Airport Economic Growth Input, Liveable Basic Income
Dear Neighbours,
I am feeling very grateful for the change in weather pattern that has helped alleviate some of the risk from the heavy smoke in the air from the wildfires. Having said that, it is important to stay alert to how you can best take care of yourself and others when the Air Quality Health Index goes back up again. Please check out the information below.
It is frustrating to know that in the 2019 budget, the provincial government slashed the Ontario Emergency Firefighting Services by 67% which amounts to $142.2M. Climate change is a factual reality that each level of government must act on responsively when determining annual investments and policy changes. I’m proud of the work of Council to protect sensitive wetlands near a development site in the Airport Economic Growth District. It was a demonstration of putting the values of ecological sustainability in the context of what is usually viewed only through an economic lens. More on this important decision below in the Council & Committee section.
There are many events this month that I want to ensure you save the date for: Wilson St 2-Way conversion meeting, Office Pop-ups, King St Open Streets, Encampment Protocol meeting, and the opening of much anticipated #OurWard3 businesses. As well as, opportunities for your direct input. I look forward to seeing you this month!
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Spring photo of City Hall with yellow, orange, and purple tulips out front. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Council & Committee Updates"
Airport Economic Growth District - Amending development plans for ecological sustainability
During Wednesday’s Council meeting, we approved several conditions to improve ecological sustainability and environmental standards related to a site specific development plan in the airport growth area on Dickenson Road. Through leadership from Councillors Cassar, Tadeson and A. Wilson and the openness of the developer Panattoni, who has demonstrated environmental practice leadership in projects globally, we were able to advance clear standards to protect wetlands, natural heritage and put our stewardship in action.
The multiple amendments included measures to monitor ecosystem health, better green standards for the development, and enabled ownership transfer of the wetland and nearby woods to the city.
I seconded a portion of the amendments with Councillor M. Wilson which spoke to updating the Energy and Environmental Assessment Report. The developer will be required to outline specific sustainability measures including consideration of measures such as heat pumps, green roofs, solar installations or other onsite renewable energy generation, greywater re-use, and permeable paving treatments.
It is through collaboration like that which was demonstrated on this file on Wednesday that this new term of Council’s commitments can be seen and felt. Personally, it is so refreshing compared to the previous term.
New Poet in Place Program
During Planning Committee, I was pleased to move the approval of a new Poet in Place program. The Tourism and Culture Division will implement a two-year pilot program from January 2024 to December 2025 that will link a formal civic poet role with placemaking as a way to further Hamilton’s identity as a community.
The Poet in Place will write and read poetry, deliver workshops, and implement placemaking projects and performances of original works of poetry or spoken word. Applications will open Q4 2023 and the position to be filled and program is set to begin Q1 2024. My office will certainly help get the word out when the application cycle opens. Stay tuned.
Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income
We often speak to the need for upstream solutions. Basic Income is exactly that and it delivered transformative impacts to over 1000 residents who participated in the provincial pilot program that abruptly ended in 2019. Many Ward 3 residents were among the 1000 in the pilot and when it was prematurely stopped, it created an irresponsible tail spin for many participants and was a form of systemic harm.
I was happy to support Clr McMeekin’s motion at Council that calls for collaborative action among higher levels of government to put in place basic income to transform lives and enable people to thrive in healthier communities.
It would mean our neighbours could afford housing, food, medicine, or further their educational aspirations. Basic Income has stabilizing power. It is among the real, tangible supports that has demonstrated economic return on investment.
Image of houses in the ward. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates"
Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups Are Back!
The #OurWard3 team will be hosting our Office Pop-Ups in the community across different neighbourhoods to connect one-on-one with neighbours to help address your questions, concerns, or ideas.
Many residents shared how much they appreciated connecting in this way last year. Not all of our neighbours have access to internet or email. We will be putting up posters in adjacent shops and with other stakeholders to help get the word out in advance of what time and date we will be in your area.
Our first pop-up is scheduled for Thursday June 15 at 9:30am at Indwell’s Royal Oaks (225 East Ave N). Light refreshments will be provided. I look forward to connecting with you and offering access to the support of my team soon!
Sherman-Wilson Two-Way Roadway Community Meeting - June 22: 6:30pm at 196 Wentworth St. N (at the side entrance)
On June 22nd from 6:30pm-8pm, my office will be co-hosting a community meeting with Public Works staff to get your input on two upcoming roadway reconstruction projects.
Both of these projects are LRT related and will address subsurface infrastructure, including water mains, while also providing an opportunity to redo our roadways with a complete streets design. Wilson Street from Victoria to Sherman will be converted to two-way and Phase 1 Sherman Ave from King St southbound to the tracks will require resurfacing due to underground infracture work.
The meeting will take place at the Community Kitchen space at Mission Services Centre at 196 Wentworth St N. Please use the side entrance. RSVP is required to ensure we do not exceed capacity. Please email my office at ward3@hamilton.ca or 905-546-2702.
A photo of Ward 3 from the Mountain Brow with smoky skies from the Quebec wildfires. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Service Updates"
Air Quality Health Index Update
Clean Air Day in Canada was this past June 7th, and what a time it was to be celebrating this day. Even on a “good” day, our airshed in Hamilton is seriously compromised. Many neighbourhoods in the City and throughout #OurWard3 are breathing air laden with particulate matter and a funky mix of contaminants, but now we’ve got wildfire smoke drifting in from across the country, and suddenly those good-ish days are far worse - especially if you are in an at-risk population.
Here are some ways the City is supporting the public and our community during this period of poor air quality:
Support for vulnerable residents:
Libraries, recreation and drop-in centres are available to individuals in need of relief
Housing-Focused Street Outreach Team is continuing to visit the City’s unhoused residents to advise on the air quality issues as well as supports available
Hamilton Paramedic Service Social Navigator Program continues to visit unhoused residents to provide health supports and linkage to services
Other Updates:
Ban on open air burning – Hamilton Fire issued an immediate ban on all open air burning in the City of Hamilton. This ban suspends all approved Open Air Burning Permits.
For more information, please check Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index for Hamilton and the latest special air quality statement to determine the current risk levels and see their advisories about exposure. For general information about forest fire smoke and its impact on your health, please the Ontario Ministry of Health’s public information webpage. You can also see real-time data from Hamilton’s air quality and airborne pollution monitoring network.
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre Closure
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre will be closed from June 13th to 22nd for regular maintenance. To find a rec centre near you, visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/recreation/locations.
Better Homes Hamilton Program
The City of Hamilton is on a mission to acheive net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. One City Council approved initiative is the design and development of a Home Energy Retrofit Program Opportunity, previously known as HERO, has now been rebranded as the Better Homes Hamilton program.
The Better Homes Hamilton (BHH) program is meant to provide a low barrier access to property owners with upfront capital in order to retrofit their buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency, and to live more comfortably. The pilot is scheduled to launch before the end of 2023 with the objective to provide up to $1 million in loans to homeowners. The pilot stage of the program is targeting approximately 50 homes with each property able to receive a maximum no-interest loan of $20,000.
You can now sign up for the pre-launch list as an interested home owner.
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Crown & Press Gallery Grand Opening - June 16th
Crown & Press Gallery invites you to their Grand Opening on Friday June 16, from 5pm-10pm. Admire curated art, mingle with several of our artists, and kick back with live music starting at 7pm. You can relax in their renovated art deco space and enjoy their cafe menu with espresso, coffee, and tea options.
Hamilton Public Library - Barton Branch Planting Event - June 17th
The Green Venture team and community volunteers will be coming together to beautify the boulevard gardens with native plants at the Hamilton Public Library Barton Branch on Saturday June 17 from 9:30am-12:30pm. For more information please visit: Beautify Barton: Planting at Hamilton Public Library - Green Venture
Pinch Plant Shop Soft Opening - June 17th
There’s a new Plant Shop in town! Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop is excited to finally open their doors and welcome all of their neighbours and future friends at their new 183 Sherman Ave N location on Saturday June 17th from 10am-3pm.
They’re still building their kitchen, but the rest of the building is ready, and they’ll be offering a variety of indoor tropicals. Joining in the festivities will be: Ace Gang, Sunny Pie Rolls, Reform Goods, Community Fridges Hamilton, Noise Pollution Rock School, and Together Design Studio. If all of this wasn’t enough, you can top off your visit with a slushie and a free slice of cake!
Join Us for Open Streets Hamilton! - June 18th
On Sunday, join me and hopefully hundreds of others on June 18, 2023 from 10am to 2pm for Open Streets Hamilton! King Street East will be closed to vehicle traffic and opened for participants to walk, roll, cycle and stroll along this 3.6 km temporary park. Please note, the King Street closure will begin at 7am and re-open by 4pm.
From Gage Avenue to John Street you can participate in family friendly activations at John Street and Ferguson Station as well as future LRT stops in #OurWard3:
Wellington Hub - trishaw rides with Cycling Without Age, The Listening Bench, Zumba & Movement with YWCA, People Make Hamilton sign, LRT engagement and info, and E-Scooter Demos with Bird Canada.
Wentworth Hub - a multisport zone featuring ParaSport Ontario with 12 wheelchair basketball sport chairs to try, a Pickleball Court and activities with Forge FC and Hamilton Tiger Cats, plus you can visit the HSR redesign consultation bus.
Sherman Hub - New Hope’s bicycle rodeo and cycling education along with a bike repair station, Green Venture’s lightning bike and the Hamilton Public Library Bookmobile, and just east of Sherman you’ll find Hamilton Bike Share at their King and Barnesdale hub.
Gage Hub - “snack size” movement classes from The Move Room, family friendly activities with City of Hamilton Recreation and Boys and Girls Club, WILD Outside scavenger hunt, a native plant giveaway, a pirate ship with FrancoFEST, Roller Derby, and environmental services interactive displays at Morellie Rec Centre.
The street will be transformed into additional public space with physical activity stations
and other activities throughout. And many of our business neighbours will be taking advantage of the increased pedestrian realm with more seating and spaces to shop.
Call to Action - Keith Neighbourhood Community Clean-Up - June 24th
The Inner City Outreach Ministry has partnered with Action Pest Control Services and #OurWard3 Office to host a community clean-up day on Saturday, June 24th from 9am-2pm.
We are looking for volunteers to help in this neighbourhood effort. Will you join us? If you can, please email my office at ward3@hamilton.ca.
Restricted items include: yard waste, concrete, tires, paint cans, and food waste. For more information, please contact Karen at 905-318-1242.
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Proposed Encampment Protocol
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, communities across Canada have increasingly grappled with the need to find solutions that address the needs of both people living in encampments and the broader communities they exist within.
Encampments are the result of several conditions including:
a lack of affordable housing, particularly with supports;
limited emergency shelter space;
an opioid epidemic;
untreated and exacerbated mental health issues;
a broader lack of affordability for basic needs; and
insufficient resources at a municipal level to address these issues.
As such, encampments are likely to exist for the foreseeable future in lieu of significant intervention from other levels of government. The needs of people experiencing homelessness and the regulatory and governance landscape has evolved over the past few years, which means that the City of Hamilton needs to change with it to ensure we can compassionately and responsibility support and assist unhoused Hamilton residents.
As we reported in the previous e-newsletter, the public engagement on the encampment protocol is ready to roll. Also, there will be an in-person public engagement session at City Hall on Tuesday June 27 at City Hall from 7pm-9pm.
Board of Health’s Governance Structure
Over the past several years, good governance in public health has increasingly been a local, provincial, and national focus. Locally, the Board of Health has discussed changing their governance structure since March 2021 following community delegations and governance education sessions.
In February 2023, Council directed Public Health Services staff to engage in consultation to identify issues and opportunities with the current Board of Health’s governance structure. Based on the results of this consultation, staff are to report back with options and recommendations for changing the Board of Health’s governance structure to the Governance Review Sub-Committee by the end of Q3, 2023.
To learn more and provide your feedback, please visit: https://engage.hamilton.ca/bohgovernance.
Apply to Serve on a City of Hamilton Agency, Board or Sub-Committee
Get on board! Recruitment to serve on a City of Hamilton agency, board and sub-committee is now open. For more information, the full list of positions and how to apply, visit http://hamilton.ca/Committees.
Recreation Leader in Training (Ages 13-16)
Calling all 13-16 year olds! Start your journey to become a successful camp or recreation leader in #HamOnt. Register for the upcoming Recreation Leader in Training session (July 10 – 14, 2023) today! For more info and to register, please visit: http://hamilton.ca/youthrec.