Eliminating Area Rating, Masking, WiFi Access, and More
Dear Neighbour,
I hope you have been enjoying the extra hours of daylight and the beautiful weather that has come with it.
The Spring Tide Bulb Show is a journey to an oasis with beautiful flower displays and the smell of spring, and it is on until March 20th. Hundreds of spring bulbs are on display at the Gage Park Greenhouse. It is free admission. Donations to Hamilton Food Share are appreciated. Canned goods and monetary donations will be accepted. For more information, please see here.
This newsletter includes updates from Budget 2022 deliberations on eliminating area rating, current discussions regarding masking restrictions for Hamilton, City services digital infrastructure enhancements, and engagement opportunities across the City and specific to Ward 3.
If you have any questions or for further inquiry, please email my office at ward3@hamilton.ca
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Area Rating Update from Budget GIC
Since amalgamation, the City of Hamilton has area-rated services, meaning some areas pay more in taxes than other areas based on level of municipal services they receive. This tactic was used for municipalities that were merged together in Ontario during the 1990s.
When prolonged, it leads to an inequity of cost sharing to residents. In Hamilton, we have 13 city services that are still area rated, including transit, recreation, street lights, and sidewalks. Residents here in Ward 3 have been carrying that tax burden of paying for city wide services in these 13 service areas even though we also have in the lowest income rates in the city.
In an effort to create fairer municipal tax policies, staff have been recommending efforts to eliminate area rated services and bring equity into our tax policy as a city. This move also ensures that we are able to invest at a level that not only responds to the current need for the services, but also enables us to do effective planning for the expansion of community services across the city. The goal is to equalize those payments and make sure that everyone is contributing to that collective pot, in order to provide a greater good and a quality of life that is consistent across the city.
We received a presentation at GIC Budget for Council’s deliberation in the 2022 budget season to eliminate area rated services for recreation, street lights, sidewalks, and a staggered elimination of the area rating of fire services. This recommendation included a phased approach over four years which would be experienced as an increase in tax rates for those in areas that were amalgamated in while providing a tax relief for the former municipality neighbourhoods.
I am fully supportive of staff’s recommendations, as this is the right way to go in helping to address some of the inequities that have been disproportionately impacting specific demographics of communities here in Ward 3.
However, other Council colleagues that are looking to keep tax rates low in their areas proposed a ten year phased approach of eliminating all 13 service areas, including transit. I can appreciate the need for consideration, however there have been households that for decades now have been disproportionately paying for municipal services at a higher rate than other neighbourhoods. Though I am fully on side for eliminating all area rated services, ten years does not enable the kind of city building and service enhancements needed now. So, I amended the motion to include a breakdown of eliminating area rated services from a four year, six year, eight year, and ten year impact assessment as way of providing the necessary information for a fairer decision. If my colleagues are interested in a compromise, then we need to look at the data in a way that alleviates the burden that has been unfairly placed on former city residents and homeowners.
We will receive a report back from staff and make a final decision on the topic at the next GIC Budget meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 23rd.
Masking Recommendations in Hamilton
Ontario will scrap most mask mandates — including in schools, restaurants, gyms and stores — across the province on March 21, with remaining COVID-19 regulations also set to drop by the end of April. Many concerned parents have been reaching out to my office about the masking requirements being taken away, especially with the return back to school after March Break. Masking indoors remains an effective protective layer to reduce spread, especially among populations unable to be vaccinated or are immunocompromised.
Hamilton Health Sciences continues to plead with residents to continue wearing masks, and Children Hospitals locally and across Ontario are also advocating to keep masks in place longer.
On Monday, at Board of Health, I will be inquiring about what data we are able to rely on in making an appropriate recommendation for Hamilton. If our transmission rates continue to increase and many local residents remain at risk of serious impact if they get infected, I will be advocating to keep masking recommendations in place at the Board of Health on Monday.
Immediately following the Board of Health meeting there will be a Special Council Meeting where my colleagues and I will be deciding whether to maintain Hamilton’s current masking bylaw or repeal it.
HWDSB recently made the decision that students and staff will be required to wear masks (non-medical or medical) while indoors at school and on buses until April 1, and will be strongly encouraged to continue masking after this date. Please visit the HWDSB website for more information.
For an up to date list of current vaccine clinic options, please visit hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.
City of Hamilton Digital Infrastructure Enhancements
The City of Hamilton has increased its internet speed at City facilities by a factor of 10 to ensure it can meet the increasing data and online service demands of residents at City facilities. The increased speed will ensure residents connect to City services, and ensure Hamilton is future-ready to deliver and improve City services that support residents as the demand for broadband increases. The upgrade includes many existing municipal buildings such as recreation, community, seniors and customers services centres, arenas, libraries, fire and police stations, and City Hall with many locations offering free Wi-Fi access inside the buildings. A complete list of the 76 City of Hamilton facilities that offer public Wi-Fi currently can be found at hamilton.ca/wirelessnetwork.
COVID-19 Wastewater Data
In an effort to continue to provide important COVID-19 data to the community, the City of Hamilton’s Status of Cases webpage now includes ‘COVID-19 Wastewater Testing in Hamilton’.
There has been some public discussion recently regarding the use of wastewater data to determine the trends as it relates to COVID-19 transmission rates. Other cities have been able to rely on wastewater data to plan for a later masking restriction lift, understanding that transmission rates are on the increase in their communities. In Hamilton, this data has not been used as a predictive measure to date.
Hamilton Public Health is continuing to work with the Province and Researchers at the University of Ottawa to understand the data and its utility locally, and how this study is being incorporated into monitoring metrics going forward, and to understand the relationship between wastewater trends and other metrics such as hospitalization.
Hamilton Parks Master Plan - Phase 1 Survey closes March 20th
The Hamilton Parks Master Plan is a guiding document that helps municipalities plan for and provide parks for residents. It is an important step in considering the development and enhancement of parkland over the short, medium and long term. It also aids in decision-making and helps prioritize investment in parkland across the city.
The City wants to learn about how residents currently use Hamilton’s parks and open spaces, the needs and wishes of park visitors, and the barriers people face to access parkland.
Please take the Phase 1 Survey to share your input and insights, as this will ensure the principles, policies, and recommendations reflect the lives of Hamiltonians are considered in the development of the Master Plan. For further details of the Parks Master Plan, and a breakdown of parks involved in this plan across the city of Hamilton, please see here.
Family-Friendly Housing Policy - PIC Meetings - March 23 & 24
The Family-Friendly Housing project is an initiative that looks at ways to provide and encourage an adequate supply of housing that is suitable for larger households and families with children. Having enough supply of suitable housing available, as well as designing developments and neighbourhoods in ways that are supportive of families, are key factors in ensuring that housing meets the needs of all citizens.
City staff have began engaging with the community to obtain feedback on the actions outlined in the discussion paper titled Encouraging Family Friendly Housing in Hamilton. Join one of the two upcoming virtual public information centre (PIC) meetings on Wednesday, March 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM or Thursday, March 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM to engage with the staff and hear more about the planning-related actions for family friendly housing identified in the discussion paper that are being considered for Hamilton. For more information please see here.
Reimagining Public Participation - Survey closes April 3rd
The Reimaging Public Participation process is a city-led initiative that recognizes the importance and value of involving local residents to help shape City projects, policies and initiatives. Engaging residents on issues that affect their lives and their city is a vital component of a well-functioning democratic society and is a key priority of the City’s 25-year Community Vision.
Over the past two years, efforts towards engagement have shifted online with virtual public meetings, live streamed events and digital tools. As these efforts continue to evolve, the City is committed to seeking diverse opinions, experiences and information from the community to ensure you are informed and involved in shaping City decisions. Please take the survey here to share your perspectives on City-led public engagement.
Cathedral Temporary Shelter Meeting - Tuesday, March 22nd - 6:30-8 PM
Join us for the 2nd virtual community meeting where City staff and community partners will provide an overview of the transition, and new operation of this location as a gender-specific emergency shelter for women, trans-feminine, trans-masculine and non-binary adults on a temporary basis.
This public meeting will allow Good Shepherd Centre to update and hear from the community on the transition, operational updates, COVID safety measures that are in place for everyone’s protection, and further community updates on the next steps for this location. Register your attendance. Once registered for this event you will be sent a link for the online meeting. To submit questions in advance, email housing@hamilton.ca.
Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council - Annual Event - March 24th
The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) is hosting its annual event on Thursday, March 24 from 3:00-4:00 PM where they will be reviewing highlights from 2021/22 and launching a new directory of Newcomer Services. This event will also have music and entertainment, featuring Latin folk singer/songwriter and former HIPC member, Lil Acevedo! Contact the HIPC team at immigration.partnership@hamilton.ca to join!
Phase 2 Victoria Cycle Track Community Consultation - Save the Date - April 19th
As Phase 1 of the Victoria Cycle Track project nears completion, City staff are commencing the design stage for Phase 2 between Cannon and Stinson.
Please save the date to join us on Tuesday, April 19th 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.
Beautiful Alleys - Call Out for Spring Cleanups - April 23 from 9 AM - 1 PM
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), Hamilton Mountain (555 Concession Street), and Crown Point (Memorial School). Gloves and cleanup supplies will be provided and COVID protocols will be in effect (masks provided). For more information email hamiltonalleys@gmail.com