This edition of the Ward 1 newsletter includes:

• Join us for a Ward 1 Town Hall
• Phase 2 of the York Boulevard Construction
• Westdale Roadworks Begin on March 31
• Advancing Our Housing Goals
• Phase-out of the Encampment Protocol
• Deadline for Vacant Unit Tax Approaching
• Property Tax Installment Extension
• Distribution of the 2025/2026 Waste Guide and Blue Waste Tags 
• Waterfront Trail Closure
• Walk 30-4-30 Challenge
• Events

Join us for a Ward 1 Town Hall

A reminder that our Ward 1 Town Hall will be happening on April 1, 2025.

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 transit on the 1 - King, 5 - Delaware, 6 - Aberdeen, 10 - B-Line, and 51 - University. There is a SoBi bike share station in front of 175 Longwood Road South.
• Online via Zoom and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Ward1Wilson).

Pre-registration is appreciated. Sign up at this link: 2025 Ward 1 Town Hall

We look forward to seeing you there!

Phase 2 of the York Boulevard Construction

The second phase of construction on York Boulevard is set to begin at the end of March/early April. This will address the lanes south of the centre median. 

Unlike Phase 1, the second phase does not include a watermain replacement. This will make for a shorter project with different detour options.

For the full overview of what to expect review the project storyboard at this link or watch a video presentation about the construction at this link.

Westdale Roadworks Begin on March 31

Road work is scheduled to begin in Westdale on March 31. This significant project will address some of the infrastructure backlog we face in Ward 1 and will be completed by August 22, 2025, weather permitting. 

This work will involve the following improvements: 

• Resurfacing on Sterling Street, Whitton Road, Oakwood Place, and on Cline Avenue North from Sterling to King 
• Replacing the existing painted bike lanes on Sterling Street with protected bike lanes 
• Adding a raised intersection to Sterling Street and Dalewood Crescent to improve pedestrian safety at a high-crossing intersection 
• Adding a raised HSR pad to the stop at Sterling Street and Forsyth Avenue North 
• Adding independent pedestrian signals to King Street West at Haddon Avenue North 
• Tightening the radii on Cline Street South at King Street West to slow turning traffic and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists 

These investments will improve the experience of all road users and make an important connection in our community safer for everyone. The City of Hamilton will have an on-site inspector available for the duration of the project who can answer any construction-related questions. You can also access this archived video link from a public meeting held regarding these investments held in October of 2023.

Advancing Our Housing Goals

Next Tuesday, March 18, 2025, I will be bringing a motion to the City of Hamilton’s Planning Committee Meeting that aims to speed up the process of getting new development applications approved through permit reform. 

The City of Hamilton has a target of bringing 47,000 new housing units online by 2031. The overwhelming majority of new units are built by the private sector. While it would be ideal to have greater investment from non-profit and public housing providers, the reality is that much of our new housing stock will have to come from private development. I provided an update regarding the state of the housing market and what the City can do next in a post from January 2024 which you can read here.

Unfortunately, last year, the City ranked last out of 23 municipalities in terms of land use approval times in a report prepared by the Altus Group for the Canadian Homebuilders’ Association. These delays may be contributing to our inability to meet our target of completing 47,000 new housing units and make progress toward ensuring Hamilton is an affordable city for all who want to live here. 

We can uphold the public interest and ensure value added service with a process which enables our City to get housing built faster. 

This motion directs staff to develop an action plan to improve the timeliness, efficiency, customer service and accessible navigation of the development approvals and building permit processes. The action plan would be informed by stakeholder participation and would be presented to council during the second quarter of 2025. 

I hope my colleagues on council will fully consider the motion and shares in the urgency of the moment. 

Phase-out of the Encampment Protocol

On March 6, 2025, Hamilton’s “Encampment Protocol” came to an end and regular enforcement of the City’s existing Parks Bylaw, which entirely prohibits camping on City-owned property, resumed. To report camping in City parks and on City-owned property, contact the Coordinated Encampment Response Team at [email protected] or call 905-546-2782. 

The Encampment Protocol was an emergency measure put in place to manage the dramatic increase in outdoor camping that began during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The City has shifted its focus to invest in permanent options for people experiencing homelessness. As part of the 2025 tax budget, a further $192 million has been allocated for investment in housing and homelessness programs. The City had added 192 temporary shelter beds and 80 temporary beds at the new Barton-Tiffany Outdoor Shelter. 

Funding for housing and homelessness cannot fall on local property taxpayers alone. Hamilton’s residents are shouldering too much of the burden for funding programs that require provincial investment. As part of our municipal advocacy efforts, the City of Hamilton has signed onto the “Solve the Crisis” campaign from the Ontario Big City Mayor’s group. We encourage residents to learn more about the campaign at this link. 

Deadline for Vacant Unit Tax Approaching

The deadline to submit your Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) Declaration is April 30, 2025. All owners of residential property in Hamilton must complete a VUT declaration if a residential unit in their home or building was vacant for more than 183 days last year. The VUT is an additional 1% of a property’s assessed value. 

Council approved the VUT as it is a proven tool to address the affordable housing crisis we face. The VUT encourages property owners to keep their properties occupied instead of vacant and the revenue generated from this program will be invested in affordable housing initiatives across Hamilton. 

The lingering effects of the Canada Post strike have resulted in some residents not receiving information about the VUT in a timely manner. As a result, Council has approved waiving of additional penalties for any declarations received after April 30, 2025. 

If any Ward 1 residents need assistance accessing the VUT declaration, have any questions about the process, or require information on alternative ways of making a declaration, please contact [email protected]. We will direct you to the appropriate sources. In addition, the City of Hamilton is hosting a VUT Drop-in Clinic at Dalewood Recreation Centre (1152 Main Street West) on Monday, March 17 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Staff will be on hand to provide assistance with any issues relating to the VUT. If residents bring their “Notice to Declare Letter” and one of their most recent property tax bills, staff can help in completing your declaration. 

You can find more information and a link to submit your declaration online at the City of Hamilton’s Vacant Unit Tax website. You can access a PDF copy of the declaration here if needed. If you would like a physical copy dropped off at your residence, please contact the Ward 1 office at the email listed above.

Property Tax Installment Extension

This is a reminder that the City of Hamilton has extended the payment deadline for the first installment of your property tax until March 31, 2025 to address any delays caused by the lingering effects of the Canada Post strike. 

Payments on your first installment can be made until March 31 without incurring the 1.25% late penalty. The second installment is due on April 30, 2025. 

If you have been affected by the Canada Post delay, please contact the Ward 1 office at [email protected] and we will connect you with someone who can help. You can also register for property tax e-billing that will allow you to receive your tax bill electronically.

You can learn more at the City of Hamilton’s Property Tax site here. 

Distribution of the 2025/2026 Waste Guide and Blue Waste Tags

Beginning on March 3, 2025, the City of Hamilton began mailing out your 2025/2026 Waste Guide. This year's Guide comes along with 12 blue trash tags that can be used to put out an extra bag of garbage throughout 2025 and into 2026. 

Your 2024/2025 green trash tags will expire on March 28, 2025. Please switch to the blue trash tags for any extra garbage bags you put out after this date. 

There are other important dates to note in the 2025/2026 Waste Guide. These are: 

• April 1, 2025: The beginning of changes to the Blue Box program. More information is available in the Guide. 
• March 3, 2025 to December 5, 2025: The seasonal yard waste collection period. Brown bagged and property sorted yard waste will be collected at the curb during this time. Please note that residential yard waste can be brought to any Community Recycling Centre year-round for free. 

If you did not receive your 2025/2026 Waste Guide or have any questions, please contact the Ward 1 office at [email protected]. We can provide replacement Guides and trash tags upon request. 

Waterfront Trail Closure

The Hamilton Waterfront Trail remains temporarily closed as City staff work to address the damage done due to an excessive build-up of ice over the past few weeks. Ice conditions in Hamilton Harbour and on the Desjardins Canal, combined with low water levels, impacted the free movement of the bridge that connects the Harbour-facing and Cootes Paradise-facing sections of the trail. As a result, a misalignment occurred, meaning the metal plates that link the bridge and trail were no longer safe and secure.  

Work is being done to craft new metal plates that will restore the connection to the bridge. The anticipated reopening date for the trail is March 17, 2025. We thank community members for the patience and look forward to this important link in our city reopening soon. 

Walk 30-4-30 Challenge

SportHamilton, Hamilton's sport council, is launching their annual Walk 30-4-30 Challenge on April 1, 2025. This challenge encourages Hamiltonians to get out in their communities and get moving for 30 minutes of continuous walking for 30 consecutive days. Walking is a great way to improve your mood, reduce your risk of cardiovascular and chronic diseases, alleviate joint pain, improve your immune system, and just stay healthy overall. 

Hamiltonians are encouraged to participate by registering and logging their activity every day throughout April. To keep participants motivated, SportHamilton is offering daily prize draws valued at $50 for everyone who records their progress. 

This year’s Walk 30-4-30 Challenge kicks off at T.B. McQueston Park (1199 Upper Wentworth Street) on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:00 PM. All are welcome to join! 

For more information, please visit the SportHamilton Walk 30-40-30 page on their website at this link. 

Events

Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction Childcare Webinar and Forum 

• Time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM 
• Location: 
  • Noon session – Online
  • Evening session – Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main Street West 
• Info: Join the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction (HRPR) for two discussions about childcare. The first session is part of the HRPR’s Lunch Hour Webinar Series, moderated by Jodi Dean. Guest speakers include former HWDSB Wards 1 and 2 Trustee Judith Bishop, Ted Hildebrant of the Social Planning and Research Council, and child care advocate Katherine Sahai. Then, later that evening, you are invited to a child care forum at Hamilton City Hall to discuss $10 a day child care. 
  

  Registration for the webinar is free. Please click here for more information.

Hamilton Bike Share’s 10th Birthday Party 

• Time: March 20, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 
• Location: The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave. North
• Info: Hamilton Bike Share is hosting a 10th birthday party and you’re invited! Join us for a free, family-friendly celebration at the Cotton Factory on Sherman Avenue North on Thursday, March 20th from 6:30 PM - 8:30PM. Meet us there, or join a group ride departing from McMaster (Forsyth at Sterling Hub) at 5:30 PM or Beasley Park (Beasley Park Hub) @ 6:15pm. There will be birthday treats from Pinch Bakery available as well. 
  

  Visit https://www.everyonerides.org/birthday for event updates and contact [email protected] with any questions.  

The Evolution of and History at Burlington Heights

• Time: Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30 PM
• Location: The Coach House at Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd. (Strathcona)
• Info: All are welcome at the Head of the Lake Historical Society meeting, Friday, March 28, 2025. Join us for a talk by Daryl MacTavish of Hamilton's Historic House Museums entitled “And Now the Field of Battle Was My Home”, a discussion about the events that led up to the June 6th, 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek.

  Doors open at 7:00 p.m., presentation at 7:30 p.m. Members free, guests $5. There will be light refreshments and an elevator available. 

Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association Food Drive

• Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025
• Location: Throughout Kirkendall
• Info: The KNA Food Drive is coming up on Saturday May 3 and we're looking for 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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