was “scaled back” in the documents.

Brière said he would like to have more information included in the future, so councillors know as much as possible.

Chief Administrative Officer Pierre Leroux said from the administration’s perspective, they presented something acceptable to maintain services. He said any further discussion would involve deciding which services to cut. Leroux noted that operational increases were limited to 0.27 per cent, and the Recreation Department reduced its operating budget by $100,000.

“We’re not looking to cut back services,” Brière said.

Leroux also acknowledged there was less information included in the 2026 budget document, but emphasized staff are always open to questions from council.

Brière hoped council was more at ease and comfortable with proceeding with the development and adoption of the 2026 budget. Further discussions were planned for the Monday, November 24 meeting of The Nation Council.