This edition of the Ward 1 newsletter includes:

• 2025 Budget Update
• Join us for a community free skate
• Change of date for the Ward 1 Town Hall
• Vacant Unit Tax update
• CityLab's call for challenges
• Celebrate Black History Month in Hamilton
• Events

2025 Budget Update

On February 7 and 12th, Council met to deliberate on the City of Hamilton’s 2025 Budget. This budget process differs from previous ones with the introduction of Strong Mayor Powers by the Provincial Government. Because of these changes, the City’s 2025 budget was created based on directives issued by the Mayor of Hamilton. It was the job of City councillors to familiarize themselves with the budget and propose amendments.

This year, I had the responsibility of serving as Budget Chair. To help frame the budget discussions, I provided some opening remarks on January 23 that spoke to the need for collaboration and thoughtful dialogue. You can read those comments or watch the presentation video at the following link: Councillor Maureen Wilson's Opening Remarks: Getting Back On Track. 

There has been discussion over the past week about a number of motions that were ruled “out of order” at the February 7th meeting. A motion is considered “out of order” if it does not directly address the issue at hand. In this case, city staff were given a high volume of motions the day before the meeting and needed to evaluate each motion to determine if it was relevant to the 2025 budget. I had to consider this input and deliver rulings as Budget Chair. This was an understandably challenging process. 

The motions that were ruled “out of order” did not have a direct “budget ask”, meaning they did not seek to make a specific monetary impact on the 2025 budget. Some of the motions referenced previous year’s budgets while others would have addressed future budgets, some related to advocacy around the budget but failed to include any monetary adjustments, and some were worded in such a way that made it impossible for staff to assess what the financial impact would be if passed. 

The budget work of Hamilton City Council is now complete.  Mayor Andrea Horwath has a process, as defined by the Government of Ontario, where she may consider any amendment put forward by Council over the next ten-day period, ending February 22nd.  Should the Mayor choose not to veto any amendment, the 2025 operating and capital budget for the City of Hamilton will be adopted.   

I will be writing a separate piece on the 2025 budget in the coming weeks. 

Free Family Day Skate

Join your neighbours at a Family Day free skate at Ward 1’s Coronation Arena (81 Macklin Street North). This Monday, February 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, lace up some skates and enjoy quality time with family, friends, and neighbours. 

Please see hamilton.ca/skating for more information. Hope to see you there! 

Change of Date for the Ward 1 Town Hall

Please note that we have rescheduled our town hall for April 1, 2025. This is to not interfere with the provincial election and to ensure everyone who wants to participate can make it. Hope to see you there! 

To facilitate conversation and provide a chance for all Ward 1 residents to participate, this will be a hybrid in-person/online event. You can join us:

• In-person at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) - 175 Longwood Road South.
  
  Parking is available on-site. MIP is accessible by HSR transit on routes 1 - King, 5 - Delaware, 6 - Aberdeen, 10 - B-Line, and 51 - University. There is also Hamilton Bike Share station in front of 175 Longwood Road South.
  
  
• Online via Zoom and YouTube

Pre-registration is appreciated.

Vacant Unit Tax Update

The City of Hamilton has implemented a Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) to address Hamilton’s affordable housing crisis. This tax is an additional 1% of a property’s assessed value if a residential unit sat vacant for more than 183 days in the previous year. The VUT aims to encourage property owners to keep their properties occupied instead of vacant. The revenue generated from this program will be invested in affordable housing initiatives across Hamilton. 

Property owners have from February 10 to April 30, 2025, to submit a declaration. If a declaration is not received by April 30, a residential unit will be considered vacant, and the VUT will be charged. Be sure to submit your declaration early to avoid an unnecessary charge. 

Please visit the City of Hamilton’s Vacant Unit Tax website for more information. 

CityLab Call for Challenges

CityLab is an innovation hub that brings together post-secondary students, academics, and civic leaders to build a better Hamilton for everyone. In anticipation of their 2025 program, CityLab asks Hamiltonians to submit their ideas for challenges that participants can address. Past projects have included efforts to make public transit accessible to rural seniors, conducting water testing in Chedoke Creek, and improving Hamilton’s rental market. 

If you have an idea for CityLab, you can submit it now using this link. Help build a better Hamilton through community collaboration and evidence-based policy! 

Celebrate Black History Month in Hamilton

February is Black History Month, and the City of Hamilton has a host of programs to celebrate the stories, successes, and contributions of members of the Black community. Stop by any of these wonderful local events that mark Black History Month here in Hamilton: 

• BLKOWNED Youth Vendor Highlight - February 15, 2025, 12:00 - 4:00 PM - Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch at 55 York Blvd.
  
  
• Jackie Washington Day Noon Hour Concert with Ken Whitely - February 21, 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 PM – Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch at 55 York Blvd.
  
  
• The 29th Annual Reverend John C. Holland Awards – February 22, 2025, 5:00 – 11:00 PM – LiUNA Station at 360 James St N.
  Purchase tickets through Eventbrite. 
  
  
• Soundscapes of Black Canada: A Listening Workshop with Charlie Star – February 27, 2025, 6:00 – 7:00 PM - Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch at 55 York Blvd.
  
  
• Noon Hour Concert with Big John and the Night Trippers – February 28, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM - Hamilton Public Library - Central Branch at 55 York Blvd.

Events:

Celebrate the Greenbelt

• Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 5:00 PM 
• Location: Merit Brewing, 107 James St N 
• Info: The Greenbelt is turning 20! Join Environment Hamilton for a birthday bash for this important part of our natural heritage.
• For more information or to RSVP, check out the Environment Hamilton website 

Hamilton Winterfest

• Date: February 1 to 17, 2025
• Location: Across Hamilton
• Info: From February 1-17, 2025, Hamilton Winterfest offers free and affordable concerts and crafts, dancing, theatre, fashion, art installations, and recreational activities. 

  Some of this year’s features are Winterfest POP  - A 12,000 square-foot outer space exploration designed by a team of local artists featuring LEGO, PacMan, real props from Star Trek & Star Wars, and more, and Winterfest Hub with large-scale art installations, video interactives, Art Crawl, and Valentines Day and Family Day celebrations. 

The Evolution of and History at Burlington Heights

• Date: Friday, February 21, 2025, Events starts 7:30 PM, doors open at 7:00 PM. Members free, guest $5
• Location: The Coach House at Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd. (Strathcona)
• Info: All are welcome at the Head of the Lake Historical Society meeting on Friday, February 21, 2025, where the speaker will be Dr. David Galbraith, Head of Science at the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association Food Drive

• Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
• Location: Throughout Kirkendall
• Info: The KNA Food Drive is coming up on Saturday, May 3, and we need your help. 

  If you don't currently have a KNA Food Drive sign placed on your lawn and would like one, email the KNA. We're looking for locations throughout Kirkendall, especially north of Aberdeen. If you live in an apartment or condo and currently do not receive a KNA Food Drive donation bag, email the KNA to arrange delivery. 

  Contact the KNA at [email protected] 

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!

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