Dear Neighbours,

These are difficult economic times for most households as we see more and more neighbours turning to food banks and emergency food services while struggling to make their rent or mortgage payments. This is why I moved to co-sponsor a motion with the Peel and Halton Regions at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference last week calling on the federal government to increase national funding to address food insecurity and the upstream issues rooted in the rising cost of groceries. (More on my time at the FCM annual conference below.)

Thank you to the over forty neighbours who attended our Ward 3 Office Pop-Up at the Tropical Greenhouse in Gage Park this week.

Encampments and rising rates of theft and crime were the primary focus of the concerns and issues raised by residents in the Delta West area. You will see further updates related to encampments with a link to the report we mentioned in our discussions in this issue of the newsletter. Residents are welcome to delegate on the matter at General Issues Committee next Wednesday by submitting a request to the City Clerk Office via email at clerk@hamilton.ca or by calling 905-546-2489. Video submissions are due by 2pm on Monday June 17, and written submissions due by 12pm on Tuesday June 18th.

I appreciate that many feel their patience and compassion are waning, and this feels difficult to admit for many. I hear you and acknowledge that the egregious and negative behaviours some are being subjected to are wholly unacceptable. We all must act as good neighbours, whether our homes are permanent or temporary. And, without all levels of government working in a coordinated way, we will not achieve the housing and health solutions needed to solve the chronic homelessness, let alone manage the emergency of people turning to living encamped across our city.

With that said, the city is functioning full throttle to address this as best we can. And I remain committed to working on the solutions to end homelessness we need leadership on.

As always, please reach out to my office for any city service related support by emailing ward3@hamilton.ca or by calling 905-546-2107.

Yours in community,

Councillor Nrinder Nann

Photo of Hamilton City Hall in summer with florals. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Council & Committee Updates".

AIR CONDITIONING BENEFIT PROGRAM EXPANSION

In an effort to support our most vulnerable residents in what is being predicted to be another record breaking hot summer, Council approved the temporary expansion of a subsidy for air-conditioners for low income households.

The temporary expansion of the current provincial Social Assistance program to eligible low income residents requires households to meet the Statistic Canada’s Low Income Measure threshold (as outlined on the Special Supports page of the City website), and provide medical documentation of a severe medical condition where, without an air conditioner the symptoms of the medical condition are likely to deteriorate, increase, become episodic or cause hospitalization.

The air conditioner benefit will be available from June 13th until September 30, 2024. There is limited additional funding allocated for this low-income expansion, and the City will be administering the program on a first come, first served basis, to support up to 150 eligible households.

Eligible applicants, who must be CIty of Hamilton residents, will receive a one-time, $350.00 financial subsidy per household to purchase an energy efficient air conditioner to assist with cooling an area within their residence. They will also be required to provide proof of purchase within 30 days. A survey questionnaire will be sent to eligible residents in September 2024 as part of evaluating the expansion of the program.

More information about the benefit, eligibility and how to apply is available on the City’s website at Special Supports Program | City of Hamilton and/or by calling the Special Supports Program at 905-546-2590.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

After robust community and stakeholder engagement, Council approved the final piece to the Stormwater Management Program which helps protect the public, private property, infrastructure and the environment from flooding, erosion and poor surface water quality.

Currently, the City primarily funds its Stormwater Management Program through its water and wastewater utility revenues. Under the existing Water, Wastewater and Stormwater rate structure properties contribute to stormwater services based on the amount of municipal potable water that is used.

The new Stormwater Rate Structure will apply to virtually all developed properties within the City and, therefore, will include several thousand properties currently not contributing to the City’s Stormwater Management Program by virtue of not being connected to the City’s water and wastewater system (examples include parking lots, storage facilities and properties outside the urban boundary and rural settlement area boundaries without access to the municipal water and / or wastewater systems).

I want to thank all our residents from Ward 3 and across our urban, suburban and rural communities who provided important input. Your experiences and perspectives helped shape many aspects of this program. You can review the report from GIC to dig into more details on the stormwater incentives and credits.

REDUCING HOMELESSNESS & MANAGING ENCAMPMENTS

Next Wednesday, June 19th, the General Issues Committee will address staff’s revisions to the Encampment Protocol and recommendations to help reduce homelessness across Hamilton.

These changes come from a review of what’s working and what needs to change as the City continues to manage encampment locations while also working on expanding shelter, transitional and supportive housing solutions.

You can review the report here.

Some important encampment related updates tied to a report coming to GIC next Wednesday:

Responding to criminal activity at encampments will be addressed moving forward by HPS.
Proximity radius will now include long-term care facilities, and funeral homes as noncompliant
Increased outreach in order to help connect those living encamped with the support and services that they need connection to
Increase to shelter system capacity and reduce barriers to include spaces for pets, more beds for men’s, women’s and couples in the local shelter system.

FCM UPDATE:

I wanted to provide an update on key highlights stemming from the FCM Conference in Calgary last week.

RESOLUTIONS
There were three regular resolutions and 2 emergency resolutions heard, debated and voted on at the Resolutions Plenary.

Strengthening RCMP Recruitment & Retention - For many rural and small communities across Canada, RCMP is a critical public service agency to assist with safety and address crime. This resolution acknowledges the drop in the number of RCMP officers and staff to meet the need and called for more adequate recruitment support. This resolution passed.

Biodiversity Protection & Restoration Funding for Municipalities - In an effort to protect more federal and provincial lands key for biodiversity protection, this motion called on the FCM to call on the federal government to purchase and protect lands containing sensitive ecosystems and species at risk within their boundaries as part of achieving the 30% by 2030 commitments to protect biodiversity. This resolution did no pass but will be lifted up by the Climate Caucus for further work within the Standing Committees.

Federal Support for Food Banks - This resolution calls on the federal government to provide one-time emergency funding to Food banks nationwide. It was co-sponsored by the City of Hamilton and both the Peel and Halton Regions. Essentially, it recognizes that municipalities have had to stop gap emergency funding to ensure our residents are not food insecure and that our emergency food programs don't have to turn people away. As you know, Hamilton allocated $1.25M in our budget and over $600K through our grant funds. Peel region – $4M, Halton - $3M. This resolution passed.

Enhancing Shelter Supports for Women and Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence - As you all know from our local work at Council, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence has skyrocketed in rates of incidents nationwide. This resolution calls on the federal government to create a permanent fund, open to municipalities and community organizations, for construction of shelters, transitional, and supportive housing for survivors. It also calls on the feds to work with provinces and territories to provide permanent operational funding for shelters and transitional and supportive housing for survivors. This resolution passed.

Harassment of Elected Municipal Officials - As you may be aware from recent news stories about elected representatives of equity seeking communities stepping down due to the degree of harassment, threats and violence they are subjected to from peers, increasing hostile public both in person and on social media, this motion calls on the federal government to work with provinces, territories and municipalities to identify and implement measures to protect elected officials - especially women, members of Indigenous, Black and racialized people, 2SLGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities from harassment, intimidation, and threats thereby reinforcing a unified front to safeguard democracy. This resolution also passed.
TABLE OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elections for officers and directors occurs annually. Ontario Caucus was a hot one. Eighteen excellent candidates stood for election to be one of the 9 elected Board Members. I was elected along with the following: Michelle Boileau - Timmins, Rory Nisan - Halton, Rowena Santos - Peel, Skylar Franke - London, Alysson Storey - Chatham-Kent, Robin McPherson - St Catherines, Iain Lovatt - Whitchurch-Stouffville, Diana Huson - Region of Niagara.

The table officers were confirmed and the final list will be shared at a later date with a link for you to check out.

As mentioned at Council on Wednesday, I feel honoured to roll up my sleeves and lean in on the Board table to advocate for Hamilton and all cities on key policy changes and funding we need the federal government to deliver on. I have been effective on the Standing Committees over the past year and looking forward to having voting power for the year ahead to advance gains for our city.
KEY POLICY RELEASE - New Municipal Growth Framework
I have reported on this before as I served on the Standing Committee that oversaw the development of this new framework document. However, as a refresher, the FCM is calling on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to commit to a new Municipal Growth Framework to modernize municipal funding.

This would consist of reforming how we fund local governments and support Canadians' quality of life, while heling to address our most pressing national challenges, including infrastructure renewal, climate change, public safety, and housing and homelessness.

It is time to end the antiquated system of funding and modernize instead to enable cities to become communities of the future by resourcefully addressing the challenges we face.

Aside from this policy work, there were also a number of incredible study tours and workshops to enable councillors, mayors and staff to learn from the best practices of other cities. The backdrop of Calgary, AB was also inspiring. The changes they have made in their downtown and adjacent communities has been remarkable. From their LRT line, to a new $500M convention centre that was a work of architectural excellence, a stunning example of excellence in place making at their central library, to mixed communities focused on walkability and local amenities.

The local water emergency all too well illustrated the need for infrastructure investment for municipalities. We all put in our best effort to conserve water and learn from Calgary’s emergency response to the situation with deep empathy.

It was all a great opportunity to be reinvigorated in the love for cities and the work of public office for our residents.

A aerial photo of Ward 3. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates".

WARD 3 POP-UP AT OPEN STREETS - JUNE 23

The #OurWard3 Team will be hosting a pop-up at the upcoming installment of Open Streets on Sunday June 23rd from 10am-2pm

Our pop-ups are a way for me and my team to connect with residents one-on-one about municipal issues and to work with you directly. The format will be first come, first served, and you can expect to be greeted as well as be asked to provide contact information so we can follow up with you as needed.

These mini appointments will be 5-10mins. We will aim to address your issue on the spot and if it requires follow, we will aim to be in touch with you within a week.

We will be located at the Sherman Area mini hub between Barnesdale Ave N and Sherman Ave N.

We look forward to seeing you there!

GAGE PARK ELECTRICAL VAULT INVESTMENT

In an effort to align with the construction work currently underway for the Rosedale Tennis Court in Gage Park, Councillor Hwang and I jointly allocated an upset limit of $230,000 from both the Ward 3 and Ward 4 Capital Infrastructure Reserve Accounts to replace an out of date electrical vault.

This vault helps power the tennis club, lawn bowling facility, and adjacent Gage Park amenities.

The construction of the tennis club is being paid for by the club with the city assisting with a repayable loan. I am also allocated funding to address the fencing around the community garden in the same area that needs replacing.

BIRCH AVE GREENSPACE

Local GALA resident Brenda Duke attended the Public Works Committee on March 20, 2023, to make a request of staff to supply water and support services for volunteer gardens in Wards 3 and 4. Specifically for Ward 3, support was requested for the Birch Avenue Green Space (which is owned by Hydro One).

Staff were directed through a motion at the April 3, 2023, Public Works Committee to:

Review the delegation requests from the Public Works Committee on March 20, 2023, regarding support for water access to help maintain the Birch Avenue Green Space and report back with possible recommendations that could also be applied city wide where applicable;
That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute any required agreement(s) and ancillary documents, with such terms and conditions in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

An investigation that staff conducted to determine the legal requirements, labour, cost, and coordination implications of formalizing an agreement with Hydro One for the gardens at the Birch Avenue Green Space supports the investigation of increased support for volunteer pollinator patches and gardens throughout City of Hamilton parks.

Further, the due diligence also seeks to expand the existing agreement with Hydro One to allow the volunteer gardens to continue to be located on the property but managed by the City of Hamilton, and to report back with enhancements to support the community gardens that would oversee and support community-led garden spaces across the City.

In 2024, support will be given to both the Birch Avenue Green Space gardens and the Pipeline Trail gardens, and the costs will be allocated to General Horticultural Maintenance.

Staff are directed in recommendation of item (1) above to submit a budget request for consideration as part of the 2025 budget process to continue to support these locations for future years.

Staff are directed in recommendation of item (2) above to report back on costs and resources to expand the community gardens program.

An understanding of the actual costs of support for the two garden locations is anticipated to be understood once the cost of this work is determined at the end of the 2024 growing season. In the meantime, I remain committed to ensure our resident leaders can continue to play a role in shaping the future of these community-led and much needed green spaces in #OurWard3.

Photo of someone waving a Pride Flag. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Services Updates".

ENGAGE WITH PRIDE

Pride: the feeling of joy and satisfaction from one's own achievements or from the achievements of others.

Pride is recognized and celebrated each June as a time to come together to recognize the contributions, experiences, and achievements of the 2SLGBTQ1A+ community. It is a time to ground ourselves in the commitment to cultivate places and opportunities to engage our community in inclusive ways that honour, respect, and embrace the role of pride in shaping our city.

The rainbow flag or pride flag is a symbol of 2SLGBTQIA+ pride, community inclusion, diversity, unity, and visibility. Although the rainbow flag is used widely, it is not the only flag. Did you know, there are over 20 different flags that represent the intersectional diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two spirit communities? Learn more about Canada’s Pride Season

This Pride Month, our Public Engagement Team is engaging residents to better understand the role of pride in shaping the City's community and public engagement efforts. We believe that diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences help to shape City-led projects, policies, and initiatives that are reflective and inclusive of Hamiltonians. Input and participation from this project will inform internal best practices related to planning for meaningful, inclusive, and equity-centered engagement.

To have your say, please complete the survey at: https://engage.hamilton.ca/engaging-with-pride

Photo of several children in a garden looking at flowers. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Community Events & Opportunities".

COMMUNITY MEETING: AIR POLLUTION

Are you concerned about Hamilton’s industrial air pollution? Neighbours in the community are taking action! Join us!

Friday June 21, 2024
6:30pm-8:00pm
Hamilton Craft Studios
121 Princess St, 3rd Floor

Come to:

meet one another in a respectful, friendly atmosphere
share your experiences with air pollution
discuss what we can do to change our air quality

Please email organizers for wheelchair access instructions, or for more information at breathe.easy.hamilton@gmail.com

COMMUNITY PRIDE FUNDRAISER - JUNE 22

Happy Pride, Hamilton!! Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop, EveryBodyCrew, and Hamilton Craft Studios are so excited to #teamuptodreamup for a Community Pride Fundraiser in support of Spreqtrum! Whether you identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or consider yourself an active ally, please join us on Saturday, June 22nd from 11-3 for a day of celebration, fun, community building and PRIDE!

What’s going on?

Pride March!

Meet up with EveryBodyCrew at Pinch by 11am for a 2km walk along Sherman, Princess, Birch, Barton, and through the neighbourhood to commemorate Pride in the way we always have - moving forward together!! We will be prioritizing a barrier-free route and no one will be left behind - move at your own pace! We’ll be finishing our route on Princess St so we can all enjoy some good eats and market treats.

Community BBQ!

Head to Hamilton Craft Studios backlot to enjoy a classic fundraiser BBQ with some “fancy” upgrades, courtesy of the team at Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop. Vegan options will be available, and reminder that we are #alwaysnutfree!

Queer Makers Market!

Don’t forget to check out all the market treats at our Queer Makers Market, stocked with some of the exceptional queer makers at Hamilton Craft Studios and nearby! A full list of makers will be shared soon, so stay tuned!

Pride has come to mean a lot of things over the years, but we get to choose how we can celebrate and for us it means uplifting and cheering on our queer siblings with our voices, our bodies and our resources!

Help us raise money for an incredible organization in Hamilton with a high standard of accountability and commitment to continued learning and active allyship! Join us in supporting queer makers and entrepreneurs, because their art is significant in a world where storytelling is how we walk in our humanity and we desperately need more of that.

Let your body take up space as a visual reminder that all bodies are good bodies and all bodies are deserving of safety and a future full of love and joy. It’s going to be some great energy - we hope you can make it!

CHILDREN’S GARDEN PARTY - JUNE 22

The Children’s Garden Project (the "Children's Garden"), an all volunteer community initiative dedicated to providing safe and inclusive outdoor spaces for children, proudly announces the return of its annual FREE event, the Children's Garden Party.

This event will be running alongside Centre Francophone Hamilton's FrancoFEST 2024 and will include a blend of entertainment, education, and community engagement, tailored for families and children. The celebration is scheduled to take place in the serene surroundings of The Children’s Garden at Gage Park, Hamilton.

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: The Children’s Garden, Gage Park, Hamilton

The Children's Garden Party will offer an array of activities designed to delight and inspire the community. Highlights of the day will include captivating performances and live shows, hands-on arts and crafts stations, guided garden tours, educational trivia games, creative workshops, and an assortment of tasty refreshments. Visit the Eventbrite page for more information and to book your tickets.

STEELPORT COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE - JUNE 24

Join Slate Asset Management for a sneak peek into the future of local industry and community amenities at Steelport, a world-class industrial employment park that will reimagine the Hamilton waterfront.

What changes are proposed for the former Stelco lands? What could revitalized industrial and public spaces look like? How will Steelport connect with surrounding neighbourhoods? How can the community get involved?

Find out more at Slate’s drop-in community open house, where we’ll share updates and information on the proposed Steelport development.

Monday June 24 (drop in anytime)
3pm-7pm
1050 Burlington St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 4K6 (access from Gage Ave N)

HAMILTON-HALTON WALK FOR LUPUS ONTARIO - JULY 7

Please join us for the in-person Hamilton-Halton WALK for Lupus Ontario on Sunday, July 7!

The WALK for Lupus is Lupus Ontario’s largest provincial fundraising and awareness event. It began over 23 years ago with a single walk and has grown into an event involving thousands of participants throughout Ontario. Over the years, the WALK for Lupus has raised over $1 million to fund the Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Research Fellowship, support and education programs for lupus patients and their families, and advocacy projects aimed at improving programs and services for lupus patients.

Registration is available at: https://secure3.convio.net/lupon/site/TR/Events/General?pg=entry&fr_id=1080

Air Conditioning Benefit Program, Stormwater Management, Reducing Homelessness & Encampments