Overtime, project costs driving Ottawa police's $21.6M deficit for 2026

What this means for your job search: Expect fewer or frozen tech roles specifically within the Ottawa Police Service as they manage their projected deficit. Candidates should broaden their search beyond this specific agency, focusing on private sector opportunities or other government departments not facing similar budget constraints. A quarterly financial report presented to the Ottawa Police Service's finance board on Friday is forecasting a $21.6-million deficit as rising overtime, staffing and other costs continue to put pressure on the force's budget.