Dear Neighbour,

We have reached the milestone of nearly 60% of eligible Hamiltonians being vaccinated with their first dose through the collective efforts of Hamilton Public Health and our health and community partners across the City. However, we must remain vigilant during this critical stage by booking your vaccine appointment, maintaining your physical distance, and wearing a mask when you are not able. The provincial reopening plan has us moving into a three step framework at 21-day intervals throughout late Spring and Summer. Read up on it so you are familiar with what is permitted when.

I also wanted to give a shout to our local paramedics during National Paramedic Services Week. From administering homebound vaccinations, to triaging emergencies, to supporting community safety, Hamilton Paramedics Services have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic.

This week also marked the launch of the first ever Hamilton Newcomer Week. This event is facilitated by HIPC and hosts more than 20 community partners offering 30+ virtual events that celebrate our newcomer populations and promote diversity, learning, and sharing. Learn more about their events here.

Reminder that all Ward 3 Splash Pads are open, with the exception of Myrtle Park, which is expected to open after repairs are completed. You can view status updates on splash pads here. Residents are reminded to keep a safe distance from those who are not members of their own household.

Yours in community,

Nrinder Nann
Ward 3 Councillor

A New Name for a Lasting Legacy

From the history of a vibrant community which was demolished to make way for heavy industry to the future of transforming industrial land into desperately needed green space for communities to thrive.

What is special about naming the stadium precinct park, Brightside Park, is that we are honouring Hamilton’s historic working class, immigrant neighbourhood.

In his letter to Committee, John Michaluk said “When we think of Brightside we think of optimism, respect, community, families, and children.”

I know that this park and the thought of it, especially during this pandemic, raises spirits, brings hope and optimism, and reinforces the belief that our communities adjacent to the Industrial North end deserve being invested in.

During design consultation meetings in 2019 many residents expressed how much they look forward to being in the park with their families, children and neighbours. Residents have felt heard in the process and are eager to gather there when it is constructed.

And in speaking with Brightsiders over the years, receiving their delegations at the Naming Facilities Sub Committee this week, it is clear just how powerful and meaningful it is to have their beloved neighbourhood commemorated in this way.

I can’t think of a better name for a park, nor a better way to commemorate the legacy of our Brightsiders and the culture and character of Hamilton that they represent.

You can learn more about the Brightside Neighbourhood by clicking here. For updated information on the future Brightside Park, click here.

Vaccination Update

Last weekend, the Province announced that youth ages 12 years and older are eligible to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 and over.

Hamilton Public Health continues to work with local school boards, McMaster Children’s Hospital and Primary Care partners for the youth vaccine roll out, including setting up specialized family-friendly vaccination clinics. The family-friendly vaccination clinics will be available during June 14th – 21st for first doses and August 9th – 16th for second doses.

Indigenous Youth Vaccine Pop-Up - Beginning on May 27, our Indigenous partners will begin vaccinating populations 12 years and older within their regular mobile pop-up clinic model.

The easiest and fastest way to book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment is through the provincial online booking portal found here or by calling the Provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488.

You can also call Hamilton Public Health COVID Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to register if you do not have internet access and/or a green health card.

Apartment Building Vaccine Awareness Campaign

If you live in an apartment building in Ward 3 and want to help safely get the word out to your neighbours about how to get vaccinated, fill out this form so we can work together to make our communities safer.

In Hamilton, over 58% of eligible residents are vaccinated. We need every effort to see those numbers continue to grow. And with recent outbreaks in apartment buildings, we must ensure our neighbours who live in apartment buildings know how to book vaccines.

The Ward 3 office is ready to work with tenants and property management companies to ensure accurate information reaches our neighbours. We have already had good response from residents and from several larger management companies enabling us to reach hundreds of neighbours.

Depave Barton
Depaving and greening offer practicality through storm water mitigation, naturalization, pollinator friendliness and of course, beauty for the residents who live, work and visit the area.

Until it is safe to have volunteers on site, engagement in this depave project will be remote and virtual (with some planning for future events—fingers crossed!).

Greenventure will be depaving two city boulevards on Barton St E in partnership with the Barton Village BIA and Amaprop Canada Inc. Between the two sites, they will be:

Removing 2087 sq ft. of impermeable asphalt and concrete
Adding 45 trees and shrubs
Adding 240 perennials
Adding 2 types of permeable hardscaping

Visit the website for current and future depave volunteer opportunities and events as they come up. They are already inviting anyone interested in joining garden stewardship teams for these sites to apply online!

City of Hamilton Arts Awards
The 2021 Arts Award recipients will be announced and profiled in a series of online podcast-style episodes fromThursday, June 3 to Saturday, June 12, 2021. Congratulations to Ward 3 nominees: Stephanie Hope Lawlor, Andrew O’Connor, Hamilton Aerial Group, James (Jim) Ruxton, and Yuman Hester.

You can tune in at Arts Awards Facebook Page and City of Hamilton’s Youtube Channel.

June 10th - 85 Holton Ave. Redevelopment Virtual Town Hall
UPRC (United Property Resource Corp) will host a virtual community town hall on Thursday, June 10, 2021 for the repurposing of 85 Holton Ave S into mixed income housing.

They will present three design considerations as discussed at Planning Committee, including scenarios for integrating adaptive reuse.

If you are interested in attending, you can indicate by visiting their website. At this meeting UPRC will share their development proposals for feedback.

Approximately 6000 flyers have been distributed to adjacent neighbours of the site. (I received one today).

There will be two town halls on the same date – 12:00pm to 1:30pm and 6pm-7:30pm.

Should you have any questions, please email info@85holtonave.com and include “85 Holton Ave S” in the subject line. If you do not have internet access or are unable to participate virtually, please contact Katie at 604-731-9053 ext 100 for information on how to participate via phone by June 9, 2021.

June 24th - Hamilton Urban Core Health Centre Virtual Community Meeting
Hamilton Urban Core (HUC) is hosting their next community meeting on Thursday, June 24th at 6:30pm. Link to their website to access the zoom meeting that evening. Should you have any questions, please email or call HUC directly at connections@hucchc.com.

HUC has also updated a section on their website with the information from the last community meeting held on March 26th, 2021. Please click on the links below for specific information:

Hamilton’s Monarch Awards - deadline June 20th
The Monarch Awards recognizes gardens and gardeners for their contribution to a biodiverse, sustainable environment. The awards are a standard of excellence for gardeners making a difference for pollinators and biodiversity. An award-winning garden is more than just beautiful plants - it is an ecosystem. Deadline is June 20th - check out www.monarchawardshamilton.org for information.

Our Ward 3 News for May 27th