East Gwillimbury proposes 3.9% tax increase as 2026 budget talks begin

East Gwillimbury residents could see their property taxes rise by 3.9% under the town’s proposed 2026 budget, which council will review in a series of meetings on November 12, 19, and 26 at the Civic Centre in Sharon. The draft plan would add roughly $95 to the annual tax bill of the average homeowner, with the final budget expected to be adopted in early December.

Town officials say the increase accounts for inflationary pressures, program cost increases, legislative requirements, and ongoing funding for major projects — including the Health and Active Living Plaza and the town’s asset management plan. The proposal also allocates funds for community safety, specifically the hiring of four new firefighters.

A town spokesperson noted that even with the proposed hike, East Gwillimbury will continue to have the lowest local property tax rate in York Region, meaning residents still pay less on average than those in any of the region’s nine municipalities.

Residents can follow the budget deliberations in person at the Civic Centre (19000 Leslie St., Sharon) or watch live on the town’s YouTube channel.

This marks the final budget cycle before the 2026 municipal election on October 26, 2026. East Gwillimbury has seen consecutive tax increases in recent years — 6.85% in 2025, 6.7% in 2024, and 5.55% in 2023 — meaning that, if approved, local property taxes will have risen a total of 23 percentage points over four years.