• Public Information Meeting on the Chedoke Creek Watershed
• Summer Roadworks
• Jamesville MZO
• New Affordable Housing
• Comment on a Proposed Urban Boundary Expansion
• Labour Update
• Clear the Sidewalk, Please.
• Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton
• East African Community Survey
• Ward 1 Farmers Markets
• Events

Public Information Meeting on the Chedoke Creek Watershed

Since the 2018 spill in Chedoke Creek, Hamilton Water has been conducting studies as required by the province's Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks. These studies, also known as Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (MCEAs), focus on the future of the Chedoke Creek Watershed. The two MCEAs currently ongoing are:

1. Lower Chedoke Creek Enhancement MCEA – Focuses on improving water quality and naturalising the creek between Highway 403 and Cootes Paradise.
2. Chedoke Creek Watershed Stormwater Retrofits MCEA – Focuses on enhancing stormwater management and water quality in neighbourhoods in the Upper and Mid Chedoke Creek watershed.

Residents' voices are essential to ensuring that community values, local knowledge, and public priorities are reflected in the final plans. Residents can provide comments on both MCEAs on the Engage Hamilton portal from now until August 15.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the MCEA study team will host a Virtual Public Information Centre meeting to share key findings from technical studies completed to date and solicit community feedback on the preliminary list of potential solutions that will be evaluated to identify preferred solutions. Please register for the virtual meeting in advance on the Engage Hamilton portal. A short survey and comment form will be provided after the meeting, and a recording will be posted to the project page. A second meeting will be held in the future to present recommended solutions.

Summer Roadworks

Roadworks across Ward 1 are ongoing as work is conducted to ensure our infrastructure is safe and well-maintained for all users.

• Aberdeen Ave - Milling and paving of Aberdeen Ave from Dundurn St S to Longwood Rd S begins Monday, July 21. Lane restrictions will be in place.
  
  
• Main St W - north side, from approximately Haddon Ave S to Cootes Dr - Milling and paving expected to be completed by the end of July or early August. To minimise the impact on users and McMaster University, this work will be conducted at night.
  
  
• Dundurn St N - York to Jones, and Jones St, final paving and line painting are expected on Friday, July 18, weather dependent. Dundurn N will reopen to vehicles at the earliest on July 19 and the latest on July 22. 
  
  
• Westdale South - As in all outdoor work, timelines are weather-dependent. Westdale South roadworks include:

• • Resurfacing on Sterling Street, Whitton Road, Oakwood Place, and Cline Avenue North from Sterling to King - to begin complete
  • Replacing the existing painted bike lanes on Sterling Street with protected bike lanes, following the Sterling Street repaving in late July/early August.
  • Adding a raised intersection to Sterling Street and Dalewood Crescent to improve pedestrian safety at a high-crossing intersection -complete
  • Adding a raised HSR pad to the stop at Sterling Street and Forsyth Avenue North - work has begun and will be completed in conjunction with sidewalk repairs - complete.
  • Adding independent pedestrian signals to King Street West at Haddon Avenue North - mid to late August
  • Tightening the radii on Cline Street South at King Street West to slow turning traffic and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists - nearly complete, restoration still to be completed

The investments will improve the experience of all road users and make an essential connection in our community safer for everyone. The City of Hamilton issued construction letters to adjacent residents, noting that an on-site inspector would be available throughout the project to address any construction-related questions or concerns. You can also watch the video from a public meeting on these investments in October 2023. 

Jamesville Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO)

For the past decade, a significant topic of concern for Hamiltonians has been the stalled Jamesville redevelopment in the North End neighbourhood. The redevelopment of the former CityHousing townhouse complex on the northwest corner of James Street North and Strachan Street West has been on hold since September 14, 2022, when CN Rail, now a private company, appealed the council-approved redevelopment plans to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). CN Rail contends that it has concerns about the impacts of odour, vibration, and noise on residents from their nearby shunting yards along the waterfront.

For three years, the case has been pending with the OLT, with no constructive movement. After deadlines for hearings passed and no agreements were made, the Mayor requested that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issue a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO), which would terminate CN's appeal at the OLT and allow for demolition and redevelopment to proceed. If the MZO is approved, it will permit the construction of 132 for-profit stacked townhomes, a high-rise apartment building with 300 for-profit units, and two high-rise apartments with between 46 and 210 affordable units (depending on funding availability). The MZO would permit the immediate demolition of the existing structures and initiate a soil remediation program to prepare the site for development. If the MZO is not granted, the case remains at the OLT, and redevelopment can only proceed once that body has decided on CN's appeal.

As part of the MZO process, members of the public are invited to provide comments on whether they support or oppose the issuing of the MZO. The online portal for submitting comments on the proposed MZO is open now and will remain open until 11:59 PM on August 12, 2025. Comments can also be provided via email to [email protected] or by mail to Municipal Services Office - Central Ontario (Priority Projects), 12th Floor, 777 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3.

We will keep the community informed as soon as we are made aware of the Ministry's decision regarding the MZO.

New Affordable Housing

The City of Hamilton, through CityHousing Hamilton, has opened 82 new units of affordable housing in two innovative new buildings on the site of the former City Motor Hotel by the Queenston traffic circle.

Through the Rapid Housing Initiative funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CityHousing Hamilton completed 1620 Main Street East in just 13 months. Using off-site prefabrication methods, CityHousing was able to build this new six-storey, 42-unit mass timber building in record time. 1620 Main Street East is one of the first multi-residential mass-timber buildings in North America. The innovative techniques used to construct this building can help address the housing crisis with speed, efficiency, and safety.

Beside 1620 Main Street East is 55 Queenston Road, a building that offers 20 deeply affordable rent-geared-to-income units and 20 moderately affordable mid-market units. Additionally, the ground floor of 55 Queenston Road will house a new childcare centre operated by the YWCA, accommodating 26 children.

Both buildings will deliver near-net-zero energy performance and near-net-zero carbon emissions, as well as feature large solar arrays on their roofs to help generate 30 per cent of each building's annual electricity use, thereby reducing costs for CityHousing and its residents. Additionally, Communauto will have two car-share vehicles on site, and each household will receive a membership to Hamilton Bike Share.

These buildings are an essential step toward addressing the housing crisis in Hamilton. While there is much work to be done to address the systemic problems that created this crisis, the City of Hamilton remains committed to doing its part in tackling this issue through the work of the Housing Secretariat.

Since January 2024, funding has been allocated to 21 projects across Hamilton, resulting in a total of 1,202 new units of housing. An additional 59 units have been approved under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, bringing the total to 1,261 units. Of those units, 55 came online in 2024, 67 will go online this year, 141 will come online in 2026, and the remaining 998 units will come online between 2027 and 2029. The City of Hamilton's Housing Secretariat aims to sustain this momentum by supporting new projects and offering assistance to housing providers navigating the planning and development process.

Comment on a Proposed Urban Boundary Expansion

The City has received a proposal to expand Hamilton's urban boundary into both the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Plan Area. This proposed expansion would remove approximately 10 hectares of land from the Greenbelt to allow for the construction of 75 low-density dwellings (single-detached and townhomes) on a condominium road. The expansion is proposed for 159 and 163 Sulphur Springs Road, near the Mount Mary Retreat Centre and the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The proposal would see the removal of over 500 trees, two existing detached dwellings, and the private trail network on site. For the land to be developed, it would be removed from the City's Rural Area and added to the Urban Area.

A presentation by city planning staff happened on July 10, 2025. A recording of the presentation, along with all the materials provided by the applicant, is available on the City's website.

City Planning staff are seeking public comments on the proposed expansion. These comments will be used to inform the staff's recommendation to the Planning Committee when this proposal goes to the city council for a vote in September. Residents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the proposal and provide feedback to staff. Comments will be accepted until July 24, 2025 and can be sent to [email protected].

Labour Update

Since May 14, 2025, the Hamilton Ontario Water Employees Association (HOWEA), the union representing 55 members who work at Hamilton Water as Water/Wastewater Operators, Millwrights, Electricians, and Instruments & Control Technicians, had been engaging in a legal job action after unsuccessful negotiations with the City of Hamilton's bargaining team. After weeks of further negotiations, the City and HOWEA reached a new contract agreement. This contract was approved by HOWEA members on July 9 and approved by Council on July 16. The new contract, which aligns with the City's financial mandate, will be in effect until December 31, 2028.

Clear the Sidewalk, Please.

Every year, the office receives complaints about gardens and bushes impeding the sidewalk. The issue isn't the foliage itself, but that if left unattended, it tends to fall onto the sidewalks, further reducing an already narrow area. 

Hedges, shrubs, and other plant material are permitted on the boulevards provided they do not interfere with the functioning of the sidewalks and roadways. Hamilton's bylaw (83-77) states that foliage must not overhang the sidewalk, shoulder or roadway. 

So do us and your neighbours a solid and make sure your beautiful flora is off the sidewalk, that way more people can come and admire your gardens. 

Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton

The Engage Hamilton portal offers residents an opportunity to participate in shaping the future of our city. Residents can provide important feedback, offer their unique insights, and help inform the direction Hamilton takes.

There are currently some opportunities to participate that may be of interest to Ward 1 residents:

• Safe Apartments
  • A new city bylaw aims to improve apartment building conditions by requiring the annual registration of apartment buildings with two or more storeys and six or more units, conducting building evaluations, and establishing tenant service request processes to ensure that issues inside rental units are addressed. Provide input on your experience with building conditions from now until September 30, 2025.
    
    
• Solid Waste Management Master Plan
  • The Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) is a strategic framework developed by the City of Hamilton to guide the long-term management of municipal solid waste, which includes the waste materials collected at the curb on garbage day. The SWMMP is a plan to ensure Hamilton remains at the forefront of sustainable waste management and can adapt to evolving environmental challenges. This 10-minute survey will remain open for comments until 11:59 PM on August 8, 2025.

East African Community Survey

Mizizi, a community-run non-profit organisation working to connect Kenyan and East African communities to opportunities and prosperity in Hamilton, is conducting a community needs assessment to understand better the needs of East African community members in Hamilton. This will help identify long-term goals, services, and programs that can improve the social and health outcomes for the community. This survey, launched in collaboration with the Immigrants Working Centre and DiversityTalk, seeks to centre the voices of East African Hamiltonians and ensure community services are responsive to their needs.

Community members can participate in this anonymous online survey from July 9 to August 12, 2025. Any community member who participates has a one-in-three chance to win a $75 gift card for sharing their experiences. Any questions about the survey can be sent to [email protected].

Anyone interested in participating can also join a community circle. Community circles will be held at multiple locations across Hamilton and virtually between August 5 and 11, 2025. Food, refreshments, and childcare will be provided, and travel support and an honorarium will also be available. Please check Mizizi's Eventbrite for information on locations and to sign up for one of these exciting community circles.

Ward 1 Farmers Markets

Good things grow in Ontario! Ward 1's delicious and local farmers' markets have returned for the season. Stop by and pick up some local produce, chat with your neighbours, and meet the people behind your food. This year, Ward 1 has two weekly farmers' markets to choose from:

• The Locke Street Farmers Market - 260 Locke Street South (in the Locke Street Tire and Automotive Parking Lot) - every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• The Westdale Village Farmers Market - King Street West @ Marion Avenue - Every Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Events - Ward 1

Hamilton Children's Museum Pop-Up at Dundurn

• July 19, 20, 26 & 27, 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM 
• Location: Dundurn Castle, 610 York Boulevard
• Hamilton Children’s Museum will be popping up at Dundurn National Historic Site in the Historic Kitchen Garden. Bring your young family and friends for free nature-based activities in “Sophia’s Garden”, a child-focused interactive space. This program is weather-dependent and will be cancelled if there is audible thunder, heavy rain, or if temperatures exceed 40°C. Join this free, interactive event, sure to be an excellent time for young families!

Cemetery Chronicles – The War of 1812 Tour 

• Sunday, July 27, 2025, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM  
• Location: Hamilton Municipal Cemetery Gates, 777 York Boulevard 
• Join the Hamilton Military Museum, Battlefield House Museum and Cemetery Chronicles Tours to explore the captivating landscape and its rich history during the War of 1812. Journey into the past with tales of the military occupation and immerse yourself in the intriguing narratives while history comes alive on this entertaining and informative walking tour! The War of 1812 tour is free and will run rain or shine.

Sundays UnLocked

• July 20, 2025 & September 21, 2025 & October 19, 2025 
• Location: Locke Street South, between Hunter Street and Herkimer Street
• Enjoy the sights, sounds, and shops of Locke Street South during this summer’s Sundays UNLocked Open Street. From 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month, Locke Street South will be pedestrian-only as Locke’s merchants and community partners take over the street for a friendly and fun festival. 

Halton Region Master Gardeners' Garden Journeys

• August 8 - 10 & August 15 - 17, 2025 
• Location: Across Hamilton
• Come and be inspired by a wide range of gardens—some are just starting to plant native species and remove invasive species, while others are further along on the journey to creating an ecologically sustainable garden. Meet and chat with gardeners about their techniques, native plants, and tips and tricks for cultivating a sustainable garden filled with healthy native species. Garden Journeys is a free, city-wide event, so mark your calendars!

Events - Explore Your City

Hamilton Fringe Festival

• July 16 to July 27, 2025
• Location: Locations around Hamilton
• Hamilton Fringe is the city's biggest, boldest, most outrageous celebration of our creativity. This 12-day arts festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary with more shows in more locations than ever before. For information on showtimes, locations, and tickets, see the Hamilton Fringe Festival website.

Emancipation Day at Fieldcote

• August 1, 2025, 2:00-6:00 PM.
• Location: Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Rd
• August 1 is Emancipation Day, a celebration of the abolition of slavery across the British Empire and the resiliency of the Black Community in Canada. Everyone is welcome to participate in this celebration at Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, where live music, food trucks, and interactive games will be available from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.

Salsa at the Station

• August 7 & 21, 2025, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Ferguson Station, 244 King St W
• Summer of Salsa Beginner Latin dance lesson: 6:00-6:45 PM, Mini Latin dance social: 6:45-8:00 PM

Park Crawl

• August 8 & September 13-14, 2025
• Location: John Rebecca Park & Gore Park
• Park Crawl will activate both Gore Park (5:00-11:00 PM) and John Rebecca Park (4:00-6:00 PM) simultaneously on select summer days, offering attendees a variety of free and exciting family-friendly entertainment. The event will take place in both parks on June 13, July 11, August 8 and September 13 + 14.

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: