Maple Ridge residents and businesses are invited to comment on the city’s draft 2026 budget.
At a special meeting on Feb. 17, council directed staff to proceed with community engagement on the proposed 2026–2030 Financial Plan, and a proposed property tax increase of 3.5 per cent, up to 4.1 per cent including sewer and water.
For the average Maple Ridge home assessed at $1.04 million, this represents an increase of about $181 for the year. The proposed 2026-2030 Financial Plan is based on a provisional estimated operating budget of $181 million.
Public engagement will run until March 29, with both online and in-person opportunities.
“We’re focused on delivering what our residents told us matter the most to them – safe neighbourhoods, less congestion, access to recreation, and a strong local economy – while keeping property taxes as low as possible,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Council directed staff to put affordability front and centre and significantly reduce the previously projected 2026 tax increase by finding efficiencies and savings; while taking a responsible long-term focus so we maintain the core services our residents and businesses rely on every day. Now we’re asking the community to learn more about the budget and share their feedback.”
City hall reports the proposed budget is affected by a number of external cost pressures including inflation, labour and contract increases, rising costs on fees collected on behalf of other levels of government, and provincial housing requirements.
To limit the tax increase to 3.5 per cent, one of the lowest in the region, staff identified more than $4.6 million in additional savings by seeking efficiencies, closely reviewing programs, realigning funding and distributing costs over multiple years.
“As one of the fastest-growing communities in Metro Vancouver, Maple Ridge faces additional challenges ensuring services and infrastructure keep pace with our rapidly increasing population,” Ruimy said. “This means being strategic about setting priorities and allocating resources, as well as advocating for our fair share of senior government funding on behalf of the citizens of Maple Ridge.”
While the draft budget primarily maintains existing service levels, it includes about $700,000 in investments to stabilize key service areas, manage risks, meet service demands, protect assets and avoid higher costs in the long term. These include:
• Increasing contracted security services at city facilities, in the downtown and other high-use areas.
• Sustaining sidewalks, curb and gutter maintenance and road line marking
• Administrative support for delivery of city communications and community engagement.
• A facilities project associate manager to support infrastructure projects and asset management.
• A facilities maintenance technician.
• A Health & Safety Advisor.
• An Emergency Preparedness Advisor.
New this year, the city is mailing a budget highlights newsletter to every property in Maple Ridge, ensuring residents have clear, accessible information about where tax dollars go and how to participate in the budget conversation.
Information about the budget and engagement opportunities is available at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2026. Maple Ridge residents who complete the survey by March 29 can enter a draw for a $150 gift card from the Downtown Business Improvement Association, valid at over 90 local businesses.
Opportunities include:
• Six pop-up sessions
• Watching for the 2026 Budget Highlights in your mailbox
• Viewing the Budget Talks video series at MapleRidge.ca/Budget
Completing the feedback form at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2026
In December, Council adopted a $432-million five-year capital plan that focuses on getting infrastructure built, supporting growth, and delivering the core services residents rely on while minimizing impacts on taxes. The plan advances nearly 140 projects in transportation, public safety, utilities, and community facilities. In 2026, $115.6 million is invested in projects that reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, renew aging infrastructure, and expand access to recreation.