Questions · 12 so far
We read East Hawkesbury's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 29 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+232%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
East Hawkesbury spent $111K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $369K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$893Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. East Hawkesbury had $893K saved at the end of 2025, up from $340K in 2019. That is 21% of one year's spending. None of the 29 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$2,000,000long-term debt in the 2026 fire budget, against $1,131,427 of debts at the end of 2025
The 2026 budget plans to issue $2,000,000 of long-term debt (money borrowed and paid back over years) for a fire hall in St-Eugène. At the end of 2025 the Township's debts came to $1,131,427, so this one loan is about 1.8 times everything it owed (worked out by us). The 2026 fire budget lines for loan payments are the same small amounts as for the loans it already has. We did not find where the Township explains what the new loan will cost each year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$889,446gain on sale of assets in 2025, against an annual surplus of $1,019,862
In 2025 the Township reported an annual surplus of $1,019,862 and a "gain on sale of tangible capital assets" (a gain from selling buildings, land or equipment) of $889,446. Without that gain the surplus would have been $130,416 (worked out by us). Part of the gain, $64,260, is a non-cash accounting item from a building that was sold. The year before, the gain was $229,817 on a surplus of $372,180. The budget book shows sale lines under Recreation Facilities and Commercial and Industrial.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$286,072more than budget in 2025 once amortization is left out (worked out by us)
The 2025 statements show expenses of $5,014,308 against a budget of $3,902,922. Most of that gap is amortization (the yearly wearing-out cost of buildings, roads and equipment), which the budget does not include: it is "-" in the budget column and $825,314 in the actual column. Set amortization aside and spending was $4,188,994 against $3,902,922, which is $286,072 or 7.3% more (worked out by us). Materials account for $199,289 of that.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+10%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, East Hawkesbury collected $256K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 10% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 5 of 29 similar towns raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$831Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $831K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 4 of 29 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $766K.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$3,065,017Township tax levy in the 2026 budget, against $2,850,754 in 2025
The budget summary lists "Taxes - Township" of $3,065,017 for 2026, against $2,850,754 for 2025, an increase of $214,263 or 7.5% (worked out by us). We did not find a staff report or budget message in the documents we read that explains the increase. The 2026 budget also shows the policing contract rising from $482,000 to $535,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$830,657taxes receivable at December 31, 2025 (2024: $766,163)
At the end of 2025 the Township was owed $830,657 in taxes, up from $766,163 a year earlier, a rise of $64,494 (8.4%, worked out by us). The Township collected $6,253,867 in taxes in total for 2025, so the unpaid amount is about 13% of that (worked out by us). The budget book shows $60,147 collected in penalties on tax arrears in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$90,092.62total council pay and mileage allowance for 2024, the newest statement posted
The Municipal Act says the treasurer must give council a statement of pay and expenses paid in the previous year by March 31. The Township's page says so itself. On October 7, 2026 the newest statement on the page was for 2024. Also, the statements for 2023 and 2024 show a "Mileage Allowance" column of the same round amounts ($720.00 for most members and $1440.00 for one) rather than amounts that differ with travel.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$300cheque required with a formal complaint, as printed on the Township's page
The Township's Integrity Commissioner page says a complaint about a member of council must be sent in a sealed envelope with an original form and "Cheque for $300" made payable to the Township. We did not find any Integrity Commissioner report posted on the Township's pages, and we did not check what the Township's by-law says about whether the fee is refunded.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$437per home on snow ploughing, 2025
East Hawkesbury spent about $437 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $159. Only 1 of 29 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
+232%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
East Hawkesbury spent $111K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $369K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +16% | +1% |
| 2021 | +39% | +4% |
| 2022 | +50% | +11% |
| 2023 | +85% | +16% |
| 2024 | +173% | +18% |
| 2025 | +232% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $111K, 2020 $128K, 2021 $155K, 2022 $167K, 2023 $206K, 2024 $304K, 2025 $369K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $21,214 to $176K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 65%. East Hawkesbury ranks 2nd of 30.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$893Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. East Hawkesbury had $893K saved at the end of 2025, up from $340K in 2019. That is 21% of one year's spending. None of the 29 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $340K |
| 2020 | $437K |
| 2021 | $485K |
| 2022 | $492K |
| 2023 | $452K |
| 2024 | $537K |
| 2025 | $893K |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $340K, 2020 $437K, 2021 $485K, 2022 $492K, 2023 $452K, 2024 $537K, 2025 $893K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 79% of a year's spending. East Hawkesbury: 21%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$2,000,000long-term debt in the 2026 fire budget, against $1,131,427 of debts at the end of 2025
The 2026 budget plans to issue $2,000,000 of long-term debt (money borrowed and paid back over years) for a fire hall in St-Eugène. At the end of 2025 the Township's debts came to $1,131,427, so this one loan is about 1.8 times everything it owed (worked out by us). The 2026 fire budget lines for loan payments are the same small amounts as for the loans it already has. We did not find where the Township explains what the new loan will cost each year.
Borrowing spreads the cost of a building over many years, but the repayments come out of the tax levy (the part of property tax that goes to the Township's own services). A loan this size compared with the Township's yearly tax levy deserves a plain account of the repayment plan.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Fire budget, 2026: "fire - issuance of long-term debt" 2,000,000 (2025 budget 0). "Fire - transfer to capital fund" 2,140,000 (2025 budget 22,000). "Fire - principal payment on long-term debt" 32,955 and "Fire - interest payment on long-term debt" 1,970 (2025 budget 31,505 and 3,421).
Budget 2026 · PDF page 10, Fire, accounts 1-4-1210-2000, 1-5-1210-7100, 1-5-1210-2000 and 1-5-1210-2010
Statement of financial position, December 31, 2025: "Debts (Note 7)" 1,131,427 (2024: 1,752,941). Note 7: principal payments of 214,063 in 2026 and 209,121 in 2027 on those debts.
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 6 (statement of financial position) and PDF page 14 (Note 7)
Statement of operations, 2025: "Net taxation for municipal purposes" 2,919,564, the tax money the Township itself collected.
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 5, statement of operations
$889,446gain on sale of assets in 2025, against an annual surplus of $1,019,862
In 2025 the Township reported an annual surplus of $1,019,862 and a "gain on sale of tangible capital assets" (a gain from selling buildings, land or equipment) of $889,446. Without that gain the surplus would have been $130,416 (worked out by us). Part of the gain, $64,260, is a non-cash accounting item from a building that was sold. The year before, the gain was $229,817 on a surplus of $372,180. The budget book shows sale lines under Recreation Facilities and Commercial and Industrial.
Selling a property can only be done once. If surpluses depend on sales, residents should know what was sold, for how much, and where the money went.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, 2025: "Gain on sale of tangible capital assets" budget "-", actual 889,446 (2024: 229,817). "Annual surplus" 1,019,862 (2024: 372,180).
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 5, statement of operations
Statement of cash flow, 2025: "Proceeds from sale of tangible capital assets" 902,000; "Debts principal repayment" (621,514).
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 8, statement of cash flow
Note 8: "During the year, the Municipality disposed of a building." The related asset retirement obligation was removed at $64,260, and "This gain represents the elimination of a noncash liability".
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 15, Note 8
Statement of operations, 2024: "Gain on sale of tangible capital assets" budget 275,000, actual 229,817 (2023: 316,879). "Annual surplus" 372,180 (2023: 534,937).
Financial statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF page 5, statement of operations
2026 budget book, 2025 "Actual Values": Recreation Facilities "sale of tangible capital assets" 175,000, and "principal payment on long-term debt" 148,622. Commercial and Industrial "sale of tangible capital assets" 607,542.
Budget 2026 · PDF page 45 (Recreation Facilities, accounts 1-4-1840-2030 and 1-5-1840-2000) and PDF page 49 (Commercial and Industrial, account 1-4-1920-2030)
$286,072more than budget in 2025 once amortization is left out (worked out by us)
The 2025 statements show expenses of $5,014,308 against a budget of $3,902,922. Most of that gap is amortization (the yearly wearing-out cost of buildings, roads and equipment), which the budget does not include: it is "-" in the budget column and $825,314 in the actual column. Set amortization aside and spending was $4,188,994 against $3,902,922, which is $286,072 or 7.3% more (worked out by us). Materials account for $199,289 of that.
A budget is the promise about what the year will cost. Showing the gap fairly, without counting amortization, tells residents whether the promise held.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of expenses by object, 2025: "Materials" budget 1,086,905, actual 1,286,194. "Contracted services" budget 1,222,010, actual 1,299,824. "Amortization of tangible capital assets" budget "-", actual 825,314. "Total expenses by object" budget 3,902,922, actual 5,014,308.
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 20, Schedule 4
Statement of operations, 2025: "Transportation services" budget 1,291,449, actual 1,986,495. "Transfer payments, Province of Ontario" budget 659,217, actual 743,248.
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 5, statement of operations
Note 14: "The budget established for capital investments in tangible capital assets is on a project-oriented basis, the costs of which may be carried out over one or more years and, therefore, may not be comparable with current year's actual purchase amounts."
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 16, Note 14
+10%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, East Hawkesbury collected $256K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 10% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 5 of 29 similar towns raised theirs by more.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.2M |
| 2020 | $2.2M |
| 2021 | $2.3M |
| 2022 | $2.4M |
| 2023 | $2.5M |
| 2024 | $2.7M |
| 2025 | $2.9M |
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $162 more each year.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $2,663,941 in 2024, $2,919,564 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 29 similar Ontario towns: 6.3%. East Hawkesbury ranks 6th highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
$831Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $831K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 4 of 29 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $766K.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $855K |
| 2020 | $1.1M |
| 2021 | $760K |
| 2022 | $672K |
| 2023 | $824K |
| 2024 | $766K |
| 2025 | $831K |
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $855K, 2020 $1.1M, 2021 $760K, 2022 $672K, 2023 $824K, 2024 $766K, 2025 $831K. Of the 2025 total, $224K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 8.8% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
$3,065,017Township tax levy in the 2026 budget, against $2,850,754 in 2025
The budget summary lists "Taxes - Township" of $3,065,017 for 2026, against $2,850,754 for 2025, an increase of $214,263 or 7.5% (worked out by us). We did not find a staff report or budget message in the documents we read that explains the increase. The 2026 budget also shows the policing contract rising from $482,000 to $535,000.
The levy is the part of the property tax bill that pays for the Township's own services. Residents also pay the United Counties and school boards, who set their own amounts.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Budget summary, 2026: "100 Taxes - Township" 3,065,017. "1220 Police" 535,000. Total 6,743,757.
Budget 2026 · PDF page 2, budget summary
Budget summary, 2025: "100 Taxes - Township" 2,850,754. "1220 Police" 482,000. Total 4,583,443.
Budget 2025 · PDF page 2, budget summary
Police, 2026 budget book: "Police - opp contract" 2025 actual 399,478, 2025 budget 482,000, 2026 budget 535,000.
Budget 2026 · PDF page 12, account 1-5-1220-4000
$830,657taxes receivable at December 31, 2025 (2024: $766,163)
At the end of 2025 the Township was owed $830,657 in taxes, up from $766,163 a year earlier, a rise of $64,494 (8.4%, worked out by us). The Township collected $6,253,867 in taxes in total for 2025, so the unpaid amount is about 13% of that (worked out by us). The budget book shows $60,147 collected in penalties on tax arrears in 2025.
Unpaid taxes are money the Township has counted as income but does not yet hold.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position, December 31, 2025: "Taxes receivable" 830,657 (2024: 766,163).
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 6, statement of financial position
Statement of operations, 2025: "Taxation - all classes" 6,253,867.
Financial statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 5, statement of operations
Penalties and interest on taxes, 2026 budget book: "Penalties on tax arrears" 2025 actual 60,147, 2025 budget 70,000.
Budget 2026 · PDF page 53, account 1-4-3200-3210
$90,092.62total council pay and mileage allowance for 2024, the newest statement posted
The Municipal Act says the treasurer must give council a statement of pay and expenses paid in the previous year by March 31. The Township's page says so itself. On October 7, 2026 the newest statement on the page was for 2024. Also, the statements for 2023 and 2024 show a "Mileage Allowance" column of the same round amounts ($720.00 for most members and $1440.00 for one) rather than amounts that differ with travel.
Residents can only compare what council costs from year to year if the statement appears each year, and a column named for mileage should say whether it is a flat allowance or actual travel.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Pursuant to Section 284 (1) of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, as amended, the Treasurer of a municipality shall in each year on or before March 31 provide to the Council of the municipality an itemized statement on remuneration and expenses paid in the previous year." The first statement shown is "STATEMENT OF REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES PAID IN 2024", with a total of $90092.62.
Remuneration and expenses (Township web page) · page text, statement for 2024
Statement for 2023: "Mileage Allowance" total $4320.00, and a total of $90590.19. Statement for 2024: "Mileage Allowance" total $4320.00.
Remuneration and expenses (Township web page) · page text, statements for 2023 and 2024
Statement of remuneration and expenses paid in 2024, "Mileage Allowance" column: Robert Kirby $1440.00; Jacques Tranchemontagne, Monique Desjardins, Stéphanie Sabourin and Karina Sauvé $720.00 each. The 2023 statement shows the same amounts for the same members.
Remuneration and expenses (Township web page) · page text, statements for 2024 and 2023, Mileage Allowance column
$300cheque required with a formal complaint, as printed on the Township's page
The Township's Integrity Commissioner page says a complaint about a member of council must be sent in a sealed envelope with an original form and "Cheque for $300" made payable to the Township. We did not find any Integrity Commissioner report posted on the Township's pages, and we did not check what the Township's by-law says about whether the fee is refunded.
The Integrity Commissioner exists so that residents can ask whether a member of council followed the code. A fee at the start can make some people less likely to use it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"A complaint must be submitted on the established Formal Complaint Form." The list of what must be included ends with "e. Cheque for $300 made payable to “The Corporation of the Township of East Hawkesbury”."
Integrity Commissioner (Township web page) · page text, "How to Make a Complaint?"
$437per home on snow ploughing, 2025
East Hawkesbury spent about $437 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $159. Only 1 of 29 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for East Hawkesbury? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: East Hawkesbury $437; typical similar town $159; ranked 2nd highest of 30.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy