It's July 17, 2026 and here is your bi-weekly update.

In this edition, you can find information on how to stay safe when the air quality is poor, updates on important Ward 1 park projects, info on a new online permit application portal, and so much more! There's plenty to discover in The Ward 1 Newsletter!

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• Councillor Wilson's Account for Interim Control By-Law Vote
• Road Construction Updates
• Park Project Updates
• New Online Permit Application Portal
• Staying Safe in Poor Air Quality Conditions
• Need a Family Doctor?
• In Case You Missed It
• Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton
• Events

Interim Control By-Law Vote - Accounting for Vote

The recent decision on whether to impose a one-year freeze on data centre development in Hamilton was extremely challenging. I appreciate the significant public interest this issue generated and recognize that residents hold differing views.

This file has been a journey of discovery for me. As I read more and met with residents and experts, I learned that not all data centres are alike and that Hamilton has been home to many data centres for years, serving public, institutional, and private needs. I also came to share many of the concerns raised regarding large-scale, hyperscale data centres.

At the same time, I learned that Canada's regulatory framework for data centres is still emerging and requires careful, scientifically informed deliberation and public review. This differs significantly from the United States, where regulation remains comparatively limited.

Read the full letter to residents here.

Road Construction Updates

• Main Street Watermain Lining July 20-24, 2026 - in Ward 1

• Westdale Resurfacing Construction Notice for Contract C15-31-26(H)

The first notice of forthcoming resurfacing is on its way to residents in Westdale. At his juncture, that typically means 4-6 weeks before work begins.  Residents will recieve another notice when work is about two weeks out.  Staff have reported that work around schools is the priority in order finish that section prior to school resuming in September. 

Note this is resurfacing only on the following streets; 

Westdale South Neighbourhood: Arkell Street – Cline Avenue South to Bond Street South; Barclay Street – Cline Avenue South to Marion Avenue South; South Oval – Newton Avenue to King Street West; Cline Avenue South – King Street West to Main Street West; Newton Avenue – King Street West to Main Street West; Paisley Avenue South – King Street West to Main Street West
Westdale North Neighbourhood: Devon Place – Parkside Drive to Longwood Road North; Kipling Road – Parkside Drive to Glen Road; Paradise Road North- Norwood Road to Desjardin Court: 

• Note: Westdale North is targeted for full reconstruction for most of its roads beginning with Phase 1 in 2029.

Park Project Updates

Churchill Park

Over the next few weeks, some important work will be completed around Churchill Park. This will include pouring concrete for the stairs and ramp walls around the washroom building at Parkside Dr and Devon Pl. It will also include finalising the work on the outdoor classroom area between the Lawn Bowling Clubhouse and Temple Anshe Sholom. As soon as this work is done and the new sod germinates, these areas will reopen to the public.

New pathways connecting Cootes Paradise School, Marion-Haddon, and Marion-Cline to the park network are now in place. 

Work on Churchill Park is progressing well. The City of Hamilton's park projects page contains updates about the process of the work and notices of upcoming work.

HAAA Grounds - Park Renewal

Work on the Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association (HAAA) Grounds is progressing. At present, work is being done to screen salvaged topsoil for re-use and rough grading to excavate the subgrade for new amenities has begun and will continue over the next few weeks. Work will soon begin on installing sewer lines and water services. 

Information on the background, timeline, and specifics of what's coming to the HAAA Grounds is available on the City of Hamilton's park projects webpage.

New Online Permit Application Portal

The City of Hamilton has launched a new online permit application portal available through my.hamilton.ca. This new portal will allow users to submit applications anytime, track progress in real time and receive updates throughout the process. This new system modernises the permit submission process, which will make the review and approval steps faster and more reliable. 

Users can apply for building permits, submit planning applications, apply for business licences, submit by-law requests or complains, and track all their applications and requests through the portal.

The new system will be introduced in phases, launching with core features and expanding over time to allow users and staff time to adapt to the new system. Support is available in the form of step-by-step guides, tutorials, and online resources, all through the City's website. City staff can also provide assistance at any City of Hamilton service centre during regular business hours.

Staying Safe in Poor Air Quality Conditions

Air Quality Warnings

On Wednesday, July 15, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an Orange Air Quality Warning for the City of Hamilton. Orange warnings are issued when severe weather events are likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. An Orange Warning for Air Quality is called when the Air Quality Health Index or "AQHI" reaches "10+", meaning there is a very high risk to the general population from regular outdoor activities. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions are at extremely high risk during these events and should avoid outdoor activities.

The City of Hamilton responded to the warning by offering "Cleaner Air Spaces" for residents. These spaces allow drop-ins during all stages of a poor air quality event and are equipped with high-efficiency air filtration devices that capture and reduce fine particulates from wildfire smoke. A list of these locations is available on the City of Hamilton's Air Quality webpage.

There are some simple steps residents can take to protect themselves during air quality warnings, including:

• Keeping cool - especially when a heat warning and air quality warning are issued at the same time, residents should prioritise keeping cool.
• Limiting time outdoors - stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed, using air conditioning where possible, or seeking out municipal Cleaner Air Spaces
• Updating your air filters - ensuring you have clean, good-quality air filters in all air conditioning and ventilation systems
• Using a portable air cleaner - using portable purifiers to filter fine particulates from the air
• Improving indoor air quality - reducing sources of indoor pollutants and protecting indoor spaces from wildfire smoke

The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario have helpful resources on understanding air quality and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during periods of poor air quality. The Government of Ontario also provides up-to-date AGHI reports for communities across Ontario, including Hamilton Downtown and Hamilton West.

Black Soot

The air quality warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada is separate from ongoing concerns about the impact of "black soot" on residents of the lower city.

"Black soot" and other industrial pollutants must be reported to Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP). Industrial contaminants are a serious issue, and one that the Province is responsible for addressing. Residents concerned about "black soot" or other industrial contaminants can fill out the MECP's online reporting form, email complaints or photos of contaminants to [email protected], or call the Hamilton District Office of the MECP at 905-521-7650. 

Residents can also check out the resources provided by Environment Hamilton on air quality as it relates to industrial production. Environment Hamilton's StackWatch program provides great resources and tips on identifying industrial pollutants, the appropriate people to contact, and taking an active role in protecting your community from illegal, unsafe industrial emissions.

Need a Family Doctor?

The Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) and the Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN) Primary Care Network have teamed up to help connect Hamiltonians with family doctors. Working with Health Care Connect and Ontario Health, HFHT and GHHN are offering a service to help Hamiltonians who do not have a family doctor.

If you need a family doctor, sign up with the HFHT/GHHN, and they'll help connect you with care. Check out the HFHT website, give them a call at 365-317-8117, or email [email protected] for more information. Due to the volume of patients, it may take 4-6 weeks to receive a response.

In Case You Missed It

The Ward 1 newsletter comes out every two weeks. We include important information for residents about events, policies, and programs that may be of interest. Here are some pieces from past editions that you might have missed:

• Beating the Heat and Staying Cool this Summer
  • After enduring another heat advisory this week, check out our guide on how to stay cool and safe this summer, with tips on where to find relief and how you can take care of yourself and loved ones when the temperatures rise.
• Property Tax E-Billing Scam
  • The City of Hamilton is warning residents about a scam that impersonates official communications regarding property tax bills. The only legitimate tax communications will come from "[email protected]". Be vigilant and keep an eye out for "phishing" scams.
• Taxi Scam in West Hamilton
  • Hamilton Police are asking residents to be vigilant regarding a "taxi scam" that has been perpetrated in West Hamilton. The scam involves two people who mislead an unsuspecting bystander into handing over their debit or credit card.
• Ward 1 Chronicles
  • This year, the Ward 1 Newsletter has featured a monthly story from our "Ward 1 Chronicles", detailing the historic people, places, and events in our community. Check out one of our previous editions and immerse yourself in our amazing past!
    • January 16, 2026  - Ainslie's Wood
    • February 13, 2026 - The Dundurn Gardener's Cottage
    • March 13, 2026 - West End Weather
    • April 10, 2026 - Sydney St
    • May 8, 2026 - The Life and Architecture of Stanley Roscoe
    • June 5, 2026 - Rolph Gate
    • July 3, 2026 - The Mountain Ave Maternity Hospital

Opportunities to Participate with Engage Hamilton

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

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

• Hamilton Neighbourhood Plans Review
  
  • Many of Hamilton's Neighbourhood Plans were created between the 1960s and 1990s to help guide local development and land use. Since then, planning policies have changed significantly. Today, growth and development are guided by updated provincial policies, the City's Official Plan and Secondary Plans, and master plans for transportation, parks, and recreation. As a result, many older Neighbourhood Plans are now outdated and may conflict with current planning policies, including those that support a broader range of housing options to help address Hamilton's housing needs. The City is asking residents, landowners, and community partners to help shape the review criteria, which will be used to assess each plan and recommend which plans to keep and which are no longer needed. You can participate in a Virtual Community Meeting from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on July 15 or fill out the Preliminary Review Criteria Survey until July 31, 2026.

• Hamilton's Economic Development Action Plan 2026-2030
  • This year, the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Office (EDO) is creating a new 2026-2030 economic development action plan. The previous economic development action plan reported a number of major successes, including the creation of approximately 7.7 million square feet of new industrial and commercial development. $2.5 billion in building permit values, and an estimated 11 percent increase in the number of jobs in Hamilton. Now, the City's EDO is developing a new plan and wants to hear from residents and local business owners to understand how economic changes have affected Hamiltonians. This 20 question survey will help the EDO build an economic development action plan that will guide Hamilton to 2030. The Economic Development Action Plan Survey is open until September 15, 2026.

Events - Ward 1

Westdale Live (June–October) 

• Tuesdays from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Westdale Village BIA, Marion St to Paisley Ave
• Head on down to Westdale Village for summer evenings of live music, every week on the patios in the heart of Westdale!

Sundays Unlocked Open Street

• August 16, September 20, and  October 18, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Location: Locke Street BIA, Locke St S, Herkimer St to Hunter St W
• Enjoy the sights, sounds, and shops of Locke Street South during this summer's Sundays UNLocked Open Street. Locke Street South will be pedestrian-only as Locke's merchants and community partners take over the street for a friendly and fun festival.

Local 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 - Explore Your City

Live Music at Pier 8

• Monday, July 20 and 27, 2026, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: The Pier 8 Gantry Crane, 121 Haida Avenue
• Head on down to Hamilton's waterfront for an evening of free music! Hosted by the Hamilton Public Library, Live Music at Pier 8 is all-ages series gives music lovers a chance to catch a free concert while taking in a cool breeze from the bay. On July 20, enjoy the musical stylings of Harrison Kennedy and Jesse O'Brien and, on July 27, enjoy a dusk performance by Terra Lightfoot. Bring some chairs, a snack, and your love of live music!

Emancipation Day at Griffin House

• August 1, 2026
• Location: Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Rd
• Celebrate Emancipation Day at Hamilton's own Griffin House National Historic Site on August 1 with a commemoration of the life and legacy of Enerals Griffin, who broke free from slavery in Virginia and travelled the Underground Railroad to eventually settle in Ancaster. Descendants of Griffin lived on the site for over 150 years, and now, their homestead is an important part of Hamilton's history and the history of the courageous people who walked north to freedom.

Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music

• Now 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: