Dear Neighbour,

Where has the month of April gone? Phew.

Thank you to everyone who continues to participate virtually and engage when and where you can on important decisions and topics our city faces through this pandemic.

Many of you joined us last Thursday for the Victoria Cycle Track input session, are filling out preferences for play structure features at Hayward, Dofasco and Keith Parks, and have signed up to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.

Over 250 responded to the Ward 3 Odour Survey and we have shared some initial findings with Clean Air Hamilton. However, with such an overwhelming response rate, it will take us a bit more time to report back to the community later this spring.

Reminder that City Hall remains closed during the stay-at-home order, which is in effect until at least May 22nd. My virtual office remains open to serve you.

Below are key updates on Council decisions on sidewalk snow removal, renovictions, and some opportunities to engage.

Yours in Community,

Nrinder Nann,
Ward 3 City Councillor

VACCINATION UPDATE
55+ City Wide - In alignment with the provincial direction, effective Friday, April 30th, those 55 years of age and older are eligible city-wide to book a vaccination appointment here.

Hot Spot Communities - Hot spot eligibility for those in L8L, L8N, L8W, L9C, L9K continues to include residents who are 40+, or Black or racialized and 18+. Ward 3 residents who live in L8L and L8N, can call 905-974-9848, option 7 to book.

Black and other Racialized residents appointments have been extended - May 3rd to 7th from 10am to 12pm and from 1pm to 3pm at Restoration House (54 Vine Street) and the mass vaccination clinic at FirstOntario Centre restarting on May 4th.
Restoration House. Call the hotline to book.

Community Collaboration & Priority Groups
Our Public Health Services Division and the Vaccine Readiness Network have been working tirelessly, meeting twice a day, towards our vaccine rollout.

This table is made up of various health and community partners to help respond to the realities in Hamilton, including addressing where we are seeing the highest cases in neighbourhoods and the fact that Black and Racialized neighbours are 2.5 times more likely to contract, be hospitalized or die of Covid-19.

Much like our unwavering commitment to vaccinate seniors, grandparents and parents in long term care and retirement homes, when stark and clear data informed us of the higher risk for our senior population, we are systematically making our way through each category of Phase 2 priority groups. for vaccination based in sound public health policy.

Vaccine eligibility and information is evolving, for more information visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines

Customer Services & Booking Your Vaccine Appointment
I understand the frustration people are experiencing when calling the hotline and it seems constantly busy, closed or appears to be malfunctioning. The call volume is incredibly high as we navigate this unprecedented vaccination campaign. The provincial online booking system still does not recognize all of Hamilton’s hot spot communities, posing further capacity issues.

While many Hamiltonians are eager to get vaccinated and appointments tied to supply are limited right now, more are expected to be added shortly and additional staff are being trained to staff the hotline.

Rest assured, everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be.

Sidewalk Snow Clearing
In February 2019, I tabled a motion to examine different scenarios to expand sidewalk snow clearing across the City to be considered in the 2020 budget process.

Staff prepared costing and scenarios but needed to better understand the needs of our residents for winter maintenance on sidewalks. Through consultation and a survey completed by thousands of Hamiltonians, it was clearly demonstrated that those whom are most negatively impacted are seniors, people with mobility challenges, parents with strollers (predominantly moms), and those without access to personal vehicles and whom rely on transit.

This results in people being isolated and shut-in over winter months, injuries due to slips and falls, people unable to access transit, and others having no other option but to risk their personal safety by going onto road ways due to inconsistent and dangerous state of sidewalks in the winter.

Public service and taxation is not simply transactional, rather informed decisions that value our residents and enable our cities to be places where our neighbours can move with access, be safe and thrive year round.

At Public Works Committee last week, I tabled a compromise solution that would deliver more safety and increased access to transit in the winter months by providing snow clearing on Priority 1 and 2A roads and all bus routes. It was defeated.

However, on Wednesday, Councillor Wilson lifted the motion at Council for a final debate. It passed. The program will start in the fall of 2022. Staff will report back with an implementation plan and more details later this year.

I want to thank all the residents, neighbours, local businesses, the Disability Justice Network of Ontario and other organizations who shared their experiences traversing sidewalks in the winter, participated in the #snowandtell social media campaign, delegated, and filled out surveys. Your direct engagement led to this important service enhancement.

Renovictions & Tenant Defense Fund
Twice this week, the dangerous process of renoviction has made headlines in local news. Tenants from across the city delegated to share their personal experiences of being renovicted and the increasing impacts of predatory practices of some landlords forcing neighbours to be priced out of their beloved communities.

I moved for a comprehensive renovictions strategy that protects tenant rights, helps maintain affordable housing stock, and identifies a path forward for a licensing and bylaw regime to enable the City to hold landlords accountable, not unlike the program the City of New Westminster has.

The comprehensive renovictions strategy direction was ratified at Wednesday’s Council meeting along with an expanded Tenant Defence Fund program, which includes support for residents facing displacement by renoviction, as recommended by staff. If you have questions about the Tenant Defence Fund Pilot Program or would like to apply to the Program, please contact: Janet Surmanski, Tenant Relations Officer 905-546-2424 ext. 3941or by email: Janet.Surmanski@hamilton.ca

Engage Hamilton
A reminder that until May 5th, residents can complete a survey to share feedback on new amenities and features in Dofasco, Keith & Hayward Parks.

Register here to participate and search by park name.

For more information, please email staff at PlayYourWay@Hamilton.ca

A limited number of physical surveys are currently being distributed, and should be mailed in (postage paid) by May 19th 2021. If you live near one of the parks listed above, and did not receive one, email Ward3@Hamilton.ca.

Backyard Trees Success
The Ward 3 Backyard tree program has been a tremendous success! We have allocated nearly 250 trees which will increase our urban tree canopy, help with cleaner air, provide shade and a habitat for many species sharing our ecosystem.

Due to the stay-at-home order, Forestry staff have had to pivot and are finalizing delivery plans. If you ordered a tree, rest assured you will receive a confirmation email and your tree will be delivered along with planting instructions, before the end of June.

Studies on 2SLGBTQ+ Experiences while accessing Healthcare
The Hamilton Health Team is collecting feedback from 2SLGBTQ+ people in Hamilton about their experiences while accessing healthcare.

The survey aims to build off the Mapping the Void project and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Please encourage all the 2SLGBTQ+ neighbours you know to complete the survey, ASAP. Direct link available here.

Anti-Hate Community Summit: May 19-20, 2021
The City invites you to Listen Learn Act: An Anti-Hate Community Summit. This two-day free virtual gathering is for community members who want to take an active role in anti-racism and anti-oppression work and to help define the collective actions necessary to build an inclusive Hamilton where everyone is free from all forms of hate. Learn more and to register here.

Take a Walk to the Birch Ave. Greenspace
If you are looking for a new place to admire spring beauty while our trips outside the home are limited, check out the lovely Birch avenue greenspace, north of Barton and Birch. The spring bulbs are in full bloom, the murals are lovely and the path is accessible.

Cannon Street Little Free Library
The Cannon Street Little Free Library got a well-deserved shoutout in this week’s Hamilton Spectator, check it out!

Our Ward 3 News for April 30th