Ward 2 Newsletter - Issue 32
November 24, 2025
Neighbourhood Association Priorities Moving Forward
Since I was elected, I’ve been meeting with Ward 2 neighbourhood and community associations as part of a new Neighbourhood Association Council (NAC) I struck in 2022. The goal of the NAC is to keep these associations up to date on what’s happening but also to work together to advance common goals shared across Ward 2 neighbourhoods.
During this term of Council, we’ve been collectively working on a number of projects, big and small, including a motion to direct City staff to revisit the cancelled Neighbourhood Action Strategy (NAS). The NAS was first launched in 2011 to support neighbourhood and community associations. The program ended in 2019 after seven years in operation and was a joint project between a number of partners, including the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation.
The program was beloved in the local community and provided immeasurable support, especially in neighbourhoods where resources were fewer. During the height of the pandemic, most neighbourhood and community associations suffered. Volunteers had to focus on other commitments, including their families and their health. Simply put, these organizations need help to rebuild.
After collaborating with neighbourhood and community associations, I put forward a motion at the Emergency and Community Services Committee at the end of October. The motion, which passed unanimously and was ratified by Council, asked City staff to report back on the feasibility of reintroducing a program similar to the NAS including support with -
bookkeeping and audits;
communication including translation services and mailers;
conflict resolution;
online meeting software and technical support;
grants;
events including booking City spaces, SEAT permits, and insurance;
hosting information on the City’s website related to active Neighbourhood and Community Associations including an online resource hub; and
capacity building and leadership development.
I’m hopeful a report back from City staff will outline how we can launch an improved program to support neighbourhoods. In order for our city to thrive, we need to ensure everyone has access to government, to the tools necessary to connect with one another, and to the support needed to meet financial and regulatory obligations.
Next up from the NAC will be a motion to ask for 30 km/h speeds in all Ward 2 neighbourhoods, which will be coming forward to the Public Works Committee on December 1.
Bennetto Auditorium Accessibility Timeline Updated
In December 2023, I put forward a motion, including funding of $700,000 to upgrade the Bennetto Auditorium in the North End. This mid century facility is stunning, but not up to modern standards. As a result, it’s underused.
This project will enhance auditorium accessibility, create an accessible washroom and seating options, and refresh key features such as audio and visual equipment and stage curtains.
Once renovations are complete, the goal is to work with nearby schools so they can better access the auditorium for events and putting on theatrical productions.
Here’s a breakdown of the timeline for the renovations -
December 2023 - Motion was put forward by Councillor Kroetsch and approved for the project ($700K)
January 2024 - Stakeholder Planning meeting to review the Councillor’s motion request, understand client needs, and assess the current site conditions and facility requirements
February 2024 - Workshop Architecture hired as the lead architect and consultant, based on established feasibility assessment criteria
May 2024 - Feasibility Study work began, including detailed site analysis and study development
September 2024 - The lead consultant completed the Feasibility Study, including a cost estimate, and submitted it for review by City staff
January to June 2025 - Staff and stakeholders worked closely with the lead consultant to develop detailed designs and refine project costing
August 2025 - An application was submitted for the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Provincial Grant to help support the cost of the exterior ramp; the request was for $60,000 and is currently under review
September 2025 to June 2026 - Stakeholders reviewed the updated plans, providing input and comments to support the design review process and help prepare for the creation of procurement documents; procurement process started with development of tender documents, posting and awarding the contract
July to December 31, 2026 - Construction begins; this phase includes kickoff meetings, progress updates, and coordination with stakeholders throughout
Renovations like this, especially in older buildings, can be complicated. Cities must follow standards for public design and procurement, which can be time consuming but ensure civic buildings are safe. While it’s taking longer than I’d like, I’m grateful things are continuing to move along. This beautiful auditorium should be enjoyed by everyone in the community. I look forward to hosting events here, and welcoming North Enders to its grand reopening, in the years to come.
Inside Baseball - How the City’s Budget Works
A huge part of the work we do at Council relates to the City’s annual budget. The General Issues Committee, which looks at the budget in detail, meets from September to February, over 6 months. City staff from all divisions contribute to the budget as do boards and agencies that rely in whole or in part on the City including the Hamilton Police Service Board, Hamilton Public Library Board, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and the Hamilton Farmers’ Market.
What I hear from most residents I speak to about the budget is they find, as they dig into it, it gets complicated and confusing. I agree. When I first joined Council it was something I struggled with, despite having some professional experience in finance and auditing. How we talk about the budget and how it’s structured are what make it so complicated and confusing, in my view, so let’s break those two things down.
How We Talk About the Budget
We divide the City’s budgets into three main categories - Water, Capital, and Operating budgets. In general, we separate the Water budget out because it requires earlier approval and is assessed as a water “rate” rather than a tax. Rates for water show up on your water bill as opposed to your tax bill, for instance. We typically review the Water budget in November and December.
As for the Capital and Operating budgets, we combine them together into the City’s Tax budget. The Capital budget refers mainly to hard assets like roads, City vehicles, playground equipment, and recreation centres. The Operating budget refers, primarily, to employee costs, or the funding required to operate our capital assets. We typically review the Tax budget in January and February.
Beyond the technical aspects of how this all works, the way members of Council talk about budgeting also shapes how City staff respond and make their recommendations. City staff pay close attention not only to the Mayor’s Directives on the budget, but also to political hand wringing including comments like “staff need to sharpen their pencils”, a perennial refrain.
There’s also an ongoing and intense pressure on City staff from some on Council to “rein in spending” on staff hiring across the board, despite there being some departments and divisions, when compared to other cities of a similar size, that are understaffed. All of this has an impact on the budget itself.
How the Budget is Structured
After the Provincial government asked cities to set housing targets in 2023, Hamilton signed on. As a result, without notice, the Province doled out new Strong Mayor Powers, including to Mayor Andrea Horwath. Some of these powers allow the Mayor to create the budget, set priorities for it, and veto decisions of Council.
Last year was the first year the Mayor exercised these powers with respect to the budget. It was a challenge and something I’ve written about at length in a previous newsletter.
This year, following on last year’s Strong Mayor Budget, we’ll be following a specific schedule as dictated by Provincial legislation and guided by the Mayor’s Directive on the budget. This year, in October, despite the Mayor’s Directive to the contrary from last year, she’s asked all City divisions and departments to come back with a budget that is no more than 4.25% overall
During the last term of Council, the City moved to multi year budgeting. This means we project, years ahead, where we think we may have budgetary needs. As each budget year gets closer, we refine those projections before the draft budget is released. Right now, that’s what City staff are doing, in anticipation of releasing the draft Tax budget publicly on December 12.
If you want to learn more, please come out to my 2026 City Budget Town Hall on November 25 at Ringside Hamilton. If you’re interested in giving feedback to Council on its budget by coming out in person, or virtually, you can register to speak at the General Issues Committee’s budget meeting on January 19, 2026.
City Council Summary - November 19, 2025
The Council decisions on November 19 included changes to the Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program, development at Pier 8, and pushing back on Provincial Bill 60.
Changes to the Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program
Public Works Committee - November 10, 2025
City Council - November 19, 2025
In July of this year, I put forward a motion to make changes to the City’s Commercial District Revitalization Grant to help businesses deal with waste. I put this forward because, for many downtown businesses, their needs regarding waste don’t match up with the standards used elsewhere in the city. The result for neighbourhoods is waste and recycling spilling out of containers, garbage and recycling trucks unable to pick up waste regularly, inadequate waste storage solutions, and “common piles” being used for waste in business districts. Our downtown is dense and many parts of it are unique. This often looks like cramped spaces, custom or smaller garbage bins, and increased costs for businesses to dispose of waste because they don’t have a place to store it or dispose of it. This grant will allow businesses to apply to the City for financial support for permanent waste and recycling enclosures for the purpose of storing waste or recyclable material until a regularly scheduled pick up date. There are some limitations with respect to some of the technical requirements, but I’m hopeful this will allow some small businesses to better dispose of their waste and recycling and to have a secure place to store it before pickup day.
How did Council vote on making this change to the grant program?
In favour (16) - Beattie, Cassar, Clark, Cooper, Francis (seconder), Horwath, Hwang, Jackson, Kroetsch, McMeekin, Nann, Pauls (mover), Spadafora, Tadeson, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
Development at Pier 8
West Harbour Development Sub-Committee - November 7, 2025
General Issues Committee - November 12, 2025
City Council - November 19, 2025
The final vote regarding the paused Pier 8 development took place at Council last week. As I said in my last newsletter, the development at Pier 8 has been paused for up to another three and a half years (for a total of 5 years), though no date for restarting the project has been announced or committed to. With the development horizon set at about 15 years, this has now pushed the final completion of this project beyond 2043. I put a motion forward to ask City staff to work with the developer to see if changing the plans could get things started sooner and report back on any potential changes in public next year at the West Harbour Development Sub-Committee. Unfortunately, after a 6-10 vote at the General Issues Committee, my motion died on an 8-8 tie at Council. I continue to be concerned about the viability of this project, which commits only 5% affordable housing and includes a luxury condominium, given the very real housing challenges our city faces.
How did Council vote on asking the developer to look into other options and have City staff report back in public?
In favour (8) - Cassar (seconder), Clark, Hwang, Kroetsch (mover), McMeekin, Nann, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
Against (8) - Beattie, Cooper, Francis, Horwath, Jackson, Pauls, Spadafora, Tadeson
Pushing Back on Provincial Bill 60
General Issues Committee - November 12, 2025
City Council - November 19, 2025
Unfortunately, Provincial Bill 60 passed today. It’s a bill put forward by the Ford government to limit the rights of tenants, to make their tenancies less secure, and which will push some tenants out of their homes. This is a major and serious issue for tenants in Ward 2, a part of the city where nearly 80% of residents rent their homes. Across the lower city, from Wards 1 through 5, more than 50% of residents rent their homes as do about one third of Hamiltonians. The motion I put forward, seconded by Councillor Nrinder Nann, will ensure reports back from staff about the implications of the Bill and a letter from the Mayor opposing it. While there’s not much cities can do to push back, I’ve heard from many across the city who are concerned and fearful. I’ll continue to do everything I can in my role as a City Councillor to stand up for tenants.
How did the General Issues Committee vote on pushing back on Bill 60?
In favour (14) - Cassar, Clark, Cooper, Francis, Horwath, Hwang, Jackson, Kroetsch (mover), McMeekin, Nann (seconder), Pauls, Tadeson, A. Wilson, M. Wilson
Upcoming Meetings and Events
This section lists upcoming Ward 2 public meetings including town halls happening over the next few months. Some of this information may change closer to the meeting dates, including times and locations.
To read Committee and Council Agendas and Meeting Notices, please subscribe to updates directly through the City’s website or visit the City’s Committee Calendar.
For more on what’s happening in the downtown community, check out event listings from The Vibe Hamilton, Hamilton City Magazine’s regular events listing, and the Ward 2 website’s Community Meetings page.
November 25, 2025 - 2026 City Budget Town Hall - Ringside Hamilton - 322 James Street North - 7:00pm
December 4, 2025 - Community Meeting - Eastwood and Strachan Linear Parks - Discovery Centre - 7:00pm