Fourth Dose Eligibility, Lead Pipe Replacement, Call for Local Talent, & Events in Ward 3
Dear Neighbour,
I hope you are making the most of these summer days and nights. There are so many incredible events being hosted across the ward this July. We’ve listed a few for you to consider attending!
I want to thank the dedicated team of volunteers, along with Green Venture and the Barton Village BIA that transformed the space beside Hello Baked as part of the latest #DepaveBarton project over the past two Saturdays. This project reclaims the soil, brings back a natural system of filtration for our stormwater, helps cool our urban environment, and does the beautiful thing of merging our climate actions with placemaking. Swing by next time you are on Barton Street.
The next Committee and Council meeting cycle is in August, so, in this newsletter we are focusing on updates from public health on fourth dose vaccine eligibility, City services, engagement opportunities, and events upcoming in Ward 3.
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
LRT Sub Committee
During the LRT Sub Committee meeting this Monday, we reviewed the 2019 design and moved to ensure our Hamilton interests of complete streets, Vision Zero and Climate Action help inform the final iteration. Policy updates such as the revised Truck Route Network and the conversion of main to two-way will also be key to informing the final design. We will receive a further update on this in September.
The Sub-Committee also expanded our key community stakeholder group to include the Hamilton Community Benefits Network as a non-voting advisory member to the committee along with the Chamber of Commerce, BIAs, homebuilder associations and other institutional partners.
COVID-19 Status Update
COVID-19 transmission rates in Hamilton are high and continuing to increase in BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 sub-variants. Vaccination remains the most important way to protect against COVID-19 health impacts. It is critical to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination by receiving all eligible doses. Hamilton Public Health Services strongly recommends wearing a well-fitting mask indoors, especially when it’s crowded.
Vaccination Availability
As of July 14, 2022, fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available for those aged 18 and over. Though appointments are recommended, many neighbours have been able to walk-in and get their fourth dose this past weekend.
It is strongly recommended that immunocompromised individuals 18+ and other previously eligible and high-risk individuals, receive their fourth dose of vaccine if they have not already. This includes:
• Individuals aged 60+;
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18+; and
• Residents of local long-term care homes, retirement homes, or an Elder Care Lodge and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services
Community members 18 to 59 years old with an underlying health condition(s), such as heart disease or cancer, are recommended to receive a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Most individuals aged 18 to 59 years old will continue to have strong protection against COVID-19 after more than six months after their first booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Newly eligible individuals should consider their personal circumstances and their individual risk profile when considering the timing of their fourth dose of vaccine.
It is recommended that those that are eligible and have not yet received their third dose of COVID-19 vaccine strongly consider getting their third dose.
You can book your vaccine appointment online if you:
• Have an Ontario health card (green photo health card OR red and white health card)
• Have an email address OR a cell phone that can receive SMS messages (texts)
If you do not have access to online booking, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment. Translation services are available by phone.
Vaccine Clinics
For a full list of clinics across the City, please see here: https://www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.
Additionally, residents are also encouraged to check with local pharmacies who are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Lead Service Replacement Program
The uptake for the Lead Service Replacement Program has been slow. We have more than 20,000 homes built before 1955 that may have a lead water service pipe connecting the homes to the city municipal water supply, and many of these homes are in Ward 3. Lead is toxic to humans, ongoing exposure to even small amounts of lead can be harmful to human health, especially for vulnerable communities. That’s why we wanted to bring this program to your attention so you can take advantage of it.
The Lead Service Replacement Program aims to tackle this health issue at the source by removing it. The program removes the lead water service pipe from the property line to the water main, while the water service pipe from inside the home to the property line is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace.
If you rent your home, call your landlord, superintendent or property management company to ask about the water pipes in your home or building. If you are still unsure of your water service type, call 905-546-2489 and request a free Check Size and Type Inspection of your water service line.
A $2,500 interest-bearing loan opportunity exists from the City of Hamilton for property owners who would like to replace their lead water line. Homeowners who have qualified for low-income energy customer support programs such as, LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) or OESP (Ontario Electricity Support Program) are eligible for a zero interest loan to cover the cost of the replacement. The loan will remain interest-free unless the customer defaults on payments.
For more information, please visit here.
Childcare Agreement Update: Launch of Expression of Interest
The City has released an Expression of Interest (EOI) available to all licensed child care operators to participate in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCC). After submitting interest in CWELCC, child care operators will proceed to the next step of the application to opt-in.
The Expression of Interest must be emailed to CWELCC@hamilton.ca by July 25, 2022. If you do not submit the Expression of Interest by July 25, 2022, the City of Hamilton will contact you to complete the formal opt-out process.
For more information and to view the Expression of Interest form, please visit here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessica Chase, Director Children's Services and Community Services Division at 905-546-2489 ext. 3590 or via email at jessica.chase@hamilton.ca.
Proper Disposal of Sharps – Waste Management Services
Sharp waste hidden in garbage and blue boxes pose serious health and safety risks for our waste collection workers, family members and pets. Safe and proper disposal of all waste, especially sharp objects, avoids injury for everyone.
Sharp household items like broken glass, dishes, knives, mirrors, razor blades and scissors must be sealed in a cardboard box clearly labeled “BROKEN GLASS” or “SHARP WASTE” and placed on top of or beside your garbage bag.
For more waste safety tips, please visit here.
Food Strategy in Hamilton – Survey Closes July 22
With the rising cost of food and concerns about sustainable production, food security is something that touches us all. I’d like to encourage you to share your input on the City’s Food Strategy to shape how we move forward to 2026.
The Food Strategy was adopted in 2016 and has provided a vision for Hamilton as a city with a sustainable food system where all people at all times have economic and physical access to enough safe, nutritious food to meet their needs. The roadmap of actions to achieve these goals was also based on input from the community. Now, at the halfway mark, it is time to re-assess the progress towards these goals. Take the survey here.
Park Winter Washroom Pilot Program – Provide Feedback Until July 29
In 2021, Council approved a two-year pilot program making select park washrooms available for use in the fall/winter season, October 1 to May 1, during daylight hours.
For fall/winter 2021/2022, the following locations in Ward 3, which required little or no facility alterations, were made available for year-round use:
• Woodlands Park
• Gage Park Washroom (by baseball diamond)
• Gage Park Washroom (by splash pad)
The following locations in Ward 3 are receiving facility upgrades or portable toilets to make them available for use year-round for year two of the pilot program, fall/winter 2022/2023:
• JC Beemer Park
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience using park washrooms in year one of the pilot program. You can do so by taking the Winter Washroom Survey, or joining the discussion, including suggesting new locations or providing other comments and ideas.
For more information, and to provide input, please visit here.
Calling Local Talent – Ottawa Street BIA
The Ottawa Street BIA is looking for local street performers to busk at their Annual Sidewalk Sale on September 24, 2022. Please email info@shopottawastreet.com with references of your performances. Please note they do not have access to any power or outlets.
Concrete Canvas Fest – July 18 - 24
Concrete Canvas is a multi-day visual arts festival where local and internationally acclaimed artists alike gather in Hamilton to paint murals live across the city in an effort to elevate the visual landscape of the city while simultaneously inspiring a new generation of artists. This is a one-of-a-kind self-guided event series that brings the Hamilton community together to celebrate art, music, culture, and diversity over one weekend.
This initiative is in full collaboration with the City of Hamilton. The Ward 3 office has been working directly with Concrete Canvas to expand the Woodlands Park wall, get some incredible murals up at Powell Park, and by supporting the training and education components for emerging artists.
Please join in celebrating the diverse community of artists from July 18th to the 24th. For more details, please visit concretecanvasfest.com.
Ward 3 Office Community Pop Ups – July 26 & 28th
The last two Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups in July will be on Tuesday, July 26th, and Thursday, July 28. We will be “popping up” at Bishop’s Park on the 26th between 1 pm and 3 pm, and on the 28th, at JC Beemer Park between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.
These Pop-Ups are an opportunity to connect one-on-one with neighbours in #OurWard3. Our objective with this roaming casework initiative is to listen to the issues that matter most to you and identify the next steps to help address them.
Please note that many issues require consultation with City Staff, so we may not be able to bring everything to immediate resolution. Where that is the case, we will be sure to follow up and keep you in the loop as we work toward getting you the answers and support you need.
Please make sure to keep your mask on when you come by. And help get the word out to our neighbours without Internet access.
46th Annual Festival of Friends – July 29 - 31st
The Festival of Friends is back with the first full three-day event since 2019, and has announced the lineup for its free music festival. The long running event returns July 29, 30, and 31st of the Civic Holiday long weekend at Gage Park.
Serena Ryder will kick off the event on Friday night with her extensive rock catalogue, joined by opening act Ryland James. Saturday will feature Monster Truck, Hamilton-born hard-rock favourites, as well as, the Snotty Nose Rez Kids, an Indigenous hip-hop duo who have received international accolades as the newest stars in First Nations music. The festival will close on Sunday with a country music theme per tradition, with Albertan new-country star Gord Bamford closing out the night, joined by opener George Canyon.
In addition to 3 stages of music featuring 30+ musical acts, the festival includes craft & food vendors, a huge midway, pony rides, and an escape room. Admission is free and the festival runs rain or shine.
For the full schedule and details, please visit festivaloffriends.ca.