Ward 3 Community Update - June 20
Happy Summer Solstice Neighbours,
Community events, festivals and celebrations have already kicked off as the weather has warmed. It was great to celebrate the nominees and recipients of the Hamilton Arts Awards, officially launch the epic and new Woodlands Park Spray Pad, do the ceremonial tip-off for the Queer Dimes 3x3 Basketball tournament, enjoy the annual Barton Village BIA Fest, and popped in on the Filipino Festival at Gage Park over the past week.
This coming weekend is equally jam-packed with exciting ways to spark joy in #OurWard3:
This Saturday, I’ll be joining our friends at the Children’s Garden Party at Gage Park and popping by FrancoFest with my family before we head to the Arkells’ concert at the Hamilton Stadium.
And on Sunday my team and I will be poppin’ up at Open Streets on King St E at the Wentworth Hub. We’ll be set up with freezies and laptops to continue our community based office hours to support your municipal service requests and questions.
As always, if you need any support navigating a municipal issue, my team and I are just an email away at ward3@hamilton.ca, by phone at 905-547-2702, or by joining us at one of our upcoming pop-up events listed below.
Yours in Community,
Nrinder Nann
HAMILTON PARAMEDICS ANNUAL UPDATE
This presentation was Chief Sanderson’s final with Hamilton Paramedic Services prior to retirement, marking 50 years in paramedic services. His exemplary public service leadership has resulted in a complete turn around in statistics related to dispatch and service innovations.
While the number of emergency medical responses increased by almost 5% in 2024, Paramedic response time improved by 25 seconds from 2023 and we experienced just 2 code zeros, this is unprecedented in recent history.
In 2024, HPS and the City of Hamilton formally recognized the Juravinski Hospital Emergency Department team for leading the way to reduce offload delays. An offload delay occurs when the hospital does not accept responsibility for the care of a patient from paramedics within 30 minutes of the ambulance arriving at the Emergency Department. The provincial government standard stipulates that transfer of care (TOC) of patients should occur within 30 minutes 90% of the time. Paramedics are required to remain with and care for the patient until the hospital is ready to accept the responsibility for their care.
In 2024, paramedics spent a total of 22,192 hours in excess of 30 minutes in hospital Emergency Departments. (the provincial standard is 30 minutes.) This represents a second year of improvement, with an 18% decrease or 4,880 fewer hours of paramedics waiting at hospitals over 30 minutes compared to 2023. This program is being rolled out with St. Joe’s Hospital and Hamilton General Hospital.
In Ward 3, we saw 12,849 calls for paramedic supports and services. These range as:
Unknown: 1864
Breathing Problems: 1778
Fall: 1197
Sick/General Malaise: 1120
Chest pain: 923
Unconscious: 870
Traumatic injuries: 692
Abdominal pain: 690
Overdose/poisoning: 646
Transfer: 448
Behavioural problem: 447
Convulsion/seizure: 359
Diabetic problem: 356
Bleeding(non traumatic): 227
MVAC: 209
Cardiac Arrest/VSA: 201
Stroke: 177
Back Pain: 176
Headache: 100
Allergies/Envenomations: 76
Standby: 70
Environmental Exposure: 57
Burns/Explosion: 24
Eye Problem: 24
Childbirth/Labour: 23
Inhalation: 21
Bleeding in Pregnancy: 20
Choking: 20
Emergency Coverage: 19
Electrocution: 8
Other: 7
WARD 3 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE GRANTS
At Council this week, I moved the Spring Allocation of the 2025 Ward 3 Community Resilience Grants to 23 applicants.
The total requests received, totalled over $50,000 for a pot of only $36,000 in available funds! We were blown away by the interest and proposals that were submitted. These are truly small grants to seed resident-led initiatives that help build resilience, belonging, and a sense of community across our ward. And the funds come from the Ward 3 Non-Property Tax Revenue Account which accrues through fees paid to the City for a Bell tower at the Stadium. The one stipulation of the funds is that they must be spent within Ward 3 and approved by Council.
In consultation with the City staff who administer the Community Enrichment Fund, our new adjudication and reporting process my office has implemented allows for a more transparent allocation and outcomes of the funds. It has also opened the door for people, groups, and programs that are new to my office and to help expand the line of sight on all the great work underway in our neighbourhood - and we have a pretty good pulse on what is going on!
The successful applicants in this round are:
Eva Rothwell Centre: $2500 for costs associated with staff training and continuing education.
Barton Village BIA: $1525.50 for costs associated with providing potable water at their annual outdoor festival.
Tune in Foundation: $2500 for costs associated with the launch and execution of the Future Kings Summit.
Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop: $1000 for costs associated with the Sherman Ave Street Party.
STAC Hamilton: $2500 for costs associated with transportation for Ward 3 residents to attend programming in their new location out of the ward.
Open Hearts Theatre: $2500 for costs associated with story gathering arts project in the Keith Neighbourhood.
Afro Canadian Caribbean Association: $2500 for costs associated with programming and food at their seniors meetings that take place in Ward 3.
L’Arche Hamilton: $2500 for costs associated with providing day programming in Ward 3.
Tapestry Theatre Collective: $2500 for costs associated with arts-based research around the meaning of home.
Excel in Style: $2500 for costs associated with programming to connect, mentor and educate Black and racialized youth in textured hair care, styling, and well-being supports.
Better Days Book Club: $1150 for costs associated with space rental and subsidized books for BIPOC participants of the book club that will examine and discuss social issues and build community.
The Children’s Garden Project Canada: $2500 for costs associated with the development of a multifunctional garden bed that will serve as a children’s book, seed, and toy library at Gage Park.
St. Ann Catholic Elementary School Council: $2500 for costs associated with bringing vibrancy, equity, greening, and community resilience to their paved schoolyard.
Micah House Refugee Reception Services: $2352 for costs associated with invigoration of communal space and collaboration with a local muralist.
Rooney’s Cafe: $500 for costs associated with monthly artist talks.
Imagine in the Park: $400 for costs associated with SEAT rental for their children’s literacy festival at Gage Park.
CANADIAN LIQUIDS PROCESSORS @ 15 BIGGAR AVE
As of last week, my office learned from Ministry of the Environment (MECP) staff that Canadian Liquid Processing is now operating a waste transfer station at the 15 Biggar Avenue location. It is now a provincially contracted recycling facility that is part of the recent switch to a producer-responsibility model. Beginning April 1, 2025, the Blue Box program in Hamilton, including curbside collection and supplying blue boxes to residents, will be managed by Circular Materials not by the City of Hamilton.
Although we were aware of the coming changes to municipal waste collection related to recycling across the city, my office was not provided notification of specific change in operations at local waste transfer sites, including CLP. Neither were we notified in advance of the preceding months of construction on the site, which we now believe is related to their expanded operations. While incredibly frustrating, this is not uncommon and is fully permissible under the provincial building code. Because CLP is already operating a licenced waste processing facility in an area zoned for industrial activities (M5) there was unfortunately nothing about their taking on private blue-box recycling that would have typically required community notification.
My office has been in touch with CLP's plant manager and advised them of the overwhelming negative impacts on local neighbours stemming from the facility's operations and asked that representatives from their operations (including parent company Emterra) participate in a community meeting we are organizing.
They have tentatively agreed, and we are working on suitable dates for a public meeting, which may be either virtual or in person. I will keep everyone posted on the confirmed date of the meeting via social media and email to those who have reached out to my office.
In the meantime, it is important that you report your concerns.
Please report all air, noise and odour pollution concerns to the MECP under whose jurisdiction those impacts fall. You can report your concerns anytime by using the online reporting tool or by emailing moe.tips@ene.gov.on.ca or by phone Monday to Friday – 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 905-521-7650 or to the Spills Action Centre after hours and on weekends at 1-800-268-6060.
It is really important to ask the person you’re speaking to for a reference number for your complaint. The same goes if you prefer to email: moe.tips@ene.gov.on.ca – please request a reference number. If you share this with my office, we can help you to follow up and ensure your complaint is being taken seriously.
I would also encourage you to share your concerns directly with the company by email at info@emterra.ca.
If you are concerned about site conditions regarding property maintenance such as trash blowing out onto the road or neighbouring properties, mud tracking, idling vehicles etc, please contact City of Hamilton by-law staff.
For all complaints, include the following information: your contact info, the address or location of the complaint, and details about the complaint including dates and times. Call: 905-546-2782 from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and press Option 1 to speak with a Clerk. Outside of regular business hours – Please call 905-546-CITY (2489). Email: mle@hamilton.ca or use the online complaint form.
Copy my office on your complaint: Whether you are reporting to the MECP, City or to EmTerra, or the City, cc Kerry Le Clair, Ward 3 Community Climate Action Coordinator at kerry.leclair@hamilton.ca on an email or share who you spoke with in by-law, we can amplify your concerns and help you to get a thorough response.
Thank you to the residents, local businesses and other community stakeholders for flagging your concerns to date. I am hopeful that together we can ensure the company mitigates your concerns thoroughly and establishes a protocol of community expectations going forward.
HYDRO INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES COMING TO DUNSMURE, GROSVENOR AVE N & OTTAWA ST. N AS PART OF LRT PHASE 2 EARLY WORKS
As part of early works to support the future Hamilton LRT project, Alectra Utilities will be upgrading overhead hydro infrastructure along several streets in Ward 3, including Dunsmure Road, Grosvenor Avenue North, and Ottawa Street North.
On these streets, Alectra crews will be:
Removing and installing new poles, anchors, transformers, and electrical conductors.
Completing minor excavation along the municipal road allowance.
Performing tree trimming to ensure safe clearance from overhead wires.
Working primarily on the north side of Dunsmure, and the east sides of Grosvenor and Ottawa.
Construction is scheduled to begin July 2, 2025, and is expected to be completed by February 2026. Most work will take place weekdays between 8am and 5pm.
What to Expect:
Increased presence of construction vehicles and equipment.
Temporary driveway access disruptions where work is taking place.
Occasional scheduled power interruptions (advance notice will be provided directly by Alectra).
Restoration of any impacted road, sidewalk, or driveway surfaces once work is complete.
We understand that construction can be disruptive, and appreciate your patience as this important infrastructure work is carried out. These upgrades will improve the reliability of local electricity service and prepare the area for the future LRT line.
For project-specific questions, please contact: Martin Washburn at Alectra Utilities by phone at 289-795-7396 or email at martin.washburn@alectrautilities.com.
For questions related to the Hamilton LRT project, please email hamilton@metrolinx.com, or call 905-521-1003.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BIRCH AVE DOG PARK
I want to share an important update with residents about the temporary closure of the Birch Avenue Leash-Free Dog Park, effective June 13, 2025.
The City has made the decision to close the park as a precautionary measure to help protect the health and safety of dogs who use the space. I know this is disappointing news, especially for those of you who rely on the park for regular off-leash time with your pups.
The closure comes after the City received a concern from a Ward 3 resident about the potential health impacts of the soil at the site. Following that, soil testing was conducted earlier this year. The results showed that some of the samples exceeded current provincial standards for parkland use. While the site does not pose an immediate risk to human health, we don’t yet have enough information to say whether there may be impacts on dogs who come into close contact with exposed soil.
Out of an abundance of caution, the dog park is now closed until further notice. A closure sign has been posted, and the fenced area is locked to the public.
The City is currently working with an environmental consultant to do further testing with dogs specifically in mind in order to better understand the potential impacts and determine next steps. I’ve been in ongoing communication with City Parks staff to stay updated on:
When the park may be able to reopen, and
What supports are available for residents and their pets in the meantime.
In the interim, I encourage residents to explore nearby leash-free dog parks, including:
Ward 2 Dog Park at 371 Wellington Street North
Rail Trail Dog Park at 175 Ferguson Avenue South
I recognize that this closure may be an inconvenience, and I appreciate your patience and understanding as staff work through this issue with care and caution. Once further testing is complete and we have more clarity, I’ll be sure to share the next update.
If you have questions about the closure or the soil testing process, you can reach out to Rory Doucette, Manager of Parks, at rory.doucette@hamilton.ca.
CATCH US IN COMMUNITY AT ONE OF OUR WARD 3 OFFICE POP-UPS!
We’re hitting the parks, neighbourhoods, and local events all summer and fall long. Drop by a Ward 3 Office Pop-Up to chat about local issues, get updates, or just say hello! Here’s where you can find us:
June
🛴 June 22, 10AM–12PM – Open Streets
🌳 June 26, 4–6PM – Hayward Park
July
🌿 July 15, 3–5PM – Powell Park
August
🎉 August 16, 12–4PM – Hamilton Stadium 10th Anniversary Celebration (free ticketed event; ticket information to come)
September
🌱 September 16, 11AM–1PM – Depave at Barton & Emerald
🚲 September 28 – Open Streets (Time TBC)
October
🍂 October 7, 2–4PM – Bishop’s Park (Wesley location in case of bad weather)
🏘️ October 30, 3–5PM – 430 Cumberland
December
⛸️ December 31 – Community Skate (Time TBC)
We’re looking forward to connecting with neighbours across Ward 3 — see you out there!
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, JUNE 21
Everyone is welcome to join the City of Hamilton for a free afternoon of culture, community, and celebration at West Harbour James Street Plaza featuring:
Indigenous performances
Indigenous artisan vendors
Local food trucks
Event Schedule: 12pm - 4 pm
Indigenous artisan vendors
Local food trucks
Indigenous stage performances
Stage Schedule:
12pm - 12:45pm Community Drummers
1pm - 1:15pm Welcome - Traditional Opening - Land Acknowledgement
1:15pm - 1:20pm Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch - Greetings
1:20pm - 1:25pm - Mayor’s Message
1:25pm - 2:20pm - Joe Martin - Smoke Dancers
2:30pm - 3pm - Nikki Shawana - Hoop Dancers
3:15pm - 3:45pm - Lacey Hill - Singer/Songwriter
3:45pm - 4pm - Traditional Closing
A full vendor list is available at National Indigenous Peoples Day |City of Hamilton.
HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SOCIAL IMPACT SURVEY
Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC) has partnered with Hamilton Public Library for a nationwide initiative to measure the social impact of public libraries across Canada.
Have your say by completing a short online survey at www.hpl.ca/culc-survey before Wednesday, July 2.
Whether you are a Member or an occasional user, your opinions are valuable. Your anonymous feedback will help improve HPL services and build a better understanding of how we can support Hamilton and the surrounding communities.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CITY OF HAMILTON WARD 8 COUNCILLOR BY-ELECTION
Nominations are now open for the City of Hamilton Ward 8 byelection. This election will fill the vacant Ward 8 City Councillor seat, providing an important opportunity for residents to have a voice in shaping municipal priorities and addressing the community's needs.
Individuals who meet the requirements for candidacy are encouraged to submit their nominations to participate in the democratic process.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
Canadian citizen;
at least 18 years old;
reside in, or are the owner or tenant of land in the City of Hamilton, or the spouse of such owner or tenant;
are not prohibited from voting under subsection 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) or otherwise by law; and
are not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.
Eligible candidates interested in filing their nomination to run for this office are asked to book an appointment with Elections staff by calling 905-546-4408 or emailing elections@hamilton.ca.
Nominations will be accepted until August 8, 2025, at 2pm.
A full list of candidates will be available online by August 12, 2025.
Voting will be held on September 22, 2025, with advance polls on September 20 and 21, 2025. More information about how and where to vote will be available at a later date.
For more information on the nomination process, visit www.hamilton.ca/Elections or contact elections@hamilton.ca.
CITY OF HAMILTON TRANSITIONS TO NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 NETWORK
The City of Hamilton has officially transitioned to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network, which is a major milestone in strengthening public safety and emergency response services across our city.
In collaboration with the Hamilton Fire Department and Hamilton Police Service, this upgrade places Hamilton among the first ten cities in Ontario to adopt this advanced system. NG9-1-1 enhances the way emergency calls are handled, helping first responders act more quickly and effectively in times of crisis.
This multi-stage upgrade offers several improvements to our traditional 9-1-1 services:
Faster, more accurate data: Emergency Operators can now access caller location and phone number more quickly and reliably.
Stronger cybersecurity: Enhanced security features reduce the risk of system downtime.
Improved reliability: Backup systems ensure emergency services remain uninterrupted.
Future-ready features: The system is built to support text messages and live emergency video calls in the future.
This upgrade ensures Hamilton meets federal requirements to modernize emergency services by 2027, as outlined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
There is no change or disruption to how residents access 9-1-1. This behind-the-scenes upgrade makes emergency services more efficient, more secure, and better prepared to respond when it matters most.
Over $10.5 million in provincial funding has supported Hamilton’s transition to NG9-1-1 since 2022. This investment has enabled the City, alongside Bell Canada and Solacom, to implement an integrated call handling system that improves communication between Emergency Operators and first responders on the ground.
As Hamilton grows, so does the need for modern, resilient systems that can meet the evolving needs of our community. NG9-1-1 is a meaningful step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
NOMINATIONS FOR HAMILTON’S ACCESSIBILITY AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN!
Nominations are now open for the second annual Accessibility Awards, recognizing individuals, groups, and organizations that are making Hamilton more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.
Led by the Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD), these awards celebrate meaningful contributions that advance accessibility and universal design in our city. Whether it’s through leadership, innovation, advocacy, or inclusive practices, this is an opportunity to highlight those helping to build a barrier-free Hamilton.
Nominate someone today by submitting a nomination online at: hamilton.ca/AccessibilityAwards. The deadline to submit is July 18, 2025.
Award recipients will be celebrated during the fourth annual Accessibility Fair, happening on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 11am - 3pm in the Hamilton City Hall Forecourt.
This community event is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate accessibility progress across Hamilton. For more information, questions about the awards or nomination process, please contact:
Cindy Mutch, Manager, Community Initiatives by emailing cindy.mutch@hamilton.ca.
Let’s continue working together toward a more accessible Hamilton for everyone.
HELP SHAPE HAMILTON’S ROAD SAFETY FUTURE: VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN (2026-2031)
The City of Hamilton is developing its next Vision Zero Action Plan, which will guide road safety initiatives from 2026 to 2031. This follows the City’s first Vision Zero Action Plan (2019–2025). We are engaging residents, visitors, and businesses to help inform this next phase and ensure it reflects the community’s experiences and priorities when it comes to roadway safety.
To access the survey, please visit the Engage Hamilton website at: www.engage.hamilton.ca/vision-zero-2026-2031
Photo Credit: Hamilton Tourism
FRANCOFEST, JUNE 20-22
Join in on FrancoFest this June 20-22 in Gage Park for a free, outdoor Francophone festival celebrating French language and culture through music, art, food, and family activities.
For the most up-to-date festival and line-up information, visit the FrancoFEST website.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, JUNE 20-22
National Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated at Battlefield Park (77 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton) with the 28th Annual Soaring Spirit Indigenous Festival and Pow Wow.
The festival includes a day of education and cultural activities, ceremonies, live entertainment, and the Native Arts, Craft, Trade & Food Show. The Pow Wow takes place on Saturday and Sunday, featuring sunrise ceremonies, drumming, dancing, music, and art. The event is open to all.
For more information, please visit the National Aboriginal Days Soaring Spirit Festival Facebook page.
THE CHILDREN’S GARDEN PARTY @ GAGE PARK, JUNE 21
🌻 Calling All Little Planters and Garden Enthusiasts! 🌻
Are you ready for the ultimate garden extravaganza? Join us for an unforgettable day bursting with fun and excitement at our 4th annual Children’s Garden Party Day!
Don’t miss out on:
🎨 Enchanting Entertainment: Be mesmerized by live performances and captivating shows that will leave you spellbound!
🌻 Crafty Creations: Let your imagination run wild with hands-on arts and crafts stations where you can create your own masterpieces!
🚶♂️ Adventure Awaits: Embark on exciting garden tours led by our friendly guides who will reveal the hidden treasures of our magical garden!
❓ Brain-Teasing Trivia: Put your knowledge to the test with fun and engaging trivia games that are as entertaining as they are educational!
🎁 Fantastic Prizes: Win amazing prizes and take home special goodies that will make this day even more memorable!
🌿 Creative Workshops: Explore your green thumb with interactive workshops that will inspire you to nurture your love for nature!
And what’s a party without treats? Indulge in scrumptious cake and refreshing lemonade that will sweeten your day!
Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get set for a garden party like no other!
Please visit the Children’s Garden Party Eventbrite page to RSVP. We hope to see you at this very special event!
🌸 Let’s grow together!
OPEN STREETS ON KING ST. E (FROM GAGE AVE - JOHN ST), JUNE 22
Make the streets your playground! Open Streets temporarily closes selected streets to vehicular traffic, transforming them into lively spaces where people can walk, bike, skate, and engage in various activities.
Open Streets is ON – Heat, Rain, or Shine!
The event is moving forward this Sunday June 22nd from 10am to 4pm! With the predicted hot temperatures, please take steps to protect yourself throughout the day!
To stay safe and comfortable:
Dress appropriately for heat (light, breathable clothing and hats recommended)
Drink water often – bring reusable water bottle and refill stations are available
Take regular breaks and seek shade
Recreate and activate safely – know your limits and watch for signs of overheating
St John’s Ambulance will be on site at the Wentworth Hub.
Cooling supports available:
Water Stations throughout the route: Find Water Tap stations at Wellington, Wentworth & Bernie Morelli Hubs. Cups are provided and we encourage you to bring your own reusable drinking container.
Misting Stations: Find misting stations near the City of Hamilton tents at the Wentworth Hub & Sherman Hubs
City of Hamilton Tents: If you need additional shade, emergency water or juice, locate the City of Hamilton tent closest to you at the John, Wellington, Wentworth, Sherman and Bernie Morelli Hubs. Find shade, support, or rest.
IT’S YOUR FESTIVAL, JUNE 28 - JULY 1
Round up the family for a weekend of festivities in the park when It's Your Festival returns to Gage Park this summer.
Bring friends and family together for a great time this long weekend. Headliners this year include Spoons, Jay Douglas, Goddo, and The Northern Pikes. With a jam-packed lineup of music, entertainment, art, and food, It's Your Festival is sure to be something for everyone.
For the most up-to-date festival information, visit the It's Your Festival website.
DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY AT EVA ROTHWELL CENTRE
Eva Rothwell is proud to host Dolly Parton's Imagination Library as one of their initiatives to help raise early literacy rates, prepare children for Kindergarten, and instill a love of reading at a young age.
They are currently focused on enrolling children who live within the L8H, L8L, L8M, L8N, L8P, and L8R postal codes, with a goal of expanding the program throughout Hamilton. Their program would not be possible without our community partnerships and donors, if you wish to make a donation please visit the CanadaHelps website.
For more information about the program, or to enroll, please contact:
Chelsey Simmonds
905-526-1558 ext. 407