Our Ward 3 News: Encampment Update, Winter Services Plan, the Urban Boundary & more
Dear Neighbour,
Over the past 18 months, we continue to face fears and misinformation in the community on a range of topics. In an effort to build understanding together, my office will be hosting a series of community discussions over the winter months aimed at facing some hard truths and examining how many issues faced by our neighbours are interconnected. More on this to come.
Reminder that pumpkins can be collected with your yard waste and for another hot tip from the City regarding the correct disposal of fats, oil and grease in the home, check out this public education campaign titled, Beware the Berg.
In this newsletter: an update on encampments, calling for a winter services plan for people experiencing homelessness, the urban boundary discussion, upcoming vaccine clinics, and some great community events for you to participate in
Yours in community,
Nrinder Nann
Encampment Update
Following the Superior Court’s decision on Tuesday, November 2nd, the City will resume enforcement of by-laws that prohibit camping on City property, including park areas based on the 6 Step Encampment Response Plan.
The reality is, the issue of encampments will persist until the City develops and implements a strategy to eliminate homelessness and address the unique health needs experienced by those who are encamped.
No amount of enforcement of by-laws will solve homelessness. No amount of enforcement of by-law will heal people. Encampments are growing and people are struggling.
As Dr. Andrew Boozary stated during his keynote address at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness hosted by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness this Wednesday, “there is no universal health care without the human right to housing.”
The ruling was based on the principle that the municipality has an obligation to keep public spaces safe and open. Justice Goodman also stated that “elected officials, health care and other professionals, social agencies and experts are best equipped to address the welfare and needs of the homeless”
And so, it is my hope that I can convince my colleagues to prioritize this work. As a Council we must work collaboratively with partners in each sector Justice Goodman highlighted, along with organizations that provide front-line support to the unhoused, to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan we can unite behind to advocate for the health-related and housing investments sorely missing. Surely, we can muster the courage to directly address the unique needs of the 80 to 120 residents currently living in encampments across the city.
Winter Services Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness
Winter is fast approaching and cold weather can be deadly for unhoused residents.
Organizations and volunteers who support houseless residents, many in Ward 3, have expressed the need for 24-hour indoor respite spaces which are welcoming, offer food, clothing, and where folks can be referred to for additional support.
To date, our city does not have a comprehensive winter services plan for people experiencing homelessness. And so, at Emergency Community Services Committee today, I will be tabling a motion to build one that includes monitoring and adapting to emerging needs.
Sprawl developers across Ontario have had influence with the Ontario government, which has shaped the very growth policy cities are being forced to follow. So much so, we’ve had Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, Steve Clark pen an op Ed in The Spec warning the city to comply with the targets the province wants to see. It is so blatant that the entire policy is under an Auditor General’s review. The investigation examines what the government says is needed to spur construction of new housing, but that critics say has enabled sprawl, weakened environmental protections and favoured real estate developers who donate to the PC Party.
We can’t afford to claw away prime agricultural soil, sensitive environmental areas, or dip into the finite land along our urban boundary, it simply takes too much away from future generations. We need to preserve growing lands to support local food production and food security. And being good stewards of the land as settlers require us to take the long view on this debate.
Paving these lands to make way for subdivisions that are increasingly being used, not as complete communities, but part of the wealth accumulating, housing investment portfolios continue to make homes unaffordable. Housing is recognized as a social determinant of health, meaning that being housed at a rate you can afford will lead to better health outcomes for all. Most Hamiltonians are paying far more than 30% of their income towards the cost of housing. And according to the Ontario Living Wage Network to meet the cost of housing, food, and other essentials, Hamiltonians need to be making $17.20/hr at a minimum.
Expanding the urban boundary also further entrenches the infrastructure deficit our city faces in maintaining and repairing our existing assets. Those of us who live in existing neighbourhoods end up subsidizing the infrastructure development of new neighbourhoods. Generally speaking, this is how the greater good is attended to, but in expansion growth planning, it has resulted in a crumbling lower city in Hamilton.
Expansion also inhibits complete communities, which is an approach to planning that balances density, transit, services, and a mix of residential to commercial spaces that enable neighbours to walk, take transit, and have a greater quality of life. Complete communities see lower emissions from less reliance on motorized vehicles.
Higher density infill development pays for itself and gives municipalities the opportunity to invest more sustainably into existing areas with amenities like green space, cycling lanes, and sidewalks while also being able to enhance city services. Frankly, all residents would benefit from more density in each ward, which would result in a more equitable city.
A total of 18,387 residents responded to Hamilton’s GRIDS 2/MCR Urban Growth survey through mail and email. The results of the submissions are:
Option 1 - ‘Ambitious Density’ scenario = 1,088 responses (5.9%)
Option 2 - ‘No Urban Boundary Expansion’ scenario = 16,636 responses (90.4 %)
Option 3 - Other Suggestions = 663 responses (3.6%)
Over 16,600 survey respondents and hundreds more by email and phone have made it known they do not want our urban boundary to expand.
And so, on November 9th, I’ll be voting against expanding our urban boundary. There is too much at stake and we deserve a city that is intentionally planned for sustainability and to enable future generations to thrive.
To learn more check out:
There are only 24,212 Hamiltonians remaining to bring us to 90% vaccinated. This target is within reach. Let’s keep working, let’s keep pushing, and let’s get our city vaccinated.
Vaccine Clinics in Ward 3
November 4 & 11, 10 am to 12 pm & 1 to 3 pm
Hamilton Public Library – 571 Barton St E, Hamilton, L8L 2Z3
November 5, 12 to 2 pm
St. Patrick’s Church - 440 King St. E.. Hamilton
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
Outdoor clinic, dress appropriately for the weather
November 9, 2 to 4 pm & 5 to 7 pm
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St., Hamilton, L8L 0C6
November 10, 11 am to 2 pm
Mission Services - 196 Wentworth St. N.
(use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
COVID-19 vaccination program expands eligibility for booster doses
Following Provincial direction and recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), effective immediately, the following individuals are eligible to book an appointment to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if at least six months have passed since their last dose.
Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
Healthcare workers, and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers) ages 18+;
Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members ages 18+.
All booster doses are available by appointment only, no walk-in option available. Appointments can be booked by visiting www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.
Are you hosting a community event in #OurWard3 that you would like us to know about and share? Send event details to ward3@hamilton.ca.
Brave Space
Solidarity spans well beyond thoughts and prayers during hateful incidents. It must be deliberate with ongoing support for each other. We must have both healing & justice!
I am proud to be supporting this 4-week support group for Muslim women in response to Islamophobic incidents in #HamOnt. Brave Space will be facilitated by ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health Services and will address Islamophobia and mental health, while creating space for Muslim women to talk safely and learn ways to cope, heal and gain resiliency.
This program was made possible by the leadership of ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health Services in partnership with Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, and SACHA.
Registration is required and is open November 2nd and closes on November 18th. Register here: tinyurl.com/bravespacehamont
Ward 3 Advent Windows
The 2021 registration to participate in the Ward 3 Advent Windows community art project is now open! Sign up here.
Interested in joining the planning team?Email ward3advent@gmail.com.
Cotton Factory Light the Night
The Cotton Factory presents Light the Night: Illuminations, Projections and Two Indoor Markets. This event is being held on December 4th, 2021 from 5:00 pm-10:00 pm. Free event, donations accepted. Interested in becoming a vendor or volunteering? Email info@cottonfactory.ca
For more information see their poster on Instagram here and check out their website.