The Nation Municipality has officially adopted its 2026 operating budget, following adjustments tied to a significant reduction in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) costs and the completion of the formal budget process under provincial legislation.  

During their latest council meeting on Monday, January 26, Council presented the proposed original 2026 budget during a regular meeting held on Novembre 10, 2025. In the weeks that followed, council members reviewed the proposal and adopted two amendments at regular meetings on Novembre 24 and Decembre 8, 2025.  

A key change to the budget occurred after the municipality received its final OPP billing on Decembre 5, 2025. The invoice showed a reduction of $211,119 compared to the amount originally included in the proposed budget.  

At the Decembre 8 council meeting, members verbally agreed with the mayor’s recommendation to revise the budget to reflect the updated policing costs. The approved adjustments included eliminating a previously planned $48,300 withdrawal from municipal reserves, transferring $62,819 into reserves, and applying the remaining $100,000 to reduce the overall budget requirement.  

As a result of these changes, the municipality’s total contribution to reserves now stands at $111,119. The revised figures also reduced the required tax levy increase to $741,820, representing a 4.6 per cent increase for 2026.  

To formalize the changes, the mayor issued Mayoral Decision MDE-2025-14 on Decembre 8, 2025, ratifying the adjustments related to the final OPP billing. The decision was circulated to council members and made publicly available by Decembre 9, 2025.  

The mayor also issued Mayoral Decision MDE-2025-15, shortening the veto period for council’s budget amendments from the standard 10 days to one day. This change moved the end of the veto period from Decembre 20 to Decembre 11, 2025, allowing the budget process to proceed more quickly.  

With all steps completed in accordance with Section 7 of Ontario Regulation, the 2026 budget was deemed adopted on Decembre 12, 2025.  

Council has now formally recognized that the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget, incorporating the two council-adopted amendments and the OPP billing adjustment, is adopted. Council also directed municipal administration to return with a tax levy by-law to formally establish the 2026 tax rates.