Council Requests RCMP Investigation of Ford Government to Include Urban Boundary Expansion, Winterizing Public Washrooms,
Dear Neighbours,
There are so many Spooktacular houses ready to greet #OurWard3 trick or treaters. Thank you to everyone able to get on the Halloween fun and for sharing your pictures with us to post on my social media channels. Some of your displays really do make for a good excuse to go for a longer walk than usual!
Remember to use your Safe Halloween tips and have some non-perishable foods to offer those collecting for local food hampers.
The City’s 2024 budget process is ready to kick off with your input. The first public delegation is scheduled for Monday, November 6, 2023. Delegates will be heard in the order they are received at the city, and limited to a presentation time of 5 minutes. Applications to speak virtually, in person or to provide a written delegation are due by 12 noon on November 3, 2023. Applications to provide a video delegation are due by 12 noon on November 2, 2023. Delegation requests should be sent to clerk@hamilton.ca or by completing the Submit Request to Speak form on the City’s website.
This newsletter has many updates from Council and specific to Ward 3. Please be sure to scroll all the way through to ensure you don’t miss any important information.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
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COUNCIL REQUESTS RCMP INVESTIGATION OF FORD GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE URBAN BOUNDARY EXPANSION
On Wednesday, Councillor Maureen Wilson tabled a motion for Council to request that the RCMP expand their Greenbelt investigation to include the circumstances and amendments that led to the province forcing urban boundary expansion in Hamilton.
Recent reporting by the CBC (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/official-plan-condo-building-1.7006380) reveals the concerning degree to which private developers not only influenced, but also wrote portions into Hamilton’s Official Plan, and that these additions took place with no consultation and no notice to the City of Hamilton.
City building needs to remain a function of democratically elected City Councils, our local expert staff, and with the fulsome input of our residents. It is undemocratic, and criminal level corruption, to have private-for-profit developers who also provided personal financial favours to the Ford family rewrite Hamilton’s Official Plan.
WINTERIZING PUBLIC WASHROOMS
In order to improve public washroom services in parks across Hamilton, Council has approved a winterization plan that enables better and more equitable access, and the feedback City wide has been an overwhelming, “thank you for doing this”.
In the 2018-2022 Term of Council, the availability of public washrooms became a clear priority in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic when few public washrooms were available and parks were heavily used.
Requests for year-round access to public washrooms has been a topic residents have raised for years prior to the pandemic as well. Families, seniors, children, joggers, walkers, folks with medical conditions, and those simply outside moving about our city have expressed repeatedly to Council the need for increased access to public washroom facilities. Universal access is the key of quality public service.
Phase 1 of the winterization pilot project included assessing all existing washrooms to determine what was required from a capital and operating perspective. Based on this, staff identified the washrooms that would be the quickest to open as they only required minor adjustments. In Ward 3, that included the winterization of Woodland Park and two Gage Park bathroom facilities (spray pad and baseball diamonds).
The pilot project ended on May 1, 2023, and in August, a public survey was completed. Feedback from the community overwhelmingly supports the continuation of the program as a value-added service. Staff also recommended addressing safety concerns where needed and to enhance the types of materials used to ensure the capital investments are long lasting.
Phase 2 expansion is to include JC Beemer Park. The chart below outlines the washrooms with winter access:
Some residents have written to my office, implying that this winterization strategy is a secret ploy on the part of Council to enable further encampments in city parks. This could not be further from the truth.
Encampments are not the solution to our housing crisis. Council has been united in stating so. In the meantime, the Encampment Protocol recognizes the need to ensure access to hygiene facilities and services for the health and wellbeing of those living encamped and those who live in proximity to public spaces with an encampment.
Council continues to focus on solving the homeless crisis by advocating to the provincial and federal governments for increased funding for supportive housing. In the meantime, access to bathroom facilities is universal, meaning they are open to use by all, regardless of their housing status.
Those few who are demanding that the city not move forward with universal winter washroom access to prevent houseless residents from accessing the facilities are putting forward an argument counter to human rights.
All this to say, Council approved the continuation of the program this week.
I based my decision on the balance of feedback my office and city staff have received about the program overall. There are many Hamiltonians, of varying needs, who appreciate better and year-round access to public washrooms in parks. As a member of Council it is essential for me to listen to the varying viewpoints and govern in a way that ensures public services are delivered well and in a universal manner to ensure equity in access.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING INVESTMENT & CITY HOUSING HAMILTON UPDATE
On October 10th, the Federal government invested $93.5 million to help fast-track the creation of over 2,600 housing units in Hamilton over the next three years, and incentivize the construction of 9,000+ homes throughout the next decade.
This investment represents the largest contribution from the Housing Accelerator Fund received by a municipality. London received a $74 million deal in September and the week of October 2nd, Vaughn cemented a $59 million agreement.
The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4B initiative designed to spur the construction of 100,000 homes across Canada by 2026-2027.
As we continue to face the collective consequences of the housing crisis, this program focuses on creating a range of housing which includes some affordable housing. It is important to note that the federal government defines affordable as 125% of the average market rate. With the market rates being so out of reach compared to income, it will be key to focus on developing housing that current Hamiltonians can afford and are looking for.
These funds will also go to upgrade infrastructure and remove other barriers to construction in an effort to keep the city affordable amid a housing crisis. Some of the investment will also go into high-density development near future LRT stations and make city-owned lands and brownfields available for development.
CITY HOUSING HAMILTON UNIT RENOVATIONS ON TARGET
At the CHH Board meeting this past week, we received an update on the 476 units repair program I called for. To date, 187 units have been repaired and are now occupied. The remaining 324 units are either in repair or slated to be in 2024. CHH staff are confident we will meet the target date of December 2024 for all 476 units to be renovated and occupied. This will significantly address the backlog of units which were sitting vacant due to needing state of good repairs. While also enabling hundreds of household to get off the wait list and into truly affordable housing.
COUNCIL OPPOSES THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT’S PROPOSED CHANGES TO ITS APPROVALS & PERMISSION PROCEDURES
Kerry Le Clair, #OurWard3 Community Climate Action Coordinator prepared a motion for me to present to Council this past Wednesday to oppose changes to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approvals and permissions procedures for waste management systems, stormwater management, and water-taking.
As we face a looming climate crisis and ongoing chronic environmental impacts to the human health of Hamilton residents, we need more environmental protections, not fewer.
The City of Hamilton is a committed partner in the protection and stewardship of the natural environment. Ward 3 has a high concentration of waste facilities, that as a sector, have a typically poor record of compliance with existing environmental regulations, according to past Auditor General’s report.
Again, we need more oversight from the MECP, not less.
The Province’s justification for these proposed changes is “to reduce delays on projects that matter most to Ontario communities, such as new housing and job-creating businesses”, but this feels like a weaponization of other priorities against environmental protection.
Under the proposed changes, the hauling of some types of hazardous waste would be deemed a less complex activity and no longer require stricter oversight by the MECP via an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and instead only require self-registration with the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR).
To provide additional clarification, this means that the ECA process involves MECP review and approval whereas the EASR program shifts this responsibility completely to the facility.
I’m pleased to share that this motion was passed unanimously by Council and will direct City Staff to submit comments to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) outlining concerns on the impacts that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ proposed changes will have, and will additionally see Mayor Horwath write to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on behalf of Council to express opposition to the proposed changes.
PROGRESS ON CITY’S CLIMATE CHANGE EFFORTS
Council approved new climate change initiatives that will help the City reduce emissions from City vehicles, improve low-carbon transportation options for residents and improve stormwater management through changes to City infrastructure.
These initiatives are funded through the existing City’s climate reserve set aside in the 2023 budget and represent actions to help Hamilton achieve its climate-related goals.
Investments approved by Council include:
$900,000 to purchase and install battery-powered units on 15 existing heavy fire vehicles, which can reduce idling by up to 45 per cent and overall engine use by up to 15 per cent, leading to greenhouse emissions reductions of 18 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year per vehicle.
$750,000 to purchase a minimum of 100 e-bikes and equipment to enable a three-year Bike Share E-Bike pilot in Hamilton to encourage more residents and visitors to choose a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation. These pedal assist E-Bikes enable riders and various strength and physical ability to opt into cycling, making our existing bike share program more accessible.
$350,000 to enhance existing secure bike parking facilities and establish similar facilities at transit hubs and major destinations, such as the Convention Centre, York Boulevard Parkade, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Eastgate Square Transit Terminal, City Hall and other locations to be determined through further consultation.
$350,000 to undertake targeted de-paving initiatives on City-owned lands, including boulevards and streets, to provide and test strategies for enhanced stormwater retention, tree canopy coverage and urban greening. Locations will be identified through priorities as set out by the Urban Forest Strategy.
$200,000 to provide a green makeover to six City of Hamilton parking lots by adapting the lots with more permeable and sustainable surfaces, such as porous asphalts, native tree and plant installation and incorporating bike parking and street furniture.
The new investments came forward alongside the Office of Climate Change Initiatives 2023 Climate Action Strategy Annual Update.
The update was received at the City’s General Issues Committee on October 18, 2023 and ratified by Council on October 25th. To read the complete update, please visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/news-notices/news-releases/city-making-progress-climate-change-efforts.
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PROPOSED STEELPORT LANDS REDEVELOPMENT
On October 11th, I attended the Steelport showcase presentation of the proposed redevelopment of former Stelco lands hosted by Slate. It was great to speak with Founding Partner, Blair Welch and Senior Vice President, Steven Dejonckheere about the transformational nature of the project.
Based on the renderings of the proposed development (see images below), #OurWard3 will finally have access to the harbour, significantly improved environment, and opportunities for amenities open to the community, along with, significant new employment lands and a new shipping hub.
My office is working closely with the City and the developers to ensure residents have an opportunity to provide input. Please stay tuned for an invitation to a community public information session as well as more fulsome updates in the coming months!
UPDATE ON THE AIDS NETWORK’S CONSUMPTION TREATMENT SERVICES (CTS) SITE
On October 11th, The AIDS Network (TAN) of Hamilton informed my office that they have decided to withdraw the applications to the Ministry of Health and Health Canada to operate a Consumption Treatment Services (CTS) site at 746 Barton Street East.
They support the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (HUCCHC) application for a second CTS site at 413 Cannon Street in their new Community Health Centre facility in Ward 3 and will explore how to support the efforts there.
To read their statement, please visit them on their website https://aidsnetwork.ca or on social media @theaidsnetwork.
I would like to thank TAN and every other organization and individual worker who tirelessly offer harm reduction and life saving services across our City. The need remains to be great in Hamilton, and Council remains committed to ensuring we do everything within our realm of authority to address the toxic drug and mental health crisis facing so many of our neighbourhoods.
MYRTLE PARK UPDATE
Earlier this Fall, neighbours reached out to my office with concerns about City contracted security vehicles parking on the pathways of the park and obstructing the use of the path for pedestrians.
To provide some context, Myrtle Park was one of the two locations identified in the Encampment Protocol to have 24 hour access to hygiene facilities for homeless residents, and including security officers to assist with ensure safe access for all.
After connecting with City Staff, my office can confirm that the original parking location of the security vehicle has been transitioned to the Myrtle Park building, where the security officer is stationed.
City Staff have also confirmed that should the parking location of the vehicle need to be moved in the future, they will ensure that the pedestrian pathways are not impeded.
SHERMAN AVE ROAD RESURFACING & ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
On October 24th, my office hosted a virtual public input meeting with City Staff on the Sherman Ave road works currently underway.
The scope of this project includes LRT-related capital works, and additional Complete Streets Project works that are focused on Sherman Ave N and the surrounding streets such as Main, Wentworth, and Wilson Sts. These include the following:
Watermain works on Sherman Ave N and Wentworth St. N
Sherman Ave N road resurfacing and sidewalk repairs that include AODA treatments, bumpouts and tree plantings
Bicycle lanes on both sides of Sherman Ave N between Cannon St. E and Maplewood Ave
Bicycle lanes on both sides of Main St. E as part of the Main St two-way conversion plan
Parking will be changed to primarily the east side of Sherman Ave N
Improvements to the Sherman - Dunsmure Ave intersection pedestrian signal (will be adding curb bump outs to reduce the turning radius for vehicles)
The multi-modal outcomes of this work aim to enhance the pedestrian and cycling realm through improved crossings and additional bicycle lanes with the goal being to balance the needs of all roadway users as part of Complete Streets.
The overall impacts of this work to motor traffic are expected to be relatively minor while maintaining access to existing driveways/properties, and the addition of trees along these roads will provide shelter from the sun, absorb some of the noise from vehicles, provide urban cooling, and variety to the street.
Staff feel confident they will achieve the completion date for Phase 1 on December 1st, 2023. Phase 2 will begin in the spring of 2024, with a focus south along Sherman Avenue, from Dunsmure through to Cumberland Ave.
My office recorded the meeting and has made it available for residents. For those interested in watching, please visit: https://youtu.be/gLeFgHmTxW4
It should be noted that the design for this project has not been entirely finalized yet and the Sustainable Mobility Team working on this project is still looking for feedback. To have your say, or submit any questions you may have, please reach out to sustainable.mobility@hamilton.ca.
WARD 3 TRILLIUM AWARD WINNERS
I had the pleasure of attending the official opening and ribbon cutting for this year’s Fall Mum & Garden Show last Thursday evening, which also served as a celebration of the City of Hamilton’s Trillium Garden Awards and the 2023 recipients.
This year, #OurWard3 had 20 recipients in the White category, and from that pool, one winner was selected for the Pink Category. We are proud to share that the winners in each category are:
White Award Winners
166 Maplewood Ave
34 Ontario Ave
88 Victoria Ave S
16 Case St
85 Fairholt Rd S
98 Kensington Ave S
941 Montclair Ave
76 Somerset Ave
70 Blake St
49 William St
44 Cheever St N
67 Rothsay Ave
71 Kensington Ave S
14 Clyde St
166 Balsam Ave N
114 Niagara St
119 Delaware Ave
110 Ontario Ave
Pink Award Winner
Sandra Mousseau
Congratulations to all the recipients and award winners!
To read more about the Trillium Awards and each specific category, please visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/awards-tributes/trillium-awards.
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MAJOR TRANSIT STATION AREAS (MTSAs)
In June 2022, Council approved a Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) for the City which, among other changes, added a new policy framework for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) to the Urban Hamilton Official Plan (UHOP) through OPA 167. OPA 167 was approved, with modifications, by the Province on November 4, 2022.
MTSAs are generally defined as the area within a 500 to 800 metre radius of a higher order transit station representing about a 10-minute walk. The City of Hamilton is currently planning for MTSAs in the lower city, including 17 LRT stations and 3 GO stations. We have 6 station areas in #OurWard3 and for most of them, the radial area is roughly the distance from Barton to Cumberland.
The existing City policies direct that Hamilton will delineate MTSAs through a future Amendment to the UHOP. The City is currently completing a detailed review of the MTSAs to estimate potential future population and job densities and identify areas of intensification, development or redevelopment potential.
The results of this study will help guide more detailed UHOP policies for growth within these areas and determine if the Growth Plan density targets can be achieved, or if alternative, lower-density targets need to be proposed for certain MTSAs based on local considerations.
To read more and include your say, please visit: https://engage.hamilton.ca/mtsa
ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT CUSTOMER SURVEY
Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) has teamed up with HSR’s Customer Experience and Innovation team to gather customer feedback through an online survey.
The general survey topics are:
User disabilities
Customer service satisfaction
DARTS
The Taxi Scrip program
Accessibility on HSR buses
Survey respondents also have the option to join the Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) Customer Panel.
The ATS Customer Panel will receive periodic invitations to participate in upcoming engagement activities such as surveys, focus groups and more.
Completion of this survey also includes an option to enter a contest for a chance to win 1 of 3 $50 Presto travel cards.
For more information and to access the survey, please visit: https://engage.hamilton.ca/atssurvey
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WARD 3 OFFICE POP UP AT HELPING HANDS STREET MISSION - NOV 16TH
My office has been hosting Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups in the community across different neighbourhoods to connect one-on-one with neighbours. These community based office hours are a great way to connect in-person with my team and I on City issues, services, and ideas.
Many residents continue to share how much they appreciate connecting in this way, as not all of our neighbours have access to the internet or email and are not able to reach us in those ways.
Our next pop-up is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th from 4pm to 6pm at Helping Hands Street Mission (349 Barton St. E). Light refreshments will be provided. I look forward to connecting with you and offering access to the support of my team soon!
This is one of the last 2 pop-ups of the year, so be sure to save the date and attend.
CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL: HALLOWEEN FOR HUNGER
Cathedral High School is once again seeking your support for their 15th annual Halloween for Hunger initiative.
Last year over 200 student volunteers visited thousands of homes in our community (Hamilton Centre-Wards 1,2,3 and 4) and collected over 10,000 pounds of food and toiletries. These donations kept Cathedral’s Annex Food Bank stocked for the year as it supported families in our community. Last year’s efforts were so successful that we have expanded to a new sorting location this year!
Cathedral students will be dropping off leaflets to local homes and businesses the week of October 18-24 and then returning on Halloween night to pick up donations.
For more information, please contact: friendschssannex@gmail.com
OTTAWA STREET BIA: HALLOWEEN HAUNT
Get into the spooky spirit on Saturday October 28th from 11am to 2pm at Ottawa St. BIA’s Halloween Haunt!
Neighbours can stroll up and down Ottawa Street North to get some free candy, enjoy free activities taking place at East Kiwanis Place parkette, and at other participating businesses along Ottawa Street North.
Free mini pumpkins will also be handed out on a first come first serve basis.
REFUGE NEWCOMER HEALTH DONATION DISTRIBUTION DAY POP-UP
Refuge Newcomer Health will be hosting a donation distribution day pop-up for Asylum Seekers and Refugee Claimants on Saturday October 28th from 10am-1pm at 754 Barton St. E.
Neighbours that may be interested in donating can do so at: info@newcomerhealth.ca
GREEN VENTURE DEPAVE DATE CHANGE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Join Green Venture on Saturday, October 28th from 10-12 and get 100s of native plants in the ground. Meet at 673 Barton St E (corner of Barton and Sherman) where over 70m2 of concrete was recently removed to make way for a new green space.
At 9 am volunteers can meet at Pinch: Bakery & Plant Shop (83 Sherman Ave N) for some coffee and treats to fuel up for the planting!
Sign up here to volunteer: https://greenventure.ca/volunteering/
NIAGARA PENINSULA ABORIGINAL AREA MANAGEMENT BOARD (NPAAMB) INDIGENOUS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING ORGANIZATION
The NPAAMB Indigenous Youth Employment & Training organization, a non-profit whose primary mandate is to provide employment and training solutions to prepare self-identifying urban Indigenous youth for a successful transition into the labour market, now has an office at 335 Barton St. E.
For more information on their hours and the services they provide, please visit: www.npaamb.com
STINSON COMMUNITY TOWN HALL WITH WARD 2 - DATE TBD
The Ward 3 and Ward 2 offices will be co-hosting a town hall in the Stinson Neighbourhood in the coming months. Please stay tuned for more details on the date and location of the meeting!