• Ward 1 Sponsored Family Day Events
• Strathcona Kirkendall Complete Streets
• Budget 2026 Updates
• Celebrating Black History Month in Hamilton
• Ward 1 Chronicles - The Dundurn Gardeners' Cottage
• Water Billing Changes
• Vacant Unit Tax Drop-in Clinics
• The KNA Needs You!
• Rain Ready Rebate
• Events

Ward 1 Sponsored Family Day Events

Spend the Family Day weekend enjoying some free, Ward 1-sponsored events in our community! This is a great opportunity to spend time with your family, engage with your community, and get active! Join us for:

• An Open Swim at Dalewood Recreation Centre (1152 Main St W) on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
• An Open Swim at Kanétskare Recreation Centre (251 Duke St) on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM
• An Open Skate at Coronation Arena (81 Macklin St N) on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

For open swim events, the City of Hamilton's Swimming Policies and Guidelines are in effect for the safety and enjoyment of all bathers.

There are plenty of other drop-in events - from gym programs, free swims, and open skates - happening across Hamilton during the Family Day weekend and throughout the year. And, in the winter, there are plenty of City-run and volunteer-supported community rinks for folks to experience.

Strathcona & Kirkendall Complete Streets Final Report Online Meeting

In response to concerns from the residents of the Strathcona and Kirkendall neighbourhoods, the City of Hamilton's Traffic Safety Department, in conjunction with Dillan Consulting, executed a complete streets safety study through 2024-2025.

City staff will present the findings and the proposed solutions during this online meeting.

The initiative, building on progress made through Hamilton’s Strategic Road Safety Program and Vision Zero Action Plan, aimed to develop tailored solutions to reduce traffic speeds, enhance public spaces, and improve safety for all road users, regardless of age or ability.

The study concentrated on residential and collector streets within the neighbourhood bounded by Queen Street, Highway 403, the escarpment, and the CN rail line north of Barton Street E.

Residents' input on specific and systemic issues was sought throughout the process through two in-person meetings in each neighbourhood and the City's Engage Hamilton project site. 

Strathcona meeting - March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM: Registration required.

Kirkendall meeting - March 3, 2016, at 7:00 PM: Registration required.

Each meeting will be held via Zoom.

Budget 2026 Updates

The City of Hamilton's 2026 Tax Budget process continues this month, including several important meetings.

On January 20, 2026, Mayor Andrea Horwath released her proposed budget to Council and the public. The Mayor gets to set the budget agenda as a result of the Ontario government's extension of Bill 3 - the "Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022" - to Hamilton on July 1, 2023. The extension of this bill provided the Mayor of Hamilton with expanded powers, also known as "strong mayor powers". Under this new legislation, the previous municipal budgeting method has been replaced with a "mayor-directed" budget. Bill 3 made changes to the Municipal Act, 2001, which now requires Hamilton's mayor to "prepare a proposed budget for the City and provide the proposed budget to City Council for City Council’s consideration."

During the last weeks of January, Council heard presentations from City staff and local Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs) regarding the proposed 2026 Tax Budget. Following those presentations, members of City Council have been given a few opportunities to submit amendments to the proposed budget. The first meeting of the amendment was held on February 6, 2026. The second meeting occurred today, February 13, 2026. Once these meetings have concluded, Council will vote on the final proposed amendments on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Strong mayor powers allow the Mayor to "veto" (or cancel) the proposed amendments within 10 days following Council's vote on the budget on February 19, 2026. If Council disagrees with this veto, they have 15 days to "override" it (allowing the amendments to remain) if two-thirds of Council votes to override the veto. This means the latest the veto/override process can conclude is March 16, 2026. Following the conclusion of this process, Council will vote on the budget as a whole. This can occur anytime between the end of February and the end of March, 2026.

This new system may be confusing to Hamiltonians who participated in the municipal budget process for years under the previous system. To help residents adapt to this new system, the City has been providing detailed updates on the budget process, including a Budget 101 outline, a 2026 Budget Flowchart, and on Engage Hamilton. Residents can also contact [email protected] with any further questions.

Celebrating Black History Month in Hamilton

February is Black History Month. In February, we celebrate Hamilton's vibrant and dynamic Black community and the significant contributions they have made to our city. Here are just a few of the highlights of Black History Month:

2026 We Are Hamilton - Black History Remembered Honourees

Each year, the Black History Month Council, in partnership with Black-led organisations and the City of Hamilton, highlight the contributions of Black Hamiltonians to our city as part of the “We Are Hamilton – Black History Remembered” campaign. When the campaign launched in 2023, 16 dedicated community builders, businesspeople, philanthropists, musicians, teachers, activists, athletes, and leaders were highlighted for their profound impact on Hamilton. Since then, new honourees have been added each year. This year, the “We Are Hamilton – Black History Remembered” campaign honoured two incredible community leaders and medical professionals who passed away in 2025. They are:

Ona Allen (1925-2025)

Ona Allen leaves a legacy as a trailblazer. Born in 1925 in the historic North Buxton settlement, she made history as Hamilton’s first Black nurse, becoming a beloved and trusted presence at Hamilton General Hospital for nearly four decades, where she served with grace across countless wards and departments. Her retirement function, attended by hundreds, reflected the profound impact of her service. She overcame with grace and professionalism the incidents of racism she encountered in her childhood and adult work. She was a devoted and cherished member of Stewart Memorial Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. 

Dr Anthony MacFarlane (1937-2025)

Dr Anthony MacFarlane grew up in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada in 1959. He completed his medical studies at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. He maintained a successful medical practice in Hamilton for almost 5 decades, retiring in 2006. Passionate about Caribbean history, he built a significant collection of rare books on the subject, some of which he donated to McMaster University. He received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award from the University of the West Indies in recognition of his support for the university. He was also a prominent member of the Temple Anshe Sholom congregation in Hamilton.

The HSR Public Art Black History Month Bus

The HSR is launching its new Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Placemaking Program in 2026 to bring people together through public art and community activities that celebrate the amazing diversity here in Hamilton. Each year will feature a new theme, a bus wrap, an interior bus gallery and community events to build awareness, empathy and a sense of belonging. The first theme is Black History in Hamilton, with the inaugural bus wrap transforming one of HSR's buses into a meaningful piece of public art.

The first Public Art bus honours community leader Queen Cee, a local musical and visual artist and was designed by Stylo Starr. Stylo is a collage artist whose work centres on nature, fantasy and the Afrofuture. Her work is driven by the observation and integration of fine layered detail in collaboration with her amateur interests in astrology, crystals, herbalism and the metaphysical - all of which are frequently featured in her collages. This work reflects Stylo's experiences, inspired by Queen Cee, her unique artistic style, and her lifelong use of the HSR.

The 30th Anniversary Reverend John C Holland Awards

The Reverend John C Holland Awards celebrate their 30th anniversary with their 2026 theme, Sankofa Pearls. Sankofa is an Akan concept from Ghana that means to “go back and get it,” embodying the wisdom of learning from the past to build a better future. Just as pearls are unique in character and formed over time, the achievements of our community members reflect this same beauty and strength. This 30th Anniversary milestone theme invites us to connect with our roots, draw wisdom and strength from the past, and use these lessons as we work to build a brighter collective future.

The awards ceremony will be held at 4:00 PM on February 15, 2026, at Liuna Station (360 James St N). Tickets are $125 per person. Join the Hamilton Black History Council for an evening of celebration, recognition, and community, honouring outstanding achievement and award $30,000 in scholarships.

Ward 1 Chronicles - The Dundurn Gardener's Cottage

In this edition, we wanted to tell the story of the Dundurn Gardener's Cottage on Tecumseh St in Strathcona.

The humble Gardener's Cottage on Tecumseh is part of the Dundurn Castle grounds. After Dundurn was completed in 1835, its owner, the local businessman and politician Sir Allan Napier MacNab, hired William Reid to serve as his chief groundskeeper and gardener. Reid's job was to plan the MacNab family's gardens, including tending the family's bountiful kitchen garden and maintaining the decorative flowers on the property. Following MacNab's term as one of the joint Premiers of the Province of Canada (the equivalent position to Prime Minister prior to Confederation), he decided to make some improvements to the family estate. These improvements included extensive changes to the grounds, overseen by the Scottish-born Hamiltonian landscape architect George Laing. Among the improvements was the construction of a cottage for Reid.

The "cottage" is a two-storey brick house built in 1858. The cottage represents a distinctive pre-Confederation vernacular house type, of which there are few surviving examples left in Hamilton. The narrow, three-bay house features a simple gable roof, parapet end walls with single built-in chimneys, six double-hung sash windows with flat arched lintels and a central doorway. An unusual feature is the six-over-three panelled window on the second storey.

As there was little development in the area at the time, the cottage sat alone on the eastern edge of the MacNab property on what was then called "St. Mary's Lane" (today's Tecumseh St). Reid's cottage was built across St. Mary's Lane from "Inchburie", the MacNab family cemetery (the namesake for today's Inchbury St). Over time, many members of the MacNab family would be laid to rest in Inchburie, including MacNab's parents, his first and second wives, his brother, some of his brother's family, and two of his children. And, in 1862, MacNab passed away and was interred across from the Gardener's Cottage. Just before his death, MacNab granted a life-long lease to Reid for his service, ensuring his faithful gardener would always have a place to live and could continue to care for the Dundurn grounds. Reid only occupied the Gardener's Cottage for five years before moving away.

While Dundurn Castle was sold to Donald McInnes in 1872 and then to the City of Hamilton in 1899, the Gardener's Cottage remained in the MacNab family until 1907. That year, it was sold to Joseph A. Nelligan, a local businessman and political figure, though Nelligan did not reside in the cottage. Then, two years later, some of the surrounding land was sold to make way for a gravel pit, requiring all the MacNab family members buried in Inchburie to be relocated to the Hamilton Cemetery and Holy Sepulchre in Burlington.

Nelligan, by then heavily involved in politics in the east end of the city, sold the cottage to Thomas Baker in 1911 for $1 (roughly $27 in today's currency). Baker and his wife, Louise, raised their family in the cottage and had a notable impact on the community. One of the Bakers' sons, Leonard, helped make the community a little safer in 1932 when he discovered a gangster's shotgun on the Dundurn grounds during an evening stroll. Leonard dutifully handed the abandoned weapon to the Hamilton Police in the interest of community safety. And, in the mid-1970's, the Bakers' daughter, Gladys, came to the aid of a gas station attendant who was robbed nearby, sheltering him and calling the police while he recovered.

After Louise passed away in 1939, Thomas remained in the cottage with Gladys until he died at age 82. In 1987, the City of Hamilton granted the Gardener's Cottage official heritage designation in recognition of its history as part of the Dundurn complex and in acknowledgement of the home's significance as a well-preserved example of a two-storey pre-Confederation vernacular house. 

When Gladys passed away, she stipulated in her will that the City of Hamilton be granted the first right of purchase for the Gardener's Cottage. The City ended up acquiring the property in the early 1990's, just in time for a major renovation of the Dundurn grounds. Further renovations in the early 2000's restored the family's kitchen garden that William Reid had so lovingly maintained nearly two centuries prior.

The museums, Heritage, Tourism & Culture (MHTC) division is working slowly to bring the cottage back to life. In support of their work, the City Council recently approved Ward 1 funding of up to $140,000 for crucial masonry repairs to this 170-year-old structure. Repair work on the roof, gutter replacement and roof parapet stabilisation was completed in 2024. The 2025 work will include masonry and window repairs to prevent water infiltration into the building. 

The investment in the Dundurn Gardener's Cottage will help to ensure it remains a part of Hamilton's historical and cultural landscape for many years to come. While it may have started as a simple addition to improve the working conditions of the MacNab family's dutiful gardener, it has since become a home for a loving family and, for the past 35 years, a community heritage asset. This investment will help keep the Gardener's Cottage stable and strong, inspiring future generations to explore the history of our amazing city.

Water Billing Changes

The City of Hamilton, through its Utilities Billing team, is transitioning water billing services from Alectra Utilities, effective March 30, 2026. As part of this transition, residents who were previously enrolled in Alectra’s pre-authorised payment (PAP) program received a letter requesting updated banking information. This step is required to enable the City to securely set up PAP accounts within the new in-house billing system. Mailouts informing residents enrolled in the PAP program were completed the week of December 4, 2025.

Some residents have noticed that the prepaid return envelope included in their mailout is addressed to a Toronto PO Box. This is legitimate. The City uses a secure, centralised mail-processing centre in Toronto to handle high-volume, sensitive financial documents. This approach ensures timely processing, increased security, and consistent handling of forms during the transition period.

If residents have questions or need assistance completing the form, they can contact the City’s Hamilton Utilities Billing (HUB) team at 905-546-8630 or [email protected].

Vacant Unit Tax Drop-in Clinics

Property owners are required to submit their annual Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration by April 15, 2026. The VUT was implemented to increase housing supply in Hamilton by encouraging residential property owners to keep their properties occupied rather than leave them vacant. The VUT is an additional tax of one per cent of a property’s current assessed value, on any residential unit that is vacant for more than 183 days in the previous year.

All residential property owners are required to declare the occupancy status of their properties for the 2025 tax year by the deadline of April 15, 2026. Failure to submit a declaration by the deadline will result in the residential unit being deemed vacant, and the VUT will be applied.

The City of Hamilton is hosting VUT drop-in clinics across the city in the lead-up to the declaration's due date. There will be a clinic held in Ward 1 on February 19:

• Thursday, February 19, 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Kanétskare Recreation Centre (251 Duke St)

If you are unable to attend the Ward 1 clinic, you can still attend any of these clinics for help with completing your application:

• Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre (1709 Main St E)
• Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre (876 Cannon St E)
• Thursday, February 19, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Bennetto Community Centre (450 Hughson St N)
• Friday, February 20, 2026, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Winona Community Centre (255 Winona Rd)
• Friday, February 20, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre (60 Albright Rd)
• Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Flamborough Seniors Centre (163 Dundas St E)

The Ward 1 office is happy to assist residents with completing their VUT declarations and answering any questions. You can also receive assistance from the Ward 1 office by emailing [email protected].

Residents can also direct questions to City staff at [email protected].

The KNA Needs You!

Music Survey

The Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association (KNA) is embarking on a project within the Kirkendall neighbourhood to encourage and expand awareness, participation, and attendance in local live music initiatives in Kirkendall. Our first step is to survey Kirkendall residents to identify music initiatives in the area, both ongoing and in the planning stages, scheduled to take place in the next 12 months. If you have a music initiative and would like the KNA to know about it, please fill out this short survey, the KNA Music Mapping Survey, by April 24th. Know anyone in Kirkendall with a music initiative? Please send this link to them. The results of our survey will be compiled to inform the next phase of our music awareness project. For more information, reach out to the KNA at [email protected].

Social Media Coordinator Volunteer Needed

Interested in a volunteer position where you can showcase your social media and community engagement skills? The Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association has a volunteer opportunity for you. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about our Social Media Coordinator position.

Rain Ready Rebate

The Rain Ready Rebate is back for 2026! This program provides funding to residents who install approved Low Impact Development (LID) projects such as rain gardens and permeable surfaces. Run by Green Venture and funded by the City of Hamilton, this program helps property owners offset the costs of LID projects, which reduce flooding and water pollution and increase biodiversity.

The 2026 application period is March 2 to April 17, 2026. Prior to the application period opening, Green Venture is hosting two virtual webinars on February 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and on February 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. On March 4, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Green Venture is hosting a virtual open house to discuss the benefits of the rebate.

Ward 1 residents have previously used this program to make meaningful changes to their properties. Read the experiences and view photos from your neighbours who have graciously shared their stories:

Meghan

"I had flooding in my yard for years and have now diverted this all to a rain garden and to a rain cistern, thanks to the guidance and funding of Green Venture. This will result in less stormwater runoff from my property and reduced water use for watering my garden. It is a win-win, and a big thanks to the City of Hamilton for supporting this."

Richard

"I joined at the start of the summer [in 2025]...The results speak for themselves — my garden now manages stormwater better, supports native plants, and looks fantastic...This program is a clear win for residents, the environment, and our city’s climate resilience. I hope it continues to receive strong funding so more neighbours can benefit."

Tim and Cheryl

"We had planned to replace our driveway and landscape after a renovation anyway, and I had intended to incorporate storm water management principles and eliminate the grass, but this timely incentive led me to an even better outcome. I think we achieved both the City’s goals and made a front garden I am really excited to see develop, and the hardscaping is much more aesthetically pleasing!"

Events - Ward 1

The Westdale's 91st Anniversary Gala Fundraiser

• February 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM
• Location: The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W
• Celebrate 91 years of The Westdale! Join the folks at The Westdale - run by The Westdale Cinema Group, a charitable corporation that has been the stewards of this historic theatre since 2017 - for a special evening featuring live entertainment, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and an exciting live auction—all leading up to a screening of Some Like It Hot! This event is part of The Westdale's 90th Year Capital Fundraising Campaign, and a generous donor is matching all contributions, meaning every gala ticket purchased and every dollar raised during the live auction will be doubled! All proceeds will go toward paying down The Westdale’s mortgage debt, helping to secure our historic theatre’s future for years to come. Dressing up is encouraged, and the theme is 1930's glamour! Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online.

Family Day at Dundurn

• February 16, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard
• Bring the whole family and experience a fascinating piece of Hamilton history during Family Day at Dundurn National Historic Site. On a guided tour, discover what it was like to live and play above stairs like the MacNab family and work and live below stairs like the household staff. Join us in the Coach House Hayloft for free family-friendly crafts and activities. Regular museum admission rates apply.

Hamilton’s Heritage Day Celebration and Social

• February 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• Location: Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard
• This event is organised by the Hamilton-Wentworth Heritage Association and the Hamilton Civic Museums. This free event will celebrate the dedicated citizen volunteers and staff who help preserve the stories and memories of Hamilton's past. Join heritage enthusiasts for an afternoon of short talks on local history, celebrations, and the announcement of the 2025 Famous Hamiltonian Contest.

Pastry Palooza: Historic Cooking Workshop

• February 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Location: Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard
• This is food history at its best! Indulge your historic culinary passions and join in the fun at Pastry Palooza! Dundurn’s Cook Demonstrators will guide guests to work together and make traditional pastry recipes in our historic kitchen using our beautiful cast-iron range. Complete your immersive experience with a tasting of your prepared treats. $65 per person. Recommended for ages 14+. Pre-registration is required.

Events - Explore Your City

Hamilton Winterfest 2026

• January 31, 2026, to February 16, 2026
• Location: Across Hamilton
• From January 31 to February 16, 2026, the City of Hamilton comes alive with a dynamic celebration of our vibrant community during Winterfest 2026! Join us as we showcase a variety of Signature and Community Events designed to engage, entertain, and inspire residents and visitors alike. Get ready to fill your social calendar with unforgettable experiences throughout Hamilton Winterfest 2026!

The Junos in Hamilton

• March 26, 2026, to March 29, 2026
• Location: Across Hamilton
• The Junos are coming to Hamilton! Canada's premiere celebration of music and culture will be held right here in Hamilton on March 29, 2026. For three days beforehand, Hamilton will host multiple events, concerts, and shows honouring Canada's incredible musical talent. And, on March 26, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Music Hall (24 Main St W), the City of Hamilton is hosting a Juno Kickoff Concert with a mix of performances from some of Canada’s top-charting and rising stars. Join us in celebrating Canadian culture right here in Hamilton.

Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music

• January 27, 2026, to Friday, December 31, 2026
• Location: Tourism Hamilton Visitor Experience Centre, 28 James St N
• Celebrate Hamilton’s thriving music scene and the journey of music-making with "Punching In", an exhibit curated by Hamilton Civic Museums in collaboration with the Hamilton music community! Learn about the contributions of promoters, venue owners, songwriters, photographers and sound engineers to your favourite Hamilton songs, and revel in the nostalgia of iconic Hamilton concerts and music venues, past and present. The exhibit will highlight local musicians, including Jackie Washington, Boris Brott, Terra Lightfoot, and the Arkells, as well as the industry that helps to create and share this music. 

Greener Ward 1

Let's do our part in Ward 1 to create healthy, biodiverse neighbourhoods for all living things! Check out Greener Ward 1!

Ward 1 Infrastructure Updates

For up-to-date information on all the infrastructure projects happening in Ward 1, check out our Ward 1 Infrastructure Projects webpage.

Ward 1 Development Information

Here you can find general information on developments and their status in the planning process.

Follow along for timely Ward 1 Updates via:   

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 905-546-2416
• On social media: