new covid-19 restrictions, Budget Deliberations and Updates
Dear Neighbours,
With positive case rates continuing to rise, the Province in consultation with our Medical Officer of Health have designated Hamilton to the “red zone” within the COVID-19 Opening Framework. Please see the links in the Public Health section of this post for more details on what this means for you and your family.
I want to thank those in our community whom continue to do your part to limit the spread. I acknowledge that this has meant making sacrifices for many. Yet, it can’t be emphasized enough to keep your physical distance, wear a mask and to wash your hands regularly. Doing these things helps to keep our community safe. Let’s stay vigilant and continue to get through this together.
Last week, Council approved publicly disclosing the names of businesses charged with not complying with pandemic laws. Most businesses are following COVID-19 protocols to keep their customers and employees safe, but for the concerning few that seem to not care, residents deserve to know in order to make safe choices about where to spend their money. Staff are compiling the list and we will share the link in our next e-newsletter.
The City’s 2021 Budget cycle is officially launched and Council will continue to meet throughout the winter to finalize the Capital, Operating and Rate Budgets. I’ll provide updates and information in my weekly Coffee with your Councillor sessions on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesdays at 9:30am. More info below.
Please stay connected and stay safe.
Yours in Community,
Nrinder Nann,
Ward 3 City Councillor
The City’s annual budgeting process
Budgets are not just about balancing books, they are also powerful policy tools that speak to what outcomes governments are committed to achieving and what priorities to invest in.
The 2021 City Budget process began on October 29th with an economic overview from Scotia Bank economist, Marc Desormeaux. He stated the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people, industries and sectors economically. Though the housing market may be booming, it has resulted in a serious housing affordability crisis. And while some corporations are seeing record profits, income inequality has widened leaving lower-wage earners most impacted, more women jobless than men, and youth facing the potential of a generational impact on their prospects in the labour market.
He cautioned that economic recovery will require both short-term actions to reduce the negative impact and long-term investment in order to maintain the health of our economy. Policy interventions like universal access to basic income, childcare, transit and housing will play a key role in stimulating growth and enabling workers to stay in the labour market. I will continue to urge my colleagues to advocate for the need for these policy interventions from both the provincial and federal governments in order to improve the prospects of our residents.
Back to the budget, staff outlined the current financial picture the city faces to meet the impacts of the pandemic and what it will take to maintain our current levels of services and infrastructure. The current projection to maintain what the City currently provides would require a property tax rate of roughly 4%. Reminder, this is a projection and the starting place for Council’s budget deliberations. We know residents are struggling right now, and over the coming months we will have to get clear about what is worth investing in for 2021.
This week Council approved maintaining a 0.5% capital infrastructure investment rate. Our current infrastructure deficit is over $3 billion and falling behind more than $200 million a year. This investment is key because it makes more financial sense to invest in repairs and preventative maintenance than the costly reality of attending to an issue when infrastructure fails, which always costs far more.
At the same meeting, Council voted against a 0% rate in favour of a 2% increase for all agencies and boards including Libraries, Conservation Authorities, Royal Botanical Gardens and the Police. I voted against this blanket rate because I believe we need to view each board for the services they offer and the outcomes they bring to our City. Historically, our libraries are always asked to do more with less while HPS comes in over the set rate and absorbs their unspent surpluses, disabling the City from applying those savings to other essential services. And, given we are still navigating a pandemic, I believe we need to consider all budgets with a lens to health. If our conservation authority areas provided critical mental and physical health outlets for many residents during the pandemic, then we need to value people’s access to nature. Our libraries made quick pivots to increase digital programming and remote access to support literacy city-wide. They provided a safe distanced refuge when they reopened supporting many families and individuals. I look forward to assessing the budgets each board brings forward.
Get involved:
I look forward to hearing from you on the budget and to encourage you to engage and learn more.
Join me weekly on Instagram or Facebook for Coffee with your Councillor where I will continue to give budget updates.
Learn more about the City’s budgeting process and view a full list of budget meeting dates here.
Consider delegating by writing or presenting to Council on Public Delegation day, February 8th 2021 by emailing Clerk@Hamilton.ca
Community Safety Meeting Series
Our First Community Safety & Wellbeing Meeting on Vision Zero & Complete Streets provided clarity on current plans and future works for roadway safety in our Ward 3. To view the recording and read through the resources, please visit my website here.
Our next Community Safety Meeting on Emergency Services & Public Health takes place at 6:30pm on November 26th. To register, click here.
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan
What does community safety look like to you?
From now until November 27th, residents are encouraged to share their perspectives on community safety and well being. This will give the City the best possible chance of finding creative, meaningful and appropriate solutions to complex issues we face.
Please participate in this important step to build a City where we all feel a sense of belonging by visiting Engage Hamilton’s website.
Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre is recruiting board members
Community leaders are encouraged to apply to join the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre’s (HARRC) inaugural board of directors. Potential candidates will be recommended to the Hamilton City Council for final approval.
The role of the HARRC’s board of directors is to guide and provide oversight to the vision, mandate and business operations of the Centre. If you live or work in Hamilton and are a passionate community leader, please consider applying for this opportunity.
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter articulating why you are interested in this role to empowerstrategygroup2@gmail.com. Recruitment closes on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 5 p.m.
PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES
New Restrictions in place for The City of Hamilton
The new restrictions associated with the “control” or Red Category take effect today. The objective of this category is to implement broader-scale measures and restrictions, across multiple sectors, to control transmission.
Please follow this link to read more information about restrictions and monitor the City of Hamilton’s website:
hamilton.ca/recreation
hamilton.ca/coronavirus
hamilton.ca/reopens
Catch-up vaccination clinics now available for current Grade 7 and 8 students
Beginning this week, Hamilton Public Health Services is offering catch-up vaccine clinics for current Grade 8 students (born in 2007) who missed their Grade 7 vaccines due to COVID-19 school closures in the spring. These clinics will also offer vaccines to current Grade 7 students (born in 2008) who are currently due for their scheduled vaccines. Each school will be assigned a specific date and time for their clinic.
For more information on Grade 7 and 8 catch-up vaccine clinics and schedule for each school, click here.