The Town of Renfrew council is meeting on February 9, 2026, to review the 2026 budget and consider motions on funding for the Renfrew Public Library. The session in Renfrew, Ontario, will focus on spending and tax pressures while the town addresses legacy debt from the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre expansion.
The municipality is working to keep tax increases lower than the 10 per cent hike residents saw in 2025. A major factor in the budget is the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre expansion, which will be financed through a 30-year debenture estimated to cost the town roughly $50–$55 million and has constrained the town’s ability to fund other services.
The Renfrew Public Library board has warned that a proposed $124,000 cut would severely affect operations and programs. Library Board Chair Hayley Heaslip has said, “Our request for a $50,000 increase for 2026 has been turned into a $124,000 cut… this represents nearly all of our general operating costs.” Some councillors have previously moved to return library funding to 2024 levels as a cost-saving measure, while the library had requested an additional $50,000 for 2026 to maintain current services.
Residents are able to attend the meeting and provide input on these spending priorities. The council’s final budget decisions will set the 2026 tax levy for local households and determine service levels at town facilities for the year.
