Our Ward 3 News for October 22nd, 2021
Dear Neighbour,
October 21st is Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Day. I want to start off with a big shout-out to all the workers caring for our children in #OurWard3. It is because of the care and dedication you provide and all the ways that you support the development and growth of our children that so many parents can go to work. My family relies on ECE support through an after-school care program and it literally enables me to show up for my role, longer. I see you and I am in your corner.
Halloween is fast approaching. This year, take on the zero waste challenge and try out some of these great options that our friends at Green Venture have laid out.
This week’s update includes information on COVID-19, vaccine opportunities, updates from committee and Council, community events, engagement opportunities, and more.
Yours in community,
Nrinder Nann
Winterized Washrooms in Ward 3
During this past Public Works Committee meeting, a two-year pilot program to winterize public washrooms passed unanimously. Two locations in Ward 3 will be a part of this pilot project, Woodlands Park’s central facility and the washrooms closest to the spray pad and baseball diamonds at Gage Park. The pilot program will be launching this season after the retrofits are completed.
More information can be found here.
Main St East No Rush Hour Parking From Wentworth to Gage
There are no more rush-hour parking restrictions in effect on the north side of Main St E from Wentworth through to Gage. Thanks to neighbours and our small business community at Coven, Willard’s Ice Cream, and Sealed Art who advocated about lifting the restriction so customers can stop in to support local businesses any time of day.
The added benefit of a lane open to parking any time of day reduces the tendency to speed down multiple lanes in one direction, resulting in traffic to slow down, pedestrian safety, and overall safer streets.
Reviewing parking restrictions on commercial stretches was also a recommendation through the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery to support small businesses through the pandemic and beyond.
The AIDS Network CTS Supported by Board of Health
Did you know Hamilton faces the highest opioid-related death rate in all of Ontario? Immediate supports are needed and Hamilton Public Health is resuming work on the Hamilton Drug Strategy with all community and health partners to address this emergency.
In fact, this past Monday, Board of Health unanimously voted to support The AIDS Network’s Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) application to open a second CTS site in Hamilton to be located in Ward 3. Our neighbourhoods have the second-highest overdose-related emergency call rates in the city. We also see the negative impacts of an unsafe supply far too regularly.
The AIDS Network (TAN) wants to hear from you and to help build understanding about what services are going to be offered and the impact it can have in helping address the toxic drug crisis we face.
TAN is continuing with their ongoing community engagement strategy with both Ward 3 neighbours and people with lived experience of drug use as part of the application process with the Ontario Ministry of Health. The following community surveys close this coming Sunday, October 24th:
For frequently asked questions head to https://aidsnetwork.ca/cts/ and to watch their last virtual community discussion click here.
Encampment Update
This Tuesday at Planning Committee, Councillor Farr moved to have Municipal Licensing Enforcement staff provide weekly updates on the status of encampments across the City. Since the previous protocol was repealed, the number of encampments has grown from approximately to over 44 encampments in City parks. This increase continues to point out the dire need for housing with health supports and the need to bring together all stakeholders for an open dialogue and strategy session to end homeless in our city.
I attended the meeting to listen to the delegations made by homeowners about their concerns related to safety, waste and public hygiene, similar to what other residents in Ward 3 have expressed to my office. There were also some comments that were insensitive to the needs of diverse populations. That said, I was encouraged to hear many delegates recognize the need for housing and health supports in order to address the root of the problem. It remains true that enforcement of the no-camping by-law won’t solve homelessness.
The City is currently in court regarding an application for an injunction that prevents residents currently living in encampments from being displaced by enforcement.
For general questions about encampments and protocols, call 905-546-CITY (2489).
Report any immediate concerns of safety and well-being of any community member, including loss of consciousness, frostbite, substance poisoning, or harassment by calling 9-1-1.
COVID-19 Fourth Wave
Hamilton Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Richardson shared cautious optimism about being past the peak of the fourth wave here in Hamilton. We are seeing a reduction in the number of cases, outbreaks, hospitalizations and death. Today there are 171 active cases in the city and school related cases are at about five cases a day. Hamilton is at about 84% of residents with one dose and 79.4% of residents with two doses.
That said, we are not in the clear, and our Ward 3 neighbours in L8L are still 10% lower in their vaccination rates compared to the city average.
And for those of us who are fully vaccinated, it is important to remain vigilant and continue to adhere to public health guidelines: stay masked indoors, keep 6 feet apart, and wash hands.
Vaccine Eligibility Update for 5 to 11-year-olds
Pfizer has now officially asked Health Canada to approve the use of its vaccine in children aged five to eleven years old. The 5-11-year-old age group vaccine has the same content, but the dosage will be about one-third the size. If approval is granted, health units across the country will immediately begin delivering doses to this new eligible age group.
In Hamilton we can anticipate seeing two mini mass-immunization clinics, kid-friendly rotating mobile clinics, increased ability to get the COVID-19 vaccine from family doctors, and specialized hospital hub clinic for kids with extra needs.
Vaccine Verification QR Code
It has now been a few days since the new QR code system has been introduced in Ontario. Anyone is able to download their own unique QR-code to confirm their vaccination status here.
For more information about proof of vaccination, please visit (link) https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/proof-vaccination
October Vaccine Clinics in Ward 3
It’s great to see the case counts continuing to decline. Together we can drive those numbers down even further. So, let’s make sure that we’re all double vaccinated. We know that vaccines are safe and effective, and if you still haven’t gotten vaccinated for any reason, there are lots of available opportunities right now to do so.
October 22, 12 to 2 pm
St. Patrick’s Church
440 King St. E.. Hamilton
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
Outdoor clinic, dress appropriately for the weather
October 22 & 29 – 10 am to 12 pm & 1 to 3 pm
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch (operated by City of Hamilton)
571 Barton St E, Hamilton, L8L 2Z3
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
October 23, 12 to 3 pm
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch (operated by REFUGE - Newcomer Health)
571 Barton St. E., Hamilton, L8L 2Z4
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
First or second dose: walk-in
Questions or support: 905-526-0000
October 23 & 30, 10 am to 12 pm & 1 to 3 pm
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre
876 Cannon St., Hamilton, L8L 0C6
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
October 27, 11 am to 2 pm
Mission Services
196 Wentworth St. N.
(use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
If you are age 18+, you can receive Moderna through pharmacies in Hamilton. If you are 12+, you can receive Pfizer through pharmacies in Hamilton. Participating pharmacies covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
Check the City’s website (www.Hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine ) for a fulsome listing of other vaccine clinics popping up throughout the month of October.
Woodlands Park Spray Pad
The City of Hamilton is seeking public feedback regarding the spray pad design, theme, and features of the Woodlands Park Spray Pad: https://engage.hamilton.ca/woodlandspark
Bus Stop Seat Pilot Project
HSR is piloting a prototype combination of a bus stop pole and a bench for customer seating. HSR is exploring this as a potential solution for existing HSR bus stops where conventional benches have been requested but cannot be installed due to a lack of space. To see all locations, including x number in Ward 3 see here.
Our Ward 3 industrial neighbours, Air Liquide, have advised us of their upcoming annual safety maintenance work at their Birmingham Street location, which may lead to increased off-site noise impacts to the surrounding neighbourhood. This update is as a result of climate justice advocacy led by Ward 3 Climate Action Community Coordinator, Kerry LeClair.
From Air Liquide:
The Air Separation Plant at 95 Birmingham Street will be undergoing maintenance activities, beginning at 6:00 am on October 24 with a plant shutdown and ending on November 11, 2021, when the plant’s operations restart. The maintenance activities at the plant will be operating in accordance with Air Liquide’s existing 24/7/365 plant operations schedule.
The maintenance activities at the Plant will require additional specialized resources on-site at the plant, which may increase vehicle traffic slightly.
The following is a list of events that may result in higher-than-normal offsite noise levels:
Plant shut down
October 24th
6:00 AM - Plant shut down - this will result in venting from our plant. (Appx 6 hours)
3:00 PM - Plant derime will start - this will result in venting from our plant. This is a multi-day process and is required for safety reasons. (Appx 60 hours)
October 25th
6:00 AM - Vacuum trucks will begin to remove insulation from the plant. This is a multi-day process and is required for safety reasons. (Appx 64 hours)
Plant start-up
November 6th
11:00 AM - Plant derime will start - this will result in venting from our plant. This is a multi-day process and is required for safety reasons. (Appx 60 hours)
November 10th and 11th
Plant start-up - this will result in venting from our plant. This is a multi-day process.
All maintenance activities described above are required to ensure the safe operation of the Plant. Throughout these activities, Air Liquide and its staff will take all reasonable measures to mitigate any unplanned offsite impacts.
If you have any questions or concerns contact Air Liquide’s Plant Manager - Christi Brand (365)889-3468 or HSEQ Manager - Bruce MacGregor (506)874-7341.
For more information on noise pollution in our community, please contact our Ward 3 Climate Action Community Coordinator, Kerry LeClair (kerry.leclair@hamilton.ca).
Ottawa St BIA: Halloween Hunt & Free Pumpkins
Join the Ottawa street businesses next Saturday, October 30th for the annual Halloween Hunt.
Activities include:
10 AM-2 PM - Spot characters in the windows of the merchants between Main Street and Barton Street for a chance to win a spooky candy surprise
Grab your free pumpkin from the Ottawa Street Farmers Market (while supplies last) this Saturday, October 23rd then enter a creatively carved pumpkin virtually by next Saturday, October 30th for a chance to win a bucket of candy.
Eva Rothwell Reopens Clothing Room
The Eva Rothwell Centre (460 Wentworth St N) has reopened its clothing room on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM-12 PM. All COVID-19 protocols are in place and masks must be worn in the building.
No Hate in the Hammer Speaker Series
To build bridges and encourage collaboration, No Hate in the Hammer has launched a virtual speaker series from October 2021 to March 2022. The goal of the speaker series is to co-create a blueprint for action – a coordinated community response to hate that will coincide with the creation of a tool kit. For more information and updates on event, dates head to https://nohateinthehammer.ca/.