SOLVING THE HOMELESSNESS & HEALTH INEQUITY CRISIS, ADEQUATE HVAC SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS, THE HEALTH OF OUR WATERFRONT & MORE
Dear Neighbours,
I don’t know about you, but all those Halloween decorations in the store already have me filling my calendar with more of the amazing summer-vibe events still left to enjoy across the city.
One that I hope you will be joining me at is the Ward 3 Pool Party at Birge Pool on Thursday August 22 from 2:30pm-4:30pm. While we can’t host the party IN the pool, we will be just outside, set up with snacks, cool refreshments, giveaways and games! Reminder that Birge Pool is a zero-cost to users recreation service offered in #OurWard3 all summer long.
As shared before, my e-newsletter rate is tied to Council meetings. In the summer, we have two one-week consolidated Committee & Council meetings. As such, this August issue is a fulsome one. I hope you will take the time to read it in detail.
I will be joining the Mayor, Councillor Hwang, Councillor Kroetsch, Councillor Cassar, and staff in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario until Thursday, August 22nd to advocate for the investments and partnerships we need with the provincial government to address the humanitarian crisis of homelessness and health inequity unfolding in our neighbourhoods.
My office remains open, though our response rate will be delayed as my office team members cycle through their summer vacations. You can email us at ward3@hamilton.ca.
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".
SOLVING THE HOMELESSNESS & HEALTH INEQUITY CRISIS
Municipalities are on the frontlines of complex social and health issues, but lack adequate resources, tools and expertise to solve them. The rising number of homeless encampments and the human toll of the opioid crisis are a symptom of deeper system failures that hurt our social and economic prosperity. Also, residents and businesses are being impacted, and people need to feel safe in our downtowns and public spaces.
Province-wide there are approximately 235,000 people living homeless. The province’s shelter system is 97% full and tens of thousands of new supportive housing units are needed, according to a Housing Ministry document. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario recently shared that there are over 1,400 encampment sites in cities and towns across the province.
Encampments in Hamilton - Going Forward
Here in Hamilton, we have nearly 300 residents known to be living encamped while there are 1600 Hamiltonians experiencing homelessness on the By Name List. Over the past 12 months, the Encampment Protocol has provided City Staff and our community partners direction and guidance to try and address one of the most urgent crises facing our city. The Protocol was never intended to solve homelessness, rather to manage the reality resulting from unprecedented shelter and affordable housing supply shortages, lack of adequate mental health and harm reduction services access.
The City of Hamilton is also currently in a court challenge of our by-laws as it relates to people living encamped on city lands. Until the courts make a decision, the city must diligently manage the encampment crisis while we also work steadfastly towards the solutions that are needed to address the humanitarian crisis people are enduring in our city.
It is for this reason, that Council is unable to make further amendments to the proximal distance requirements for the Encampment Protocol that many neighbours wanted to see as it relates to proximity to private properties and pathways. That said, Mayor Horwath issued a directive to staff to prepare an implementation plan to enable sanctioned, temporary outdoor shelter site(s) and report back to GIC on September 18, 2024.
It is important to note, even with the provision of fully supported sanctioned encampment site(s), not all encamped residents will choose to live within the sanctioned sites. Building of sanctioned encampment sites will still require maintenance and enforcement of the encampment protocol throughout the City. In the report back anticipated in September at the General Issues Committee, we will hear more details in the recommendations from staff for this plan.
The City continues to urgently pursue realistic, financially responsible, and legally feasible solutions that respect the rights and priorities of the Hamilton community.
The Response of Higher Orders of Government
As Hamilton’s representative on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, I have advocated for the federal government to come to the table in real ways. The National Housing Advocate confirmed that the federal government has allocated $250 million in dedicated funding to address encampments. This encampment specific funding will support human rights-based community action plans that commit to a housing-first approach to ending encampments, and include supportive and transitional housing, housing-focused services, and rent supplements specifically dedicated to individuals living in encampments or experiencing homelessness.
They intend to have this money in communities starting in fall 2024 while also encouraging provincial and territorial partners to match the investment.
This Saturday, I will be travelling to Ottawa with the Mayor, other Councillors and staff as Hamilton’s official delegation to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to meet with Ministers in health and housing to advocate directly to the province to partner with the City of Hamilton on the real solutions.
I am cautiously optimistic that the province will meet the call to action from the Ontario Big City Mayor’s Solve the Crisis campaign to address the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded over the past four years in our communities.
Police Services and Encampments
In the meantime, I wanted to also clarify the role of policing as it relates to the compounding crisis of homelessness and health inequity.
Housing Services confirmed that HPS prioritizes their city-wide enforcement of the Encampment Protocol based on a series of criteria.
The first priority is where the whole encampment is non-compliant (in other words, there is nowhere in the area, or no changes to the encampment that could achieve compliance);
The second priority is where a compliant encampment could be achieved in an area, but there are various compliance issues.
It is very important to report any encampment locations where criminal activity has been witnessed directly to HPS. I have been assured that HPS continues to carry out their core policing business as it relates to addressing the criminal and/or violence occurring in every Ward 3 neighbourhood, including those adjacent to encampment sites and that which is reported at encampments.
I also want to help our residents understand Hamilton Police Service’s role and authority as it is related to drugs and mental health that residents have observed in public and in our parks. Superintendent Dave Hennick confirmed the following during the General Issues Committee on August 12th:
According to the federal Controlled Drugs Substances Act, officers have discretion to act according to the situation that an individual is in. This discretion may or may not lead to arrest. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/charter-charte/c5_1.html
In Ontario, the Mental Health Act permits police officers to apprehend, not arrest, individuals if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is acting in a disorderly manner and is a threat or at risk of causing harm to themselves or others.
Residents are reminded to report any active crime or theft that has occurred to the following:
To report criminal activity by phone, call 905-546-4925. If the address is West of Sherman, ask for Division 1 Area Crime Managers, if it is East of Sherman, ask for Division 2 Area Crime Managers
To report criminal activity using the HPS Online Reporting Tool: https://hamiltonpolice.on.ca/report-crime/online-reporting
To report criminal activity anonymously via Crime Stoppers: 905-522-TIPS or www.crimestoppershamilton.com
When making a report, please be sure to record or ask for an incident report number. This number is what my office needs to follow up with HPS on behalf of residents.
If you witness an emergency of any variety, please call 911.
For those of you who have read this fulsome update, I hope you can better understand what informs my decision making. It would be easy to just jump on the bandwagon of expressed fear and anger. However, I remain committed to balanced, evidence-based decision making and helping inform our community why this is not a scenario for retail politics.
It is time for transformation for our communities and each council member in every municipality, big/small, urban/rural, are all on the same page - we cannot do this alone and we need the Governments of Ontario and Canada to take immediate action to solve the homelessness and mental health crisis gripping our communities.
Please consider signing on to the Solve the Crisis campaign to send a clear message to call on the provincial government to take immediate action on homelessness and mental health issues.
ADEQUATE HVAC SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS
This week, I tabled a motion at the Public Health Committee requesting to work with the local school boards to determine their capacity to provide Hamilton schools with adequate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to address air quality and room temperature concerns.
We experienced an extended heat warning that lasted six days (June 17-22) during the school year of 2023-2024. To date, Hamilton has experienced three heat warning and/or extended heat warning events totaling 8 days (post June 22, 2024) during the 2024 secondary school summer session. Some school spaces are also used for summer camps.
As a parent of an elementary school student, I know first hand that there are several classrooms across the City of Hamilton that fail to have adequate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems year round.
And, many parents wrote to my office sharing that your children suffered heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses that also prevented their attendance at school.
Though funding for HVAC systems in our schools is solely a provincial jurisdiction, Hamilton Public Health has an important role to fulfill in understanding the health inequities in our communities. This data enables Hamilton City Council to advocate to the province for adequate funding to address the growing health concern as we experience more and longer heat warnings due to climate change.
The motion will be deliberated at the Public Health Committee meeting on September 3rd, 2024.
THE HEALTH OF OUR WATERFRONT
Natural disasters continue to increase as our climate changes. Ongoing impacts of climate change can be seen in Hamilton. The increased wet weather which flushed so many materials into our harbour, coupled with the heat this summer, has facilitated the proliferation of toxic algae at the waterfront.
Councillor Maureen Wilson and Councillor Cameron Kroetsch moved a motion at Council to look at how the city can prevent outbreaks of toxic algae blooms in the future.
In the questions to staff about the specific algae bloom we are experiencing, staff confirmed that disturbing this algae species is detrimental to the health of the water, the creatures who live in it, and can become an airborne concern as well. As it is broken up, it proliferates.
The health of our water is a joint responsibility of each member of Council and it is an ongoing priority for me. Not only as your Ward 3 Councillor, where we will eventually see more public access to the waterfront when the vision for the former Stelco lands at Steelport comes to fruition, but today, as a settler and a member of City Council where we start each meeting stating a land acknowledgement. Land acknowledgements aren’t simply words to be recited, but an active statement of commitment to act responsibly.
A aerial photo of Ward 3. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates".
WARD 3 COMPLETE STREETS UPDATE
The Ward 3 Complete Streets Study was undertaken to review the traffic conditions in all the neighbourhoods in Ward 3 to create a plan to improve safety on the local and collector neighbourhood streets; not arterial roads. The project focused on traffic speeds, stop-sign compliance, accessibility issues and cut-through traffic to recommend specific improvements within Ward 3 Neighbourhoods.
The study takes a holistic approach that integrates community feedback with technical analysis and develops a plan to respond. Over the course of the project more than 1200 unique data points were generated through community feedback. Results of the study were an iterative process of evaluating solutions to develop recommendations. Final recommendations are to be implemented over time in a phased approach.
Across the last couple of years, a number of short-term items identified have already been completed within Ward 3 as a direct response to concerns raised by local residents. Starting back in Fall 2022, 52 speed cushion locations in total have been implemented to-date as traffic calming across neighbourhoods with more planned for implementation in Fall 2024/Spring 2025.
As staff work to finalize the 200+ recommendations, plus coordinate these recommendations with both the Main Street Two-Way Conversion and LRT projects, a community meeting will be scheduled with the residents this Fall to highlight the short / medium and long-term measures identified within the report after extensive assessment.
We will break down the implementation items by neighbourhoods in the ward to ensure investment lands equitably to address the deepest safety concerns as priority.
Short-term measures are relatively quick to implement and have already begun with the speed cushion installations. Medium-term (projected timing 1-3 years) and long-term (projected timing 5+ years), include more complicated design items such as intersection bump outs, curb radii reduction, raised intersections, raised crosswalks and cross-section modifications which require design, capital budget funding approvals and construction.
I look forward to hosting a community meeting for City staff this Fall to connect with our neighbours directly and to report next steps to implement the Complete Streets Study to improve the overall road safety and contribute to better neighbourhoods.
MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION & ROAD WORKS PROJECT - WILSON, WENTWORTH & SHERMAN AVE N COMMUNITY INFORMATION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 26, 6:30PM-8:30PM
Please hold the date for a Community Information Meeting on September 26th from 6:30pm-8:30pm regarding the upcoming construction and two-way preparations related to Wilson St, Sherman Ave, as well as a portion of Wentworth and Ashley.
The comprehensive roadway works project are in part early LRT works that require updating the capacity of our watermains. These works enable the City to implement other redesign priorities to enhance the safety of our neighbourhoods and to better enjoy our public realm.
BISHOP’S PARK FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS
Thank you to the 30 attendees who took time to join City staff and I to discuss the future of Bishop’s Park, and to Wesley for hosting our satellite meeting location.
Many features in the park are “end of life” meaning they are aged, due for replacement, or brought up to more current standards. And with it being smaller than most parks, we will be able to facilitate a faster revitalization of it than usual.
This meeting was a preliminary scan of what the local community would like to see for staff to work with. This will inform a longer engagement process that will enable residents to provide input on a final design and features that Public Works staff will use for budgeting and implementation.
The City of Hamilton preserves mature trees wherever possible, so the final landscape design will incorporate the existing trees, with plenty of room for pollinators and biodiversity. Staff also clarified that because this greenspace is small, it may not be feasible to put in everything residents want. For example, a more traditional playground may not be appropriate in the space. That said, there could be play-based, interactive features on the future fence that could accommodate music making or other age-inclusive features.
Staff also confirmed that the water fountain that I previously allocated discretionary Ward 3 capital funds to install will require water lines being installed. We’ll also be able to add a water spout to support watering any future pollinator garden. As such, the park will need to be fenced off for the construction period. The project is being tendered and when confirmed, we will circulate an update with timelines and local impacts. It could be either this fall or next spring.
I also addressed several questions about the revised Encampment Protocol, enforcement and what solutions the city is pursuing and advocating for to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in our neighbourhoods.
83-85 EMERALD ST. SOUTH UPDATE - CONDITIONAL APPROVAL PACKAGE
Last year my office shared the redevelopment plans of Realty Holdings Group, the owners of the former Emerald Lodge.
You may remember that they hosted multiple community meetings to discuss their redevelopment plans to turn this building into affordable rental housing units while retaining the existing building and adding an addition to the rear.
Staff have confirmed that the Site Plan Control Application for this location has received conditional approval and will now move to the Planning Committee for final approval.
HSR NEW BUS MAINTENANCE & STORAGE FACILITY: DUST & DRAGOUT IMPACTS
For many months, we have been escalating complaints from residents about the impacts of dust and dragout resulting from the construction of HSR’s new bus maintenance and storage facility. We have a recent update to share that we hope will bring relief to neighbours.
This City-owned facility, which takes up several city blocks from Hillyard St. to Birch Ave between Brant St. and the CN Rail tracks, will be mostly hard capped (paved over with concrete or asphalt) by the end of August which will reduce the volume of dust generated dramatically. City staff also tell us that a dedicated street sweeper is being used regularly along Hillyard Street, Brant St. and Birch Ave to mitigate the remaining dust impacts.
Regarding our reporting of improper use by the construction company’s vehicles of roads in the area that are not designated truck routes, they have asked the company to adhere to the proper routing, along with requesting increased enforcement by Municipal By-Law.
For more information on the project and details of the City’s dust mitigation plans, visit https://www.hamilton.ca/hamilton-transit-bus-maintenance-storage-facility-design#frequently-asked-questions
If you notice any further dust or other air quality concerns in the area, please contact #OurWard3’s kerry.leclair@hamilton.ca.
WARD 3 POP-UP AT BIRGE PARK - SEPTEMBER 24, 5PM-7PM
My team and I will be hosting a Ward 3 Pop-Up at Birge Park on Tuesday September 24 from 5pm-7pm..
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 5-10 minutes long and we will aim to address your issue on the spot. If your issue requires a follow up, we will aim to be in touch with you within a week.
Many residents have shared how much they appreciate connecting in this way, as not everyone has access to internet or email to reach us in those ways.
We welcome some face to face opportunities to connect with neighbours and are looking forward to seeing you there!
Graphic of a diverse group of people of all abilities with the Hamilton sign at City Hall in the background. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Services Updates".
REIMAGINING NEIGHBOURHOODS: RESIDENTIAL ZONES PROJECT
Reimagining Neighbourhoods, is the City’s Residential Zones Project to update zoning and implements Council’s direction to provide more housing options to residents across the City. The City of Hamilton aims to provide homeowners, renters, developers, and the general public access to information and planning tools to learn how zoning changes will provide the opportunity for more housing choice and more affordable housing options and more sustainable and equitable growth across the City.
Through this summer engagement, staff have been out in the community, informing residents of the work that continues on the Residential Zones Project.
For those interested in learning more about this project, staff will be present at the Ottawa Street Farmers Market on Saturday August 24. Information can also be found on the project’s website at www.hamilton.ca/residentialzoning.
CITY OF HAMILTON CONFIRMS FIRST CASE OF BAT RABIES IN 2024
Hamilton Public Health Services received confirmation of its first positive rabid bat since August 2023. A Hamilton resident is now being treated by healthcare providers due to exposure. This serves as a reminder to stay away from bats and other animals that can carry rabies such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, as well as stray or unknown cats and dogs.
Rabies is a fatal virus that affects mammals, including humans, and is most commonly spread by wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. However, saliva can also enter the body through scratches, open wounds or mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
Hamilton currently has an outbreak of rabies, mainly in raccoons and skunks with 330 animals testing positive since December 2015. In addition to raccoons and skunks there has been one fox and two stray cats test positive. Bats have tested positive for rabies almost every year in Hamilton.
It is important to take precautions to avoid contact with rabid animals.
Tips to prevent rabies:
Always keep a safe distance from, and avoid contact with wild animals including raccoons, skunks, bats, unknown dogs and cats and other wild animals. Rabies can make animals aggressive or it can make them appear sick, scared, or friendly.
Call Hamilton Animal Services at 905-546-2489 if you see a dead, sick or strangely acting raccoon, skunk, bat, or other wild animal.
Do not feed, help, handle, relocate any wildlife or keep them as pets.
If you are bitten by an animal, or had direct contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the wound with soap and water, seek medical attention immediately or call Public Health Services at 905-546-2489.
Vaccinate your pets against rabies, keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs and cats to protect them, and prevent any spread to people.
Contact your vet if your pet is in contact with a wild animal, including bats.
For more information about rabies, visit www.hamilton.ca/rabies.
HSR INCREASING EVENING & WEEKEND SERVICE STARTING SEPTEMBER 1
Starting Sunday, September 1, HSR will be increasing their evening and weekend service frequency on many routes. These service changes mark the eighth year of the City of Hamilton’s Council-supported Ten-Year Local Transit Strategy, which aims to grow ridership, improve connections and enhance the overall transit experience.
A $0.10 increase on PRESTO fares will be implemented on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Details are available at hamilton.ca/HSR/fares.
Fall 2024 Highlights:
Sunday & holiday service on Routes 16 Ancaster, 18 Waterdown Mountaineer, myRide Waterdown, and 51 University.
Late-night service on Routes 3 Cannon, 10 B-Line, 16 Ancaster, 18 Waterdown Mountaineer, myRide, and 51 University.
Increased Sunday service frequency on Routes 3 Cannon, 4 Bayfront, 16 Ancaster, 22 Upper Ottawa, 23 Upper Gage, 24 Upper Sherman, 25 Upper Wentworth, 26 Upper Wellington, 27 Upper James, 34 Upper Paradise, 41 Mohawk, and 43 Stone Church.
The fall service schedules will be in effect from September 1 to December 28, 2024.
LANDMARKS & MONUMENTS REVIEW: HONOURING OUR INDIGENOUS ROOTS
The focus of the Landmarks and Monuments Review survey is to collect qualitative data concerning resident and stakeholder opinions about including more Indigenous stories and history at the Queen Victoria, Augustus Jones and United Empire Loyalist monument sites.
The goal of this project is to provide a more equitable, balanced, and inclusive representation of Indigenous histories and contributions, supporting reconciliation and education about colonial history in Canada.
The survey will be open between August 13 to 30, 2024 and only takes five minutes to complete.
Results from this survey, in-person engagement sessions held in the fall and a second survey, will all be shared with Council in Q1 2025.
The Sir John A. MacDonald monument site will be addressed in the second phase of this project.
Please consider sharing your feedback on how we can better represent Indigenous stories and history at the Queen Victoria, Augustus Jones and United Empire Loyalist monument sites. Fill out the survey from August 13 to 30: https://engage.hamilton.ca/landmarksreview
Photo of one of Green Venture’s depaves along Barton St.E. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Community Events & Opportunities”.
LATINO FEST AT GAGE PARK - AUGUST 16-18
Hamilton Latino Festival is a multicultural annual event that has been taking place since 2018, and you are invited to come celebrate Latin culture, community, and cuisine this summer at Hamilton Latino Festival in Gage Park!
There will be plenty to do throughout the weekend with food, drink, music, entertainment, and activities. Whether you bring the entire family or explore with your friends, Hamilton Latino Festival is a place where everyone can come together and celebrate.
For full event information, visit the Hamilton Latino Festival website.
OPEN STREETS & POP-UPS AT PIER 8
While not in #OurWard3, we love to see community events happening throughout the city and the Mini Open Streets and Pop-Ups at Pier 8 events have a fun and fantastic line-up of events happening throughout the rest of August! Please check out the dates below:
August 17: Kidstock @ HWT Patio (57 Discovery Drive) from 10am-4pm
A Woodstock-esque music and arts festival designed with kids in mind. Featuring live bands, jam sessions for kids, crafts and activities, tie-dye, family-friendly food, and interactive moments for kids of all ages. There will be programming for babies, toddlers, and older kiddos so bring the whole family down!
August 20: Outdoor Movie Night Screening of School of Rock @ Gantry Crane (base of Catharine St. N) from 8pm-11pm
Screening the 2003 beloved School of Rock with a special pre-show rock n roll performance led by Noise Pollution Rock School with an opportunity for attendees to join an interactive jam session. Seating and refreshments available or feel free to bring your own!
August 20: Mini Open Streets at Pier 8 from 6pm-8pm
Join the Open Streets Team for an event filled with fun and community spirit for all ages. New Hope Bikes will be on site with their Ride Smart Rodeo for folks to enjoy.
August 23: ABBA Dance Party @ HWT Patio (57 Discovery Drive) from 6pm-10pm
An all ages, family friendly dance party featuring the music of ABBA with disco vibes, activities and vendors. Put on your dancing shoes and boogie down to Pier 8! DJs A Side B Side will have you dancing up a storm!
August 24: HVC Vintage Market @ HWT Patio (57 Discovery Drive) from 11am-4pm
Hamilton Vintage Community will be holding their annual market with the best vintage, antique and retro vendors. Shop for something special, eat delicious food and enjoy our final event of the season at the beautiful Pier 8!
A reminder that all events are free and accessible. Please check out Mini Open Streets and the Pop-Ups at Pier 8 websites for more information.
COMMUNITY AIR POLLUTION MEETING - AUGUST 19
Join community members to share experiences and plan actions to improve our air quality and address industrial air pollution.
Our next meeting is Monday August 19, 6:30-8pm at the 541 Eatery & Exchange (aka the Button Cafe) located at 541 Barton Street East.
The venue is accessible through the side door entrance, and washrooms are wheelchair accessible. Coffee and tea generously provided by the 541 Eatery and Exchange. For more info please email breathe.easy.hamilton@gmail.com.
GREEN VENTURE BI-WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP STROLLS - AUGUST 20
Join us for our biweekly Stewardship Strolls with Green Storage!
Next Stroll: Tuesday, August 20th
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Meet at: 342 Barton St. East
Engage in meaningful community service as we explore native gardens, enhance our local greenspaces, and keep Barton Street vibrant. We’ll help with litter pickup, plant care, and foster a cleaner, greener environment. More information and sign up is available here!