Bill 109, Delta Intersection Review, Neighbourhood Cleanups & more
Dear Neighbour,
This newsletter, I want to call you into action!
• Volunteer and support local neighbourhoood initiatives to clean up our sidewalks, alleys, parks and more.
• Join us on April 14th to provide your input on the future of the industrial employment lands in Ward 3.
• Host an Easter Drive for Mission Services, to gather supplies for our neighbours in need.
• Take direct action on Bill 109’s unnecessary and unfair overreach into city building.
And while we enter a weekend full of community celebrations for Vaisakhi, Passover, Easter, Ramadan, and egg hunts, I want to encourage everyone to remain safe, stick to masking indoors and get boosted with all the doses you are eligible for as soon as possible.
And as usual, I’m also providing you with a few updates from Council and Committee.
If you have any questions or for further inquiry, please email my office at ward3@hamilton.ca.
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
A Strategic Land Acquisition Plan for LRT Corridor
At last week’s General Issues Committee, I moved to establish a strategic land acquisition plan for the City along the LRT corridor for the purpose of delivering future municipal services, including but not limited to parks, recreation, as well as, non-profit, affordable housing. Lands along the corridor are already being bought up by private developers with the goal to build higher density housing, however without any requirement, at present, to deliver affordability.
Metrolinx has and will need to continue to buy land in order to prepare for construction and deliver the final transit line. This process will lead to surplus lands emerging. In other municipalities in the GTHA, Metrolinx has surplused their lands and sold them out to private development. This motion enables Hamilton to enter into agreement with Metrolinx to purchase lands to address our local needs.
Delivering affordable housing along the LRT corridor must be a measurable outcome of this massive infrastructure investment. There are several levers the municipality can act on to ensure it happens. Through this motion, I’d like to see the City work directly with the Hamilton is Home coalition to identify specific sites along the corridor and set a target number of units to deliver deeply affordable homes that help complete our neighbourhoods. This is something that the private development industry cannot deliver through increasing market supply, even with inclusionary zoning requirements. So we must be deliberate and intentional. This motion enables the City to work collaboratively with local, provincial and federal partners to maximize the number of affordable units tied to good transit.
This direction was ratified at Council yesterday.
Bill 109 – Public Engagement Encouraged Before April 29, 2022
A Special Council Meeting was held last Friday, April 8 at which Planning Staff provided Council members with an overview of the province’s new Bill 109 More Homes for Everyone Plan 2022. Staff did an excellent job providing a summary and recommendations in their report and presentation.
Bill 109 is an unnecessary and unfair overreach into municipal planning processes and puts unrealistic timelines for application review. Should cities fail to provide approvals on a plan within 90 days, we would be required to refund the fee submitted. And, in order to meet this arbitrary timeframe, cities would need to hire more planning staff and run the risk of costing tax payers more. Currently, growth pays for growth. Instead, should this Bill achieve Royal assent, it would only further entrench regressive tax policies.
The developer industry has been very effective in lobbying the provincial government on land use and housing policies. Subsequently, the narrative we are told is that in order to address housing affordability it is simply a supply issue — we must build more houses, units and buildings.
However, within every municipality that has its own planning division, there remain hundreds of thousands of unbuilt, pre-approved housing units in the hopper. Some developers, instead of developing those lands, are sitting on properties in order to let the land value increase, so they can justify increased cost and maximize extreme profit on each unit. They have convinced the provincial government that this is the only way to address housing needs when all it does is enable land massing for extreme profit making homes less affordable.
In Bill 109, there is nothing that speaks to the need for deep affordable housing, or the need for wraparound supports that are needed to ensure residents stay housed, and it is completely dislodged from health. We need a deep investment from the provinces and federal government around both financing the health supports and flowing the funds from the National Housing Strategy in order to build more affordable units. Failing this, we will never see homes for everyone.
I am not optimistic the province will change course with this systemic and policy attack on local decision making and city building – they are on a steam roll path. However, there is a lot of public interest and engagement on this Bill. Which is fantastic. Residents are concerned about this Bill impairing affordability, leading to unsafe conditions, having a negative impact on the environment and doing nothing to address increasing rates of homelessness across the province. I agree other cities will be advocating consistently, as we will Hamilton, on the municipal concerns; especially that these changes will lead to further tax burden on residents, versus having growth pay for growth.
The Province has posted Bill 109 and associated documents on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry and is accepting public input on all schedule changes until April 29, 2022. Residents are encouraged to share their comments on the Regulatory Registry, and on the ERO before April 29.
Delta Intersection In-Service Road Safety Review Approved
Three pedestrians passed away and another pedestrian was injured as a result of the horrific crash that took place on March 19th near the Delta intersection. One of the workers killed was described by colleagues as a kind man and dedicated worker. I understand he was intending to be in the Philippines this month for his son’s wedding. No loss of life is acceptable.
Ward 3 residents have expressed concern about this intersection as pedestrians for a number of years. It was also flagged in the Ward 3 Complete Streets Review public input process. And since this horrific crash occurred, residents have expressed hesitancy about using it.
Through a Vision Zero approach, it is understood that traffic fatalities and injuries are preventable. That is why I moved to have staff conduct an in-service road safety review and to identify a proposed implementation plan to enhance safety in this intersection. The findings will also be shared with the LRT office for consideration of the proposed safety enhancements to be incorporated into the redesign of the intersection.
The sooner our residents can feel secure with the studies and implemented solutions, the more likely they will be to enjoy their roadways as pedestrians.
This motion was ratified by Council and is about ensuring safety and quality of life in our city that should not be delayed. My office will provide further updates as the review progresses.
The City of Hamilton is seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 transmission, as well as increases in number of cases, individuals tested, and percent positivity. The rate of hospital admissions has recently stabilized, however the number continues to be higher than pre-Omicron levels. The most recent wastewater signal is fluctuating and remains heightened.
This resurgence is consistent with the predictions of the impact of lifting mandated public health measures, and with the increasing frequency of the BA.2 sub-variant.
The best way to protect yourself and others is to remain vigilant and get boosted. It is still recommended to wear well-fitting mask indoors, especially if it’s crowded, and to get vaccinated with all the doses you are eligible for as soon as possible.
As of April 7, 2022, fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available for those age 60 and older and First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over, 5 months (140 days) after their previous booster dose. Fourth doses are available by appointment only.
Vaccine Clinics in Ward 3
Please see below for clinic opportunities across Ward 3. For a full list of clinics across the City, please see here: https://www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine
WALK-IN CLINICS (No Appointment Required)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
(operated by Refuge Newcomer Health, DJNO, HCCI + partners).
Saturday, Apr 16 - 12pm to 3pm
No appt or health card required, interpretation, transportation + more supports available - email covidvaccine@newcomerhealth.ca or call 905-526-0000 (Ages 5+)
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church – 440 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1C6
Friday, April 1 – 12:30 to 2:30 pm
(Outdoor clinic, dress for the weather) (Ages 5+)
Mission Services - 196 Wentworth St. N.
(use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
Every Wednesday - 10 am to 12 pm
No appt or ID required, wheelchair accessible, support available in Spanish + booster shots to those eligible.
(Ages 12+)
APPOINTMENT ONLY CLINIC
De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre - 678 Main St E
Fridays (check DAHC website for all clinic dates and times)
For those age 12+, book appointment online at aboriginalhealthcentre.com/covid19info
For those age 5-11, book an appointment by emailing covid19vaccine@dahac.ca or calling 905-544-4320 Ext. 399.
PHARMACY CLINICS
There are a number of Ward 3 pharmacies participating in the vaccine clinics. Please see here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations and enter your postal code to find the pharmacy closest to you.
Bayfront Industrial Area Strategy – Phase 2 Virtual Public Information Centre – April 14
I want to draw your attention to an important piece of city planning that impacts Ward 3 neighbourhoods, workplaces, greenspaces, access to the harbour, brownfield and industrial redevelopment and more. Your input and engagement is vital to this plan integrating what we want to see for future generations in this part of our community.
The Bayfront Industrial Area is home to Canada’s largest steel cluster. This steel cluster is part of the City’s oldest and largest employment area. And this area is already being primed to transform to include new and future uses.
Through the Bayfront Industrial Area Strategy (BIAS), the City shares a 45+ year vision and action plan that seeks to encourage efficient use of land, attract growth and investment, and improve the environmental conditions and image of the City’s largest and oldest employment area.
Join us Thursday, April 14, 2022, from 6-8pm, for our virtual Bayfront Industrial Area Strategy PIC, where we will provide an overview of the project, a review of the draft strategy and action plan document, as well as the draft design guidelines.
To register in attendance, please visit here.
Please see here and here to learn more about the Bayfront Industrial Area and BIAS.
Phase 2 Victoria Cycle Track Community Consultation – April 19th
Reminder to neighbours, Phase 2 of the Victoria Cycle Track between Cannon and Stinson is slated for design and build this summer.
Join us on Tuesday, April 19 from 6:30-8:00 PM for a virtual community consultation opportunity to provide input on design of phase 2. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the project.
For more information and to register in advance, please email our office at ward3@hamilton.ca.
Amazing Race Egg-stravaganza – April 14
Neighbours are welcome to drop by during after school programming to participate in an epic Easter egg scavenger hunt on April 14 at Eva Rothwell Centre (460 Wentworth Street North). This Amazing Race Egg-stravaganza is open to ages 5 to 18, and is 50 cents to enter. There are prizes to be won, treats, and fun!
For more details and contact information, please visit their social media.
Host an Easter Drive – in support of Mission Services of Hamilton
Mission Services is asking for neighbours to collect items for other neighbours in need. Some of the most needed items include cereal, fresh carrots, fresh onions, fresh potatoes, tuna, pasta sauce, pasta, juice boxes, peanut-free snacks, personal hygiene products, hair products, new towels, craft supplies, rain ponchos, rain gear for kids, and bandages.
To get started, please email communityrelations@mission-services.com.
Digital Easter Hat Contest – April 19
ACCA is hosting a Easter Hat Contest this weekend online due the cancelling of their Easter in the Park event. Please send your photo wearing your Easter hat before the end of the day on Tuesday, April 19 for the chance to win a prize. Email to aaron@accahamilton.com or DM on ACCA’s Instagram page.
Earth Day Weekend Neighbourhood Cleanups – April 23rd
Please join me in volunteering to spread some love and help clean up our Ward 3 neighbourhoods. Beautiful Alleys, Stinson Community Association, and several neighbours not part of any formal group have taken on the charge this year.
Here are some information on locations and dates shared with my office:
Saturday, April 23 - 9am to 1pm - Beautiful Alleys
Mark your calendars to participate in this years’ Beautiful Alleys cleanups on April 23rd! You can participate by meeting up at any of the locations or start in your backyard. Meetup locations are at:
• Powell Park Clubhouse (56 Birch Ave at Barton Street)
• CN Rail (at Wellington St. & Birge St.)
• Crown Point West at Memorial School (1175 Main St E)
Gloves and cleanup supplies will be provided and COVID protocols will be in effect (masks provided). For more information email hamiltonalleys@gmail.com
Saturday, April 23 – 9am to 1pm
Rail Trail Clean Up from Wentworth to Corktown Park. (As Stinson spans Wards 3 and 2, some locations listed below are based in Ward 2.) Family friendly. Meet Wentworth and the trail. For details, please contact info@stinsoncommunity.ca, or visit their Instagram.
Saturday, April 23 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CP Rail Line cleanup. Adults only, due to safety protocols on the tracks. Meet at Wentworth and the trail. For details, please contact info@stinsoncommunity.ca, or visit their Instagram.