Reconciliation Means Going Beyond the Status Quo
On Friday, July 12, Council narrowly voted down a motion, 8-7, to honour a request from Hamilton’s urban Indigenous community to investigate what it would take to give them a seat at the table.
In my attempt to listen to and honour that request, I put forward a motion along with Ward 4 City Councillor Tammy Hwang asking City staff to investigate what might be required to add another seat to Council for a member of the urban Indigenous community.
If my motion had passed, it would have directed staff to prepare reports with more information about the impacts of adding a seat, including the pros and cons, so Council could make an informed decision.
This request was no surprise to many on Council. During the 2022 municipal election, Mayor Andrea Horwath, myself, and many other candidates, joined an Indigenous circle at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC). In that circle, mayoral candidates were asked if they would support investigating a request for an urban Indigenous seat on Council. I was happy to hear the Mayor’s commitment to do just that.
It’s why I was disappointed to see her vote down the motion I worked on directly with members of the urban Indigenous community, only to put her own independent motion forward. Her motion was completely devoid of any language to direct City staff to investigate the pros and cons of a seat on Council and was not drafted in consultation with members of the urban Indigenous community.
Because she broke the tie and voted against honouring this request, and her campaign commitment, the Mayor also prevented a further simple majority vote from taking place on the subject during this term of Council. When a motion loses to a majority vote at Council, it cannot be reconsidered unless a super majority of two thirds, or 11 members of Council, vote to do so. Given the close vote this past Friday, that will not be a likely outcome during this term (though I remain hopeful that 3 of my colleagues could change their minds).
One of the major reasons touted by those opposed to my motion, including from the Mayor, was the need to get more members of Council “on board” - to ensure that everyone around the horseshoe felt more comfortable.
I can only imagine where I’d be, as a queer person, if the people who fought for my rights had waited until everyone around the political table felt more comfortable. I fear I’d still be waiting, along with every other member of an equity seeking group who has had to do the same. It’s unacceptable to ask Indigenous communities to keep waiting. It’s been almost 10 years since the Calls to Action came out of the final 2015 report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We can and must do better.
I’ve always believed that good leaders not only accept but embrace meaningful change. They lead us through the tough parts, even when the conversations are difficult and public support isn’t unanimous. They ignore those who fight to entrench the status quo, just for the sake of it, and they move policy and legislation toward justice.
It’s easy to continue to tell Indigenous communities to keep waiting, to opine about the “long arc of progress”, to commit to being “on the journey”, and to pledge, again and again, to education and learning.
I do agree, though, that Council needs to do more learning. It’s something I’m committed to and it’s not something I take lightly.
For those who have, like me, shared sacred spaces with Indigenous people, this is deeply serious work. Indigenous people have taken time to explain to us what it means to share in ceremony and how to do our work with a good mind and a good heart. Those, like the Mayor, who showed up in ceremony and partnership but ultimately chose independent action in order to avoid the issue will have much work to do to repair relationships.
Sadly, this outcome demonstrates that for far too many on Council, deep engagement in Truth and Reconciliation is just another event, the perpetuation of tokenism, and colonialism at work. If we want to leave this term of Council feeling like we actually did things differently, we’re going to have to dig a lot deeper, get over ourselves, and learn what it really means to share power with communities.
City Council Summary - June 26 and July 12, 2024
The Council debates leading up to June 26 and July 12 centred around the development of the Strachan Linear Park, the City’s Biodiversity Action Plan, the heritage designation of Philpott Church, changes to the City’s Encampment Protocol, the appeals process for the City Enrichment Fund, and the process for installing speed cushions.
Development of Strachan Linear Park
Public Works Committee - June 17, 2024
General Issues Committee - June 19, 2024
City Council - June 26, 2024
As part of my commitment to improving and adding greenspace in Ward 2, including in the North End, I brought a motion to the Public Works Committee on June 17 to begin the development of what’s currently “open space” on Strachan Street into what will eventually become a new Strachan Street Linear Park. This idea came about because the parking lot where the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) pilot was proposed became earmarked as “surplus land” (generally speaking). Neighbours along Strachan Street and Hughson Street approached me to ask if I would consider programming it as a park space and I told them I’d happily bring information forward after consulting with CN Railway and City staff. That consultation was recently completed, which is why I put this motion forward in June. I’ll be holding a meeting with North End residents at the James North Baptist Church (500 James Street North) on Thursday, August 8 at 6:30pm to discuss the potential for this space and hear ideas so the City can begin to move this forward as quickly as possible.
How did the Public Works Committee vote on the development of Strachan Linear Park?
In favour (12) - Beattie, Cassar (seconder), Danko, Francis, Hwang, Jackson, Kroetsch (mover), McMeekin, Spadafora, Tadeson, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
City’s Biodiversity Action Plan
Planning Committee - June 18, 2024
City Council - June 26, 2024
The City has developed a Biodiversity Action Plan to protect, enhance, and restore biodiversity in Hamilton. As many of us know, some first hand, the natural environment that existed for centuries in Ward 2 has been mostly subsumed by industry from the late 19th century to today - much of it having an impact on the water, but also on the diversity of natural species of plants, animals, and insects. What was once a rich and varied landscape has been mostly broken up by roads, institutions, and housing. While some of those things may be necessary in a modern city, we can do more to put things back into balance. The plan can be viewed in more detail on the City of Hamilton’s website, including a list of the partners the City will be working with to execute the short, medium, and long term actions outlined in the plan. I’m hopeful that with the passing of this plan the City can quickly work to complete a natural areas inventory (NAI) to collect data on the plants, mammals, birds, butterflies, moths, reptiles, amphibians and fish who call Hamilton home.
How did the Planning Committee vote on moving the City’s Biodiversity Action Plan forward?
In favour (11) - Beattie, Cassar (seconder), Danko, Francis, Hwang, Kroetsch, McMeekin, Pauls, Tadeson, A. Wilson (mover), M. Wilson
Heritage Designation of Philpott Church
Planning Committee - June 18, 2024
City Council - June 26, 2024
Planning Committee - July 9, 2024
City Council - July 12, 2024
Over the course of several meetings this year, including at the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee where I sit as Council’s representative, the matter of the redevelopment of the land at 84 York Boulevard, Philpott Church, has been up for discussion. From the start, City staff have said that heritage designation is the way to go in order to preserve this historic site - this building meets a very high number of the criteria used to determine whether something should be designated or not. While this would mean fewer units might be built on this site, it would also mean preserving the original building while still allowing for hundreds of new units; a good compromise, in my view. Both the developer (buyer) and the church congregation (seller) asked Council to demolish the building in consideration of their individual financial circumstances. And Council did just that, unfortunately. Rather than making a heritage or planning decision, the rest of the Planning Committee voted to enter into a heritage easement, one that may eventually see the building demolished. While I understand the financial considerations of the developer and the congregation, and am sympathetic to the situation the latter finds themselves in, that’s not the criteria we are meant to use to make these decisions. Frankly, it has set a dangerous precedent for future heritage preservation in the core. If the Planning Committee is willing to prioritize the financial interests of property buyers and sellers, rather than applying the criteria for designation, we could be losing more of our valued heritage assets in this term of Council.
How did the Planning Committee vote on preserving Philpott Church through heritage designation?
In favour (1) - Kroetsch
Against (7) - Beattie, Cassar, Danko, Hwang (mover), Francis (seconder), Pauls, Tadeson
Changes to the City’s Encampment Protocol
General Issues Committee - June 19, 2024
City Council - June 26, 2024
This was a very long discussion and we heard from many delegates on the subject leading up to Council’s decision on June 26. The main purpose of City staff’s report and recommendations were to provide more support for the Encampment Protocol and the shelter system. They were also designed to respond to concerns raised by housed and unhoused Hamiltonians about what’s missing from or lacking in the Encampment Protocol when it was first implemented in August 2023. The City has now committed more resources and will be bringing reports back in August to look at further changes including the potential for sanctioned sites (a motion put forward by Councillor Tammy Hwang). Part of the discussion at Council included a contentious motion put forward by Councillor John-Paul Danko. His motion aimed to designate the future Strachan Linear Park as a site for encampments, rather than leaving it exempt while it’s being developed (City staff recommended it remain exempt). That vote died on an 8-8 tie, thankfully. If it had passed, it would have been the first such motion to have succeeded in contravention of staff’s advice on the Encampment Protocol. As I will continue to say, experts and people with lived and living experience have reminded us of the facts - if the City acts hastily, does not meet people where they’re at, or insists on chasing people from park to park it will most certainly cause harm to our unhoused neighbours, including death and serious illness, and put the City in a legal fight with the courts that we won’t win. For more information about Hamilton’s Encampment Protocol, visit the City’s website.
How did Council vote on changes to the Encampment Protocol?
In favour (10) - Cassar, Danko, Horwath, Hwang, Kroetsch (mover), McMeekin, Nann (seconder), Tadeson, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
Against (6) - Beattie, Clark, Francis, Jackson, Pauls, Spadafora
Appeals Process for the City Enrichment Fund
Grants Sub-Committee - July 3, 2024
Audit, Finance and Administration Committee - July 11, 2024
City Council - July 12, 2024
The City Enrichment Fund (CEF) has been going through a difficult transition since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. To put it mildly, it’s very underfunded and cannot keep up with the requests that represent the current needs faced by not for profit organizations in our community who rely heavily on it. The CEF funding envelope was approved before the height of the pandemic and does not, in any way, match up with the current approved plan by Council to work with legacy organizations and also support new and emerging projects and programs. Though some recent changes will help, including a new multiyear funding program, it will not be enough to bridge the millions of dollars that will be needed for the program to remain sustainable. This year, like last year, City staff worked out an appeals process to allow CEF applicants who felt they received too little funding, and needed more to deliver their programming, the opportunity to appeal to City staff for reconsideration. I supported this decision, happily moving the motion at the Grants Sub-Committee, as a compromise that I hope continues to be available as we reinvent the program to meet current and future needs. Appeals, while they may not be the norm across many granting programs, allow for additional context to be provided and for Council to allocate additional funds to support groups who otherwise may not be able to put on programming this year or next. I’m hopeful Council will consider increased funding in a future budget and continue to support City staff recommendations to make the program better, more sustainable, and more responsive to emerging needs.
How did Council vote on approving the CEF appeals process?
In favour (15) - Beattie, Cassar, Clark, Danko, Francis, Horwath, Jackson, Hwang (mover), Kroetsch, McMeekin, Pauls, Spadafora (seconder), Tadeson, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
Process for Installing Speed Cushions
Public Works Committee - July 10, 2024
City Council - July 12, 2024
Though there was not a formal decision made to receive any recommendations on this matter, this report from City staff will be of interest to many Ward 2 residents. As I said at at recent Town Hall on Safe Streets held in the Beasley neighbourhood - street safety is something we can’t afford to get wrong, we shouldn’t be politicizing, and must be informed by our commitment to Vision Zero and the City’s policies on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). In short, this report outlined not only the process but, for the first time, the timelines for each Councillor to get speed cushions installed in their wards in time for the 2024 construction season. There are both Spring and Fall submission timelines. The Ward 2 Team plans to submit requests for the August 30, 2024 deadline to have some speed cushions installed before the winter snow hits. Some of the requests we’ve made will have to wait until next spring as we need to allow City staff time to do some follow up reviews. As part of this process, there will be reports coming back in Q4 of 2024 to address concerns about some of the “industry standards” controlling the process the City uses to decide whether speed cushions and other street safety initiatives will be implemented. Some of this will likely involve new policy considerations. Though I’d like to act more quickly to implement some solutions before new policies may be adopted, I need to wait to ensure they line up with not only the requests residents have made, but so that I’m allocating our limited resources to improving street safety in the places that need it most. Equity is a key consideration in this work and I look forward to the report later this year, which I hope will inform the best path forward while prioritizing our most vulnerable road users - especially those who are trying to get around near our schools, parks, and playgrounds.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
This section lists important upcoming Committee and Council meetings, community and City events, and Ward 2 town halls. To read Committee and Council Agendas and Meeting Notices, please subscribe to updates directly through the City’s website.
Local Meetings and Events
Dances at the Bay (formerly Dusk Dances) - July 19, 20, and 21 - Bayfront Park - 6:30pm
Brott on the Waterfront - July 20 and 27 - Pier 8 Stage - 12:00pm
Sundays UnLocked - July 21 and August 18 - Locke Street South - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Salsa on the Waterfront 2024 - July 23 (and every Tuesday in July and August) - Pier 8 Rink - 7:00pm to 10:30pm
2024 Hamilton Fiesta Extravaganza - July 27-28 - Bayfront Park
Swing Dancing at Pier 8 - July 28 and August 11 - Pier 8 Rink - 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Festival of Friends - August 2-4 - Gage Park
Eastwood Arena and Strachan Linear Park Community Meeting - August 8 - James North Baptist Church - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
5th Hamilton Latino Festival - August 8-10 - Gage Park
Art Crawl - August 9 - James Street North - 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Pride at the Pier 2024 - August 10 - Pier 4 Park - 11:00am to midnight
City Council - August 16 - Council Chambers - 9:30am
Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference - August 17-21 - Ottawa
Art Exhibits, Installations, Performances, and Events
Artist Talk with Radha S. Menon - July 21 - Art Gallery of Hamilton - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
20th Anniversary Fundraiser Party - July 25 - Factory Media Centre - 7:00pm
Kiera Boult - Hamilton’s My Lady - until July 27 - Centre[3]
Labour Pains - until July 27 - Workers Arts & Heritage Centre
Self-ish - Corinne Duchesne - until July 30 - Assembly Gallery at Redchurch
Camp Quartz - Queer Art Hang - August 1 - Art Gallery of Hamilton - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Jan Wade - Soul Power - until January 5 - Art Gallery of Hamilton
Radha S. Menon - Touched by Devi - until January 5 - Art Gallery of Hamilton