Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you Read by hand. We read Gananoque's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.
Questions · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Gananoque's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 21 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking
Worth asking
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
October 21, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements
Audited statements are the Town's yearbook: an outside accountant checks them and signs a report. The auditor's report on the 2023 statements is dated February 28, 2025, and the report on the 2024 statements is dated October 21, 2025. By our count that is about 14 months and almost 10 months after each year ended (worked out by us). The finance page we read on October 7, 2026 lists statements up to 2024 and none for 2025. Both opinions are clean.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$12.9 milliondebenture the Mayor says will triple the Town's debt
A debenture is a long-term loan. In a directive dated August 21, 2026, the Mayor says a recently approved $12.9 million debenture will triple the Town's debt, with a yearly cost of $864 000 that needs roughly a 7.5% property tax increase to cover. The Mayor adds that Council has also approved $4.1 million of in-year capital changes. The audited 2024 statements show long-term liabilities of $5,087,163 at the end of 2024, and a further $1,300,000 debenture taken on after year end for marina docks.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Since May 1, 2025 the Town's Mayor has strong-mayor powers, which include proposing the budget. The Town posts the Mayor's directives. The August 21, 2026 directive asks staff to compare policing options (a regional force, OPP contract, or the current service), look at regional fire service, build market-rate marina slip fees into the 2027 budget, and show the effect of selling the Williams Street and Pine Street parking lots. The Town's page also says Council passed Motion #26-138 overriding a Mayor's veto dated July 30, 2026. The veto document is a scanned image, so we did not read it. We did not find 2027 budget meeting dates.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,083,586casino commission revenue in 2023, the last year posted
The Town posts yearly casino commission revenue. It was $1,776,270 in 2016, $1,434,896 in 2019, $258,786 in 2020, $1,070,652 in 2022 and $1,083,586 in 2023. The 2023 figure is $692,684 below 2016 (worked out by us). The list we read stops at 2023. The August 2026 directive says the community grant budget should reflect 5% of anticipated OLG revenues.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
In 2024, Gananoque collected $846K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 4 of 21 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 7% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 0.9%.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 4 sources
Gananoque spent $1.9M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 21 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$8,678,548capital spending in 2024, against a budget of $18,811,480
Capital spending means building or replacing things like roads and pipes. The 2024 budget planned $18,811,480 of it. The statements show $8,678,548 was spent. The surplus was $10,948,403 against a budgeted $6,241,598. The Town explains in Note 18 that its budget is set on a cash basis and differs from the statements.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$492,929taxes receivable past due at the end of 2024
Taxes receivable is tax the Town has billed but not collected. At December 31, 2024 the gross amount was $1,049,591, of which $556,662 was current and $492,929 was past due. The Town set aside an allowance of $(216,800) for amounts it may not collect. Past due is about 47% of gross (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
The statements say the Town has identified a potential liability for two contaminated sites, a former landfill and an industrial property with environmental issues. Neither has an estimate, and the Town says a liability will be recorded if needed once a future use is known. The statements also say the amount of any possible legal claims cannot be determined.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
The Integrity Commissioner's public report on a complaint against Mayor John Beddows is dated May 16, 2025. It says some allegations were dismissed and that others were found to breach the Code of Conduct. It recommends suspending the Mayor's pay for a total of 80 days. We did not find in the documents we read what Council decided.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
October 21, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements
Audited statements are the Town's yearbook: an outside accountant checks them and signs a report. The auditor's report on the 2023 statements is dated February 28, 2025, and the report on the 2024 statements is dated October 21, 2025. By our count that is about 14 months and almost 10 months after each year ended (worked out by us). The finance page we read on October 7, 2026 lists statements up to 2024 and none for 2025. Both opinions are clean.
Why it matters
Residents and candidates use the statements to judge how the Town is doing. With an election on October 26, 2026, the most recent audited year voters can read is 2024.
It could be because…
The Town adopted new accounting rules in 2023 and 2024, which can add audit work.
The 2025 statements may be finished and simply not posted yet.
Audit timing can depend on the auditor's schedule.
Questions you could ask
When will the 2025 audited statements be finished and posted?
What caused the dates of the 2023 and 2024 audit reports?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The auditor's report on the 2024 statements says the statements "present fairly, in all material respects" the financial position, and is dated October 21, 2025.
$12.9 milliondebenture the Mayor says will triple the Town's debt
A debenture is a long-term loan. In a directive dated August 21, 2026, the Mayor says a recently approved $12.9 million debenture will triple the Town's debt, with a yearly cost of $864 000 that needs roughly a 7.5% property tax increase to cover. The Mayor adds that Council has also approved $4.1 million of in-year capital changes. The audited 2024 statements show long-term liabilities of $5,087,163 at the end of 2024, and a further $1,300,000 debenture taken on after year end for marina docks.
Why it matters
Debt payments come out of the same tax bill as everything else. The Mayor's own words say the 2027 budget will be under heavy pressure.
It could be because…
Two provincial infrastructure grants the Mayor mentions may have cut how much the Town needed to borrow.
The loan may fund water and other projects the Town must do anyway.
Questions you could ask
Which projects does the $12.9 million fund, over what term and at what rate?
Will the Town publish the planned yearly payments and the tax effect before the 2027 budget vote?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The directive says: "the tripling of the Corporation's debt via the recently approved $12.9 million debenture that will add $11.4 million in interest costs", and that the "$864 000 per year debt servicing cost for this debenture will require roughly the equivalent of a 7.5% property tax increase". It also refers to "$4.1 million of in-year budget deviations for capital projects".
Note 8: long-term liabilities owed to Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation were $5,087,163 in 2024 (2023: $5,450,120). Note 20: after year end the Town assumed a debenture of $1,300,000 for the marina floating docks and shoreline, at 3.81%.
Since May 1, 2025 the Town's Mayor has strong-mayor powers, which include proposing the budget. The Town posts the Mayor's directives. The August 21, 2026 directive asks staff to compare policing options (a regional force, OPP contract, or the current service), look at regional fire service, build market-rate marina slip fees into the 2027 budget, and show the effect of selling the Williams Street and Pine Street parking lots. The Town's page also says Council passed Motion #26-138 overriding a Mayor's veto dated July 30, 2026. The veto document is a scanned image, so we did not read it. We did not find 2027 budget meeting dates.
Why it matters
These choices affect services and tax bills. The directive is a direction to staff, and Council still decides.
It could be because…
The directive asks for options and costs. It does not itself decide anything.
Council can amend a Mayor's budget under the same law.
Questions you could ask
When will the 2027 budget meetings be scheduled?
Will staff reports on policing, fire and property sales be public before the budget is adopted?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The directive lists, among others: policing options including "OPP contract services" and "Retain status quo"; regional fire discussions; "municipal marina slip rental fees that reflect market rates will be built into the 2027 budget"; and "Properties for initial consideration in 2027 budget include: Williams Street parking lot, Pine Street Parking lot and water access".
"On May 1, 2025, the Province expanded Strong Mayor Powers to 169 additional municipalities, including the Town of Gananoque." The page lists Mayoral Directives from #2025-001 on July 14, 2025 to 2026-007 on August 21, 2026, and says "Council passed Motion #26-138 overriding the Mayor's Veto dated July 30, 2026."
$1,083,586casino commission revenue in 2023, the last year posted
The Town posts yearly casino commission revenue. It was $1,776,270 in 2016, $1,434,896 in 2019, $258,786 in 2020, $1,070,652 in 2022 and $1,083,586 in 2023. The 2023 figure is $692,684 below 2016 (worked out by us). The list we read stops at 2023. The August 2026 directive says the community grant budget should reflect 5% of anticipated OLG revenues.
Why it matters
Casino money is general revenue. If it is lower, something else, such as taxes, covers the gap.
It could be because…
The 2020 figure is far lower than its neighbours and may reflect a closure. We did not find the Town's explanation.
The Town may not have updated the page yet.
Questions you could ask
What were the 2024 and 2025 casino revenue totals?
How does the 2026 budget treat casino revenue compared with earlier years?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Casino Commission Revenue: 2016 Total - $1,776,270; 2019 Total - $1,434,896; 2020 Total - $ 258,786; 2022 Total - $1,070,652; 2023 Total - $1,083,586.
Item 11 of the Mayor's directive says: "Community Grant budget is to reflect 5% of anticipated OLG revenues in 2027, including funding for waterfront concerts."
In 2024, Gananoque collected $846K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 4 of 21 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 7% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 0.9%.
Why did Gananoque's property tax go up 8% in 2024?
$0$2.0M$4.0M$6.0M$8.0M$10M$12M
$10.9M
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Town property tax
2019
$8.3M
2020
$8.5M
2021
$8.9M
2022
$9.5M
2023
$10M
2024
$10.9M
Why it matters
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 $307 more each year.
It could be because…
Costs the town cannot control went up, such as policing, insurance or county charges.
The town kept taxes too low in earlier years and is catching up.
The town is rebuilding savings or paying for a big project like a bridge or equipment.
Questions you could ask
What were the three biggest reasons for the 2024 increase, in dollars?
Is a similar increase planned for next 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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Town property tax: $10,032,444 in 2023, $10,878,069 in 2024.
Gananoque spent $1.9M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 21 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 45% in 5 years?
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
+0%+10%+20%+30%+40%+50%
+45%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+5%
+1%
2021
+6%
+4%
2022
+21%
+11%
2023
+24%
+16%
2024
+45%
+18%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.
Questions you could ask
What did the extra $831K a year pay for?
Why did arena and buildings go from $828K to $1.5M?
Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$8,678,548capital spending in 2024, against a budget of $18,811,480
Capital spending means building or replacing things like roads and pipes. The 2024 budget planned $18,811,480 of it. The statements show $8,678,548 was spent. The surplus was $10,948,403 against a budgeted $6,241,598. The Town explains in Note 18 that its budget is set on a cash basis and differs from the statements.
Why it matters
A big gap between plan and result can mean projects slipped, and the Mayor says $70 000 000 of spending sits in the 10-year capital plan.
It could be because…
Projects can run across years, so unspent money moves to the next one.
Grant timing can swing a surplus in a single year.
The Town says the budget and statements use different methods.
Questions you could ask
How much of the unspent 2024 capital money was carried to later years?
Does the Town publish a list of capital projects budgeted against completed 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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 18, budget against actual: Total revenues $ 26,372,321 and $ 30,145,141; Annual surplus 6,241,598 and 10,948,403; Capital expenses (18,811,480) and (8,678,548). The note says the approved budget "was prepared on a cash based approach".
$492,929taxes receivable past due at the end of 2024
Taxes receivable is tax the Town has billed but not collected. At December 31, 2024 the gross amount was $1,049,591, of which $556,662 was current and $492,929 was past due. The Town set aside an allowance of $(216,800) for amounts it may not collect. Past due is about 47% of gross (worked out by us).
Why it matters
Unpaid taxes still have to be covered by someone, and rising arrears can signal hardship in town.
It could be because…
Instalment dates and year-end timing often leave some tax outstanding.
The Town allowed for $216,800 of it as possibly uncollectable.
Questions you could ask
How do the past-due amount and the allowance compare with 2023 and 2025?
How does the Town collect overdue taxes?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The statements say the Town has identified a potential liability for two contaminated sites, a former landfill and an industrial property with environmental issues. Neither has an estimate, and the Town says a liability will be recorded if needed once a future use is known. The statements also say the amount of any possible legal claims cannot be determined.
Why it matters
A cleanup bill that has not been estimated is not in the numbers residents see.
It could be because…
Accounting rules only require a liability once the Town knows what it will do with the sites.
The Town says it has completed environmental assessments on the industrial site.
Questions you could ask
Has the Town published its environmental assessment of the industrial site?
Is any money set aside in reserves for cleanup?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 13: "An estimate of the liability for the contaminated sites could not be reasonably estimated." Note 12: "the amount of any potential liability is not determinable".
The Integrity Commissioner's public report on a complaint against Mayor John Beddows is dated May 16, 2025. It says some allegations were dismissed and that others were found to breach the Code of Conduct. It recommends suspending the Mayor's pay for a total of 80 days. We did not find in the documents we read what Council decided.
Why it matters
Council alone decides whether to adopt recommended penalties, so residents may want to know the outcome.
It could be because…
Council may have dealt with the report in a meeting whose minutes we did not read.
Questions you could ask
What did Council vote on the Integrity Commissioner's recommendations, and where are the minutes?
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 Gananoque?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The report says "Our total recommended suspension of pay is 80 days."
Can we count your visit? With your OK, we use Google Analytics to see which pages help people. It sets cookies and sends visit data to Google. Nothing loads unless you say yes. Privacy