THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:
- City seeks comment on a strategy to support unhoused Hamilton residents.
- Victoria Park Spray Pad & Sun Shelter Update
- HSR's (re)Designed Network Survey & Video
- Westdale Water Sewer Chamber Construction - Sterling St & Glen Rd
- Main St W Late-night Lanes Closures June 19-23, Dundurn to Poulette
- National Indigenous History Month
- PRIDE Month
- HSR's (re)Designed Network Survey & Video
- Garden Journeys Open Days--new open-gardens event
- Events
City seeks comment on a strategy to support unhoused Hamilton residents
The City is asking residents to comment on a plan outlining where encampments could legally be set up in Hamilton.
The proposed plan follows a state of emergency declaration by the City of Hamilton and several other Ontario municipalities around people experiencing homelessness, increasing needs among the unhoused residents, and significant housing affordability challenges in the city, particularly for individuals on a limited income.
The City also reviewed its approach to encampments following the passage of the federal governments National Housing Strategy Act, which recognizes housing as a human right, as well as a recent court decision in Waterloo Region which ruled that it was a breach of encamped individuals charter rights to ask them to move if there was no shelter or other accommodations available to them.
The City is asking members of the public to
- review the background information on this topic and understand the contributing factors
- and comment on the proposals being considered by June 30. Survey
Feedback collected will inform the materials that will be presented to Council in August 2023.
In-Person Community Meetings
- Lower City Public Information Session: June 27, 2023; 7:00 PM at City Hall, Council Chambers 2nd Floor, 71 Main St W
- Mountain Public Meeting: June 19, 2023: 7:00 PM at Hamilton Mountain Meeting at Hill Park Learning Centre, 465 East 16th St
Victoria Park Spray Pad & Sun Shelter Update
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, archaeology work was expected to end last week, followed by construction mobilization on June 12th. We had heard the archaeologist found something, but not the details of the find. It turns out Indigenous artefacts were found. This is incredible and completely unexpected.
Currently, Archeological Stage 4 works are still underway onsite. In carrying out the Stage 4 archaeological works, on-site staff discovered Indigenous artefacts. Due to the discovery of these artefacts, archaeological work has temporarily paused to undergo a process to engage the appropriate Indigenous communities with the remaining archaeological work. City staff have out to the four indigenous communities who would have interest and have heard back from three of the four communities thus far. City staff have finalized the monitoring agreements for those who have identified as having an interest in the project's future archaeology works so far, and hope to have everything in order in the coming days upon connecting with the fourth First Nations group.
Currently, archaeological work is scheduled to resume onsite the week of June 26th and should be completed in approximately two days. However, this is weather dependent as there are guidelines in terms of soil conditions to complete these types of works. City staff are working with the contractor to coordinate the commencement of construction work as soon as possible upon completion of the archaeological clearing work.
Westdale Water Sewer Chamber Construction - Sterling St & Glen Rd
As residents of north and south Westdale may be aware, Hamilton Water is constructing two new real-time control (RTC) sewer chambers, one on Sterling Ave near Whitton Rd, and the second on Glen Rd east of Paradise Rd N. But what exactly is RTC, and how will it help? We went to the top guy to find out.
Sterling St neighbours, please note work will also take place on Saturdays starting June 17th in order to meet the mid-August deadline for reopening the road.
Main St W Late-night Lanes Closures June 19-23, Dundurn to Poulette
Underground watermain and sewer work on Main St W between Dundurn St S and Poulette St will see night lane closures June 19 to 23 from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The project primarily involves the installation of services in the roadway to enhance the overall infrastructure and improve connectivity for the community. Please note that this work may at times, result in excessive noise during the evening hours. Every effort will be made to do the work in a timely manner and to keep any inconvenience to a minimum. We ask for your patience during this period. In case of any enquiries, please contact the Project Manager at Briduco Enterprises: James Bernard, (289)-680-4989, [email protected] or the City of Hamilton: [email protected]
National Indigenous History Month
Join the City of Hamilton for an afternoon of Indigenous knowledge sharing, singing and drumming to celebrate the rich heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
June 21, 2023, from 12:00-3:00 PM, City Hall Forecourt, 71 Main St W
This Gathering, hosted by the City of Hamilton's Indigenous Relations team for Hamilton’s Indigenous Community will bring together the community for an evening of food, knowledge sharing and celebration. All residents are welcome to attend. Little Creek Singers will be performing. Please bring your feast bundles.
Please RSVP with the number of guests attending by June 16. Email [email protected].
June 21, 2023, from 4:30-7:30 PM, Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch, 55 York Blvd
Presented By Branches of Native Development, this conference brings together experienced educators, elders and knowledge keepers with panels on poverty reduction, education, employment, health, wellness, justice, language, and the arts. Also included are a sunrise ceremony, a fire teaching, and a water ceremony and musical entertainment on the Battlefield stage. Registration required.
June 23, 2023, from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Battlefield House Museum & Park, 77 King St W, Stoney Creek
Join the Woodland Cultural Centre in partnership with the City's Indigenous Relations team for a public screening of our new film Silent No More: A Virtual Tour of the Former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. The former Mohawk Institute Residential School (Mush Hole) was the longest-operating residential school in Canada. A building created to destroy Indigenous identity and heritage is now the home of the Woodland Cultural Centre, a site dedicated to the revitalization of Hodinohsho:ni cultures and languages. Nya:węh to our film production team, Achimowin Films, and to the generous funders of the Educational Enhancement Project, Indspirit, Brant Community Foundations, McLean Foundation, The Slaight Family Foundation, CIBC Foundation, and TD Bank Foundation.
This Film is rated PG-13, parents strongly cautioned. Some material may not be suited for children under age 13 (verbal descriptions of violence and sexual assault towards children).
June 23, 2023, from 6:30-8:00 PM, Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site (900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton, ON)
Presented By Branches of Native Development, come celebrate with the traditional Indigenous singers and musicians for a day of music and dancing. Explore the patchwork of meadow and forest in Battlefield Park and visit the art and food fair for unique cuisine and one-of-a-kind objects created by local Indigenous chefs and artists.
June 24 and June 25, 2023, from 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Battlefield House Museum & Park, 77 King Street West, Stoney Creek
PRIDE Month
A fundraiser for The AIDS Network to support those living with, affected by, and vulnerable to HIV in our community. There will be drag performances, bingo, 50/50 draws, trivia, and more through out the day.
June 17, 2023, beginning at 12;00 PM, The Well, 161 Wellington St N
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995) G
June 30, 2023, 2:00-3:30 PM
Pride Hamilton is now taking place on Sunday, August 27, 2023, 12:00-8:00 PM at Pier 4 Park, 4 Leander Dr.)
What can you expect at this year’s Pride? Sun (we hope), vendors, a beer garden, good eats, family and youth activities, and outdoor performances from Hamilton’s top talent!
We hope you’re as excited as we are!
HSR's (re)Designed Network Survey & Video
In 2019, the City of Hamilton’s Transit Division launched the (Re)envision the Hamilton Street Railway project to modernize the network and transform the customer experience. The feedback they received from nearly 13,000 interactions with customers, residents, and stakeholders helped shape the design of the concept network.
To take the next step forward, the HSR wants to hear from you. Tell them what you think about the conceptual design by completing a short survey or watch the previously recorded Ward 1 HSR presentation. Your feedback will guide any adjustments to the network before it’s presented to Council in early 2024.
On June 8th, Councillor Wilson hosted an online roundtable regarding the proposed redesign of the HSR network. Ward 1 sees many benefits if the new plan is adopted.
Garden Journeys Open Days--new open-gardens event
Garden Journeys Open Days is a new ecologically focused event looking for host gardeners! Garden Journeys Open Days brings together gardeners, aspiring gardeners, and garden lovers in an open-gardens event over two weekends in August 2023. Under the umbrella of the Halton Region Master Gardeners, the event is free for both garden hosts and visitors.
It's an opportunity for the public to visit gardens, both new and established, made by gardeners at all stages of their journey from ordinary to nature friendly. Garden Journeys Open Days will not only inspire gardeners who are just starting out on their ecological gardening journey, it will also support and celebrate gardeners already engaged and on the path.
Wherever you are on your journey to make your garden more nature-friendly, if you're interested in hosting, please check out the website for all the details. If you're interested in making your garden more nature-friendly but don't know where to begin, check out Greener Ward 1 for garden designs and other great resources to get you started.
Events
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Hamilton Arts Week Continues!, Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, various venues
- Signature Events:
-
Friday, June 16
- FrancoFEST 2023, presented by Centre Francophone Hamilton, welcomes Innu-Quebecois musician, Shauit, for a morning school show and evening concert in Gage Park.
- Sultans of String: The Refuge Projectis an ambitious and passionately political musical film with Billboard-charting world music supergroup, premiering at The Westdale.
Saturday, June 17
- Hamilton Arts Hub Mic Pass: Learn about Industry's plans to create a performing arts hub for Hamilton, hosted at Collective Arts
- Sketch Hamilton: athree-panel event at Hamilton Public Library featuring Hamilton graphic novelists and comic creators, the cartoonist at King and James.
- The Talk To Me Nice Conference:Sharing tools with creatives for self-advocacy in the arts, presented by the Tune In Foundation
- Alongside these Signature Events, community arts events will be taking place throughout the week, from performances, activities, exhibitions, and more. Check the website for more information.
- Grand Durand Garden Tour, Saturday, June 17 10am-4pm.
Discover what lies beyond the garden gates at the Grand Durand Garden Tour. Explore 11 private gardens in the historic Durand Neighbourhood, then savour a refreshing summer cream tea at Central Presbyterian church. All funds raised goes back into the community. Tickets and info at the link.
- Open Streets on King!, Sunday June 18 10am-2pm, King Street East from John Street to Gage Avenue
Join us for Open Streets on King! A stretch of King Street East from John Street to Gage Avenue will be open to participants to walk, run, bike, wheel, skateboard and roller blade with activity hubs and pop-up activations along the way. Open Streets provides an opportunity for the public to experience King Street in a unique way, with no car traffic! The event features five activity hubs that are strategically placed at future LRT stops along King Street East at Gage (Bernie Morelli,), Sherman, Wellington, Wentworth & John.
- Sunday UnLocked - Pedestrian Days, July 16, August 20, & September 17. Locke St S BIA
Ward 1 Infrastructure Updates
The are multiple projects taking place across the Ward. We have tried to encapsulate the information on a new web page.
Projects in every neighbourhood are included, from park renewal to water chamber replacement.
Greener Ward 1
Let's do our part in Ward 1 to create healthy, biodiverse neighbourhoods for all living things!
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Let's do our part in Ward 1 to create healthy, biodiverse neighbourhoods for all living things! Check out Greener Ward 1!
- Email: [email protected]
- Tel: 905-546-2416
The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America), and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.