• Significant Weather Events and the City's Response
• York Blvd Stairs Now OPEN!
• Ward 1 Sponsored Family Day Events
• Supporting Ward 1 Community Initiatives
• The Mayor's 2026 Tax Budget
• Water Billing Changes
• Vacant Unit Tax Reminder
• Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton
• Hamilton Business Survey
• Event Spotlight - Black History Month
• Events

Significant Weather Events and the City's Response

At 12:00 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2026, the City of Hamilton declared a "Significant Weather Event". The event concluded at 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

As with any significant weather event, there are a few important things residents should be aware of as we dig out from this major snowfall.

What is a "Significant Weather Event"?

A Significant Weather Event means that a forecasted or occurring weather hazard has the potential to pose significant impacts to road users.

This declaration came as a result of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Canada issuing an "Orange Snowfall Warning" for the City of Hamilton. The new ECC colour-coded weather alerts provide Canadians with a clear explanation of weather-related risks. Orange alerts are issued when severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts with major, widespread impacts. These alerts are uncommon and are issued only when ECC has sufficient data to predict the severity of weather events. The Orange Snowfall Warning issued over the weekend was because ECC predicted 20 to 35 centimetres of snow. Estimates indicate the City received more than 30 centimetres of snow, with select locations also receiving additional lake-effect snow.

Road clearing after a Significant Weather Event

In the City of Hamilton, the declaration of a significant weather event suspends the standard timelines associated with the City's winter maintenance objectives. City crews were mobilised to ensure Priority 1 roads (major arterial roads, parkways, and Escarpment accesses - like Main St, King St, and Beckett Dr) and Priority 2 roads (transit routes and primary collector roads - like Longwood Rd, Whitney Ave, and Locke St) were cleared quickly. The City of Hamilton's Plow Tracker App is a great way to track where snow clearing is in progress and allows anyone to see where municipal maintenance vehicles have been in the last 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours.

Due to the accompanying cold weather, the City shifted to using a salt/sand mix on roads and cautioned that snow storage, meaning places to push snow in urban areas, is significantly limited.

Parking and road use during and after a Significant Weather Event

During Significant Weather Events, residents are asked to consider keeping their vehicles off the road to allow snow plows and emergency vehicles to pass quickly.

The City of Hamilton also encourages motorists to do their part to keep roads safe in wintery conditions. Be sure to take it slow, leave extra time and space, install winter tires, keep an emergency kit in your car, drive slowly around City plows, and always plan ahead.

Parking and road use during and after a Significant Weather Event

During Significant Weather Events, residents are asked to consider keeping their vehicles off the road to allow snow plows and emergency vehicles to pass quickly. Please consider using local parking lots as an alternative if you do not have on-site parking.

The City of Hamilton also encourages motorists to do their part to keep roads safe in wintery conditions. Be sure to take it slow, leave extra time and space, install winter tires, keep an emergency kit in your car, drive slowly around City plows, and always plan ahead.

Sidewalk clearing after a Significant Weather Event

Importantly, the declaration of a Significant Weather Event means that the City of Hamilton’s Snow and Ice By-law No. 03-296 is suspended until the end of the event. The by-law normally requires residents to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their properties and roofs that overhang sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. In the case of a Significant Weather Event, the 24-hour requirement begins only after the City declares the event over. For this week's event, residents have until 8:00 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026, to ensure their sidewalks and adjacent street corners are clear, unless their home is along a City sidewalk-clearing route.

Winter response strategy for unhoused individuals

A common concern during Significant Weather Events and extreme cold is the plight of unhoused people in the community. In the City of Hamilton in December 2025, 1,980 people were considered "actively homeless". This means people residing in shelters, living with friends ("couchsurfing"), or otherwise do not have a permanent address. Of those 1,980 people, 287 were experiencing "unsheltered homelessness", meaning they were residing outdoors, including in encampments.

Even though the shelter system has expanded to include more people than ever, pressures still remain. Through the City of Hamilton's Winter Response Strategy, the City worked with community partners to expand overnight drop-in and warming spaces for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Mary's Place, Cathedral Men's Shelter, Carol Ann's Place, Cathedral Cafe, and St. Matt's at St Paul's Coach House; as well as expansion in the family system.

In addition, the City of Hamilton's Housing Focused Street Outreach Team continues to provide support seven days a week to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with services and supports.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, please consult with the City of Hamilton's Emergency Shelters and Drop-in Programs list to find the appropriate resources.

York Blvd Stairs Now OPEN!

In May of 2025, the popular York Blvd stairs at the McQuesten High Level Bridge, which provide easy access for pedestrians and cyclists between the York Blvd multi-use path and the waterfront trail at the historic Desjardins Canal, were closed after staff identified loose stones in the retaining wall adjacent to the stairs. Out of an abundance of caution for all stair users, the stairs were closed until the work was completed to ensure their safety.

Since then, the City of Hamilton has hired a structural engineering consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the wall. Their inspections indicate that the risk to stair users is low. More studies are needed - including a natural heritage study and a cultural heritage study - to ensure a permanent solution can be found.

Despite the need for additional work, we are pleased to announce that the structural engineering consultant has deemed the stairs safe for regular use. The York Blvd stairs are now open for public use. They will be regularly monitored to ensure their continued safety.

The patience of all residents has been appreciated as staff completed due diligence studies to ensure the stairs are safe for use. With the reopening of the York Blvd stairs, an important link in Ward 1's trail system has been restored, giving residents more ways to access the natural amenities in our community.

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, 202,6 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.

Supporting Ward 1 Community Initiatives

Wesley's Youth Centre

     

The Mayor's 2026 Tax Budget

This past week, members of Hamilton City Council heard presentations from the City's departments and local Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs) regarding the proposed 2026 Tax Budget. These presentations followed Mayor Horwath's release of her proposed budget on January 20, 2026.

The Mayor's directives to staff during the preparation of the budget sought, as outlined in the Mayor's memorandum to City Council, to "invest in the infrastructure and services residents rely on every day - while holding the line on affordability." Based on this, the proposed budget includes a 4.25 per cent increase in the residential tax rate.

The reason the Mayor gets to set the budget agenda is 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."

This new method of setting the municipal budget allows council members to propose changes that can be passed as a budget amendment within 30 days of the Mayor's budget being presented. This year, Council will consider amendments on Friday, February 6, 2026 and, if needed, Friday, February 13, 2026. After that, 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. 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 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.

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 Reminder

A reminder for property owners 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. Questions can be directed to City staff at [email protected].

Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton

The Engage Hamilton portal enables residents to help shape the future of our city. Residents can provide critical feedback, offer unique insights, and help inform Hamilton's direction.

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

• Maximum/Adequate Temperature By-law
  
  • In May 2023, Hamilton's City Council directed staff in Licensing and By-law Services to explore potential options for the development and introduction of a Maximum or Adequate Temperature By-law, which would impose a maximum indoor temperature of 26°C in rental units, during the warmer summer months. The City of Hamilton Climate Science Report projects that the number of consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30°C will increase and that heat waves will become more frequent. Research has identified an increased likelihood of temperature-related deaths under projected climate change and underscores the need for urgent action. Engage Hamilton is seeking perspectives on:
    • Whether a maximum/adequate temperature by-law should be imposed, and the importance of landlord-provided cooling.
    • Public knowledge and awareness respecting existing legislation, support programs and the implications of a proposed maximum/adequate temperature by-law;
    • A suite of options around cooling, which may include: a maximum/adequate temperature by-law or cooling rooms; and
    • The benefits and challenges of a proposed maximum temperature by-law.
  • There are two surveys to participate in for this round of public consultation:
    
    • A Tenant Survey for those who rent their homes
    • A Landlord Survey for those who rent units to tenants
  • Feedback will be collected until February 3, 2026.

Hamilton Business Survey

Employers in Hamilton are invited to take part in the Hamilton Business Survey. In partnership, Workforce Planning Hamilton and the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Division have organised this survey to create a more up-to-date and comprehensive picture of our community's business and employer needs. This short, confidential survey is designed to capture real-world insights from businesses, non-profits, and registered charities across the city.

In just 10 minutes, participants can share feedback on recruitment and retention, hard-to-fill roles, and business expectations for 2026. The results will be published in a community report using aggregated data to protect confidentiality and help guide local workforce planning efforts.

Fill out the survey today and help create Hamilton-specific data that will help the City of Hamilton plan for our community's business and employer needs.

Event Spotlight

Black History Month in Hamilton, February 1-28

Black History Month 2026

• Location: Central Library, 55 York Blvd
• This February, celebrate Black History Month at Hamilton Public Library and explore the histories, contributions and achievements of Black communities in Hamilton and across Canada. Visit the Central Library for free events featuring live music, author talks, workshops, and community celebrations that highlight Black creativity, culture, and knowledge. The HPL has a thoughtfully curated selection of books and materials celebrating Black history in our community and around the world, so be sure to take a look while you are there.

Black History Month at McMaster 2026

• February 2026
• Location: Across McMaster's Campus, 1280 Main St W
• Celebrate Black History Month at McMaster with this year’s theme: Rooted: Our Legacy, Our Strength, Our Future. Black History Month is not only a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black, Caribbean, and African diasporic peoples but also an opportunity to reflect on how McMaster can continue to support and uplift the Black community during February and throughout the year. This year, celebrations kick off on February 3 with an opening celebration, followed by BLK OWNED Market's Rooted: Black Excellence and Entrepreneurship, a vibrant Black-Owned Market showcasing local Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and community organisations in the Donaldson Family Atrium of MSU's Student Centre. McMaster's Equity and Inclusion Office has a list of other Black History Month programming on its website, so be sure to take a look.

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.

Events - Explore Your City

Seedy Saturday

• February 7, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Location: Central Library, 55 York Blvd
• Seedy Saturday 2026 is a great way to shake off the winter snow and get ready for the spring planting season! Hosted by Green Venture and the Hamilton Public Library, Seedy Saturday is a chance to swap seeds, meet local gardeners, explore 33 unique vendors, and participate in workshops and demonstrations that can help you in your garden.
• This year, there will be workshops on Indigenous seed-keeping practices and traditional healing plants, canning and dehydrating, and soil health. There will also be a live panel discussion from Ward 1's own Jason Allen, the Environmental Urbanist. For information about volunteering, sponsorships, and Seedy Saturday's schedule, contact Green Venture at [email protected].

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 in the celebration of Canadian culture happening 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: