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Hamilton Police Front-Line Officers to Wear Body Cameras, Pending Police Board Approval – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 20, 2024
All of Hamilton’s front-line police officers will soon be equipped with body cameras, if the Hamilton Police Service Board approves spending $15,427,526.40 over five years to purchase and operate them.
The Chief’s report does not state how the program will be funded, nor if the HPS will use its reserve accounts to cover start-up costs. No dates for implementation are provided.
HPS states body cameras will offer “an unbiased view” of interactions between police and the public. Public calls for the use of body cameras have focused on issues of accountability and police behaviour.
The Hamilton Police Service has equipped 78 of its vehicles with camera systems.
Since implementing in-car cameras “there have been eight incidents where ICC/ALPR footage was used for investigations of member’s behaviour, with one resulting in disciplinary action being taken.”
Car cameras have decreased the number of people challenging traffic offense tickets, because of video evidence of their infractions.
“Numbers suggest that the video created by ICC/ALPR systems is having a tremendous effect on guilty pleas prior to involving the courts.”
A recent Coroners Inquest into the death of Sammy Yatim, who was shot and killed by a Toronto Police Service officer on July 27, 2013, recommended the Province mandate body worn cameras for all frontline police officers in Ontario. [The officer who shot and killed Yatim was found guilty of attempted murder and served two years in jail.]
The Hamilton Police Services states 633 positions have been idenitifed as “front-line” officers. $11,748,451.40 of the $15.4-million budget is to purchase 650 camera units and software.
In his report requesting authorization, Hamilton Chief of Police Frank Bergen states the service will need to hire seven staff to coordinate and manage the program: Five digital evidence management clerks to process video evidence to ensure disclosure to the courts and respond to freedom of information requests, a full-time techinician to maintain and repair equipment, and a sergeant as program coordinator.
Hamilton’s Police Board meets Thursday at City Hall. The public portion of the meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.


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Hamilton Public Library Says It is Covered by City Cyber Insurance, No Timeline for Full Recovery – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 14, 2024
The Hamilton Public Library (HPL) Board’s mid-March meeting included the HPL’s first public update since the library’s computer systems were shut down due to the City of Hamilton’s cybersecurity failure.
Most of the discussion was held in closed session.
“We’ve been under some clear directions from the City around this cyber incident and really encouraged us not to disclose details,  as the threat is ongoing,” Chief Librarian Paul Takala stated on March 20.
Takala stated both the City’s systems and the Library’s systems were targetted.
“In this case, the City of Hamilton, the municipality that we’re in an entity of, we’re also attacked.  They’ve really been taking the lead in terms of restoring this.”
The HPL’s computer systems were fully integrated within the City of Hamilton computer network – an unusual setup. Other large libraries operate their systems.
The City of Hamilton network lacked separations between functions, resulting in the shutdown of everything from fire computer dispatch, fire response digital maps, bus next-stop announcements, the library’s wifi next work, the Farmers’ Market door not opening due to daylight savings time switch — basically everything the City uses computers for.
“We are having some challenges with our key scan system that lets us in our doors. What happened, it was working fine, but it’s basically in an offline mode,” Takala told the Board. “When the Daylight Savings Time, kicked in … the system still thinks we’re not on Daylight Savings times.”
“We’ve had to have some workarounds to make sure people can get into the library”
The City of Hamilton is manually processing employee pay. This means some HPL employees will have to wait for overtime pay or premiums for working in different roles.
Takala says the City’s cyber-security insurance covers the costs of responding to the cyber-security incident.
“A lot of the costs associated with this are covered by the cyber insurance. So there’s a lot of extra technical help and things like that that are covered,” he told the Board.
The Chief Librarian said, “There are going to be some needed changes to our network environment, going forward, that will have some costs, and we don’t know exactly what those are right now.”
The Library Board will have to make unplanned expenditures to make these upgrades.
The Library Board praised library staff for their work responding to the cybersecurity incident and maintaining many library services.
They went into closed session following this.

source: news-thepublicrecord

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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Hamilton Public Library Updates on Impacts of City Cybersecurity Failure – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 19, 2024
On Wednesday, Hamilton’s Public Library Board received its monthly update regarding the ongoing impacts of the City of Hamilton’s cybersecurity failure.
The Library’s computer systems were fully integrated with the City of Hamilton network.
When the City network experienced its cybersecurity failure due to a lack of separation between systems, the library was impacted alongside the City’s computerized fire department dispatch system, doors to CityHousing apartment buildings, city digital files were encrypted for ransom, and impacts still not disclosed to the public.
The Library is building a new computer network.
Chief Librarian Paul Takala says the new network will be “hardened” and “better protected “to contain any damage if something does get through.
However, there remains “shared infrastructure” with the City of Hamilton, meaning the Library needs approval from City Hall before it can restore some services. It also has to wait in the queue for technical support from the City.
Public WiFi has been restored. (Update: HPL states WiFi is not yet restored at the Ancaster, Carlisle, and Valley Park branches.)
Takala says the Library is “working on trying to get printing back” for the public with a “temporary printing solution.”
He says the Library is exploring upgrades to allow people to send requests to library printers from their own devices.
Takala did not share timelines during the Library Board’s public session, saying the Library is making its “best efforts” to restore services “as quickly as we can.”
The Library continues to update the public on its website here: https://www.hpl.ca/news/frequently-asked-questions


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Hamilton to Resume Pre-Authorized Property Tax Collection on April 15 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 3, 2024
The City of Hamilton will resume collecting property taxes from approximately 68,000 property owners on Pre-Authorized Payment plans.
Since the City’s cybersecurity failure on February 25, the City has been unable to collect property taxes from this group.
The City states that monthly payment withdrawals will resume on April 15, and the March 1st payment will be collected that day.
On May 1, the City will collect payments that were due on April 1.
On May 15, the City will collect May 1st payments.
Beginning June 1, payments will occur on their scheduled dates. (i.e. June 1st payments will be collected on June 1st)
Property owners enrolled in the installment plan will have their February 29 payment withdrawn on April 30.
The April 30 payment will be collected on May 31.
The City states the “remaining withdrawals will be identified on your 2024 Final Tax bill.”
For more information, the City says “property owners who are on Pre-Authorized Payment Plans and have questions can email the City at taxsupport@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2589.”
More information is available on the City of Hamilton website here: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/cybersecurity-incident-response/pre-authorized-payment-pap-plan-property-taxes


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Jamesville Development OLT Hearing Delayed Until 2025 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 22, 2024
The Ontario Land Tribunal hearing on the Jamesville affordable and market housing redevelopment is now scheduled to begin on February 18, 2025.
In a notice issued this afternoon, the Ontario Land Tribunal states it received “a request by the City of Hamilton to adjourn the 9-day Hearing scheduled to commence on May 21, 2024”.
At 9:10 p.m. on Monday evening, the City of Hamilton state its  legal counsel sent the request on “behalf of and with the consent of all parties in the hearing.”
Previous councils decided to close the 91 rent-geared-to-income family townhouses in Jamesville housing complex to sell the 2.3-hectare site for private redevelopment.
In 2019, Marz Homes won the bid to purchase and redevelop the property. Fram/Stokker are the lead developer.
The City is retaining a portion of the property for 46 smaller CityHousing apartments, and another portion of the site will be used for a 114-unit Indwell supportive housing building.
Marz Homes, with Desantis Homes, plans to build 315 private market townhouses on the site.
On September 14, 2022, CN Rail filed its appeal to the OLT, asking the Tribunal to intervene to require better noise and environmental mitigation.
CN’s Stuart Street shutting yard is approximately 230 metres east of the Jamesville site and the main CN line runs directly south of the property.
Despite concerns expressed by CN Rail regarding noise and environmental mitigation measures, last term’s Council approved the redevelopment proposal on August 12, 2022.
The parties have attended the OLT for three case management conference hearings.
They told the Tribunal at each appearance that confidential mediation talks were ongoing and hoped to reach a settlement agreement.
In December 2023, the parties [CN, City, CityHousing Hamilton, and Jamesville Development LP] agreed to an issues list for the May 2024 hearing dates. There are 20 items on the issues list.
Last Tuesday, City Council’s planning committee met in closed session to discuss the appeal. They gave direction to city staff, and voted to keep that direction confidential.
At 9:10 p.m. on Monday evening, the City of Hamilton emailed TPR stating that the City’s legal counsel set the request on “behalf of and with the consent of all parties in the hearing.”
An OLT spokesperson confirms the parties “are working towards a resolution.”


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Jason Thorne Joins Stantec’s Urban Places Practice – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 6, 2024
The City of Hamilton’s former General Manager of Planning and Economic Development, Jason Thorne, has joined Stantec.
The company announced Friday that Thorne will “join the firm’s Urban Places practice as sector leader for Canada.”
Thorne announced his departure from the City of Hamilton in March, after working for the City for nearly a decade.
Stantec is a wide-ranging company operating in various fields including engineering and urban planning.
Thorne will work out of Stantec’s Toronto office.


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Joey’s Notepad: Builders Take Toronto to Court over Green Building Standards – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 29, 2024
Ontario’s Conservative government removed many of the green building standards implemented by the previous Liberal government, most notably in 2019, removing the requirement for new homes and condos to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The City of Toronto’s Green Standard is more stringent than the Ontario Building Code.
The Residential Construction Council of Ontario plans to challenge Toronto’s ability to implement higher standards as ultra vires, beyond the powers granted to Toronto by the provincial government.
The City of Hamilton is considering adopting its own Green Building Standards.
If the Courts strike down Toronto’s building standards, the decision will effectively stop Hamilton from implementing similar measures.
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Joey’s Notepad: Canadian Constitution Foundation v. Niagara Region – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 6, 2024
The Canadian Constitution Foundation is challenging Niagara Region’s declaration of a State of Emergency ahead of Monday’s solar eclipse.
CCF’s press release and notice of application are available on their website.
Personally, I think this is a reasonable use of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) because a solar eclipse is an extraordinary event, and Niagara Region will likely be inundated with visitors beyond its usual capacity for tourists.
The CCF advances sound arguments against the declaration, with a focus on impacts to civil liberties.
They state the eclipse does not meet the definition of emergency, which is stated in the Act as: ” a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise.”
They explain how Niagara Region already has authorities from other Acts to implement planning for the event, including enacting road closures and crowd control, and that the cited reason of seeking funding from higher levels of government is neither required nor advanced by the declaration.
The CCF is concerned municipal governments will use emergency declarations to sue extraordinary powers at the behest of “activists” regarding social issues.
“If this goes unchecked, it is a virtual guarantee that activists will argue that various social issues like homelessness and climate change also constitute states of emergency,” CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn is attributed as stated. “While these are vexing problems, they shouldn’t be used to give powers to governments extraordinary powers to trample on our rights.”
FWIW, while some municipalities declare social issues as emergencies, they do so as hollow gestures.
Hopefully, Ontario’s Divisional Court will take up the matter, even if moot, to clarify when municipalities can issue emergency declarations.


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Joey’s Notepad: Design Review Panel Working to Schedule April Meeting – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 2, 2024
Hamilton’s Design Review Panel is working to schedule a meeting in April.
The panel is working to coordinate the schedules of applicants and panel members.
DRP last met in January.
A March meeting was expected before the City’s cybersecurity failure cancelled all City of Hamilton public meetings during March.
DPR usually meets on the second Thursday of the month.


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Joey’s Notepad: Education Act to Require In-Person Attendance by Trustees and Qualifications for Integrity Commissioners – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 1, 2024
The Ontario Conservative government is proposing minimum qualifications for school board integrity commissioners, and will require school board trustees to be physically present at meetings after the 2026 election.
The changes are outlined in proposed Ontario Regulations, which are open for comment until the end of the day on April 2, 2024.
The Education Act, which governs school board trustees, and the Municipal Act, which governs municipal councils, share many similarities regarding governance, transparency, and accountability regulations.
Changes to governance rules in one are often later implemented in the other.
In this case, changes are being made to the Education Act not the Municipal Act.
Integrity Commissioners (IC) were first added to the Municipal Act in 2006. At the time, having an IC was optional.  A 2013 Law Times article says 26 municipalities had one in July of that year. (This article features Robert Swayze, one of the best ICs)
In 2017, the Municipal Act was amended to make hiring an IC mandatory for all municipalities.
In 2023, Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023, mandated school boards implement codes of conduct for trustees and retain ICs to enforce them.
The Municipal Act does not prescribe any qualifications or requirements for integrity commissioners. Municipal councils can hire anyone they wish as “integrity commissioner.”
(In July 2018, Hamilton City Council hired their former City Solicitor, Janice Atwood-Petkovski, instead of conducting a competitive process. The contract was extended three times [Contract extension: 1,2,3] before a competitive bid occurred.)
The Ontario government plans to impose qualification requirements for education ICs, including a minimum of three years of experience “in investigation or adjudication, and the application of administrative law principles including the duties of fairness and natural justice.” (Two of Hamilton’s past integrity commissioners would’ve failed this minimum qualification requirement.)
The Ministry of Education will create a roster of qualified ICs for school boards to choose from. The Ministry will use an executive search firm to create the roster.
There will be a provincial appeal process for trustees. The proposal is for a three-member panel that will decide based on written submissions.
At present, appeals of IC decisions must be made to Ontario’s Divisional Court, which is costly for everyone involved.
Beginning November 14, 2026 (the start of the 2026-30 term of office), all trustees will be required to “be physically present for all regular meetings of the board in each year of the term of office” unless they live more than 125 kilometres from the meeting location, cannot be physically present due to health reasons or “the trustee has a disability that makes attending meetings in-person more challenging may participate electronically, as necessary” and there is an exception for weather conditions such as snow storms.
It will be interesting to see if these changes are eventually added to the Municipal Act.


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Joey’s Notepad: Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath’s Strong Mayor Veto Is Third in Ontario – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 2, 2024
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath’s Strong Mayor veto appears to be the third use of a mayor’s veto since the implementation of Strong Mayor powers in Ontario.
Mayor Horwath is using her Strong Mayor veto after Hamilton Council deadlocked 8-8 on a proposal to sell portions of two municipal parking lots in Downtown Stoney Creek to be used for affordable housing.
In October 2023, then-Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie used a Strong Mayor veto in October after Mississauga Council deadlocked 5-5 against allowing fourplexes as-of-right. Allowing fourplexes is a requirement to receive federal Housing Accelerator Funds. (Days after Crombie’s fourplex mayoral bylaw was implemented, Mississauga received $112.9-million in HAF funds.)
In February 2024, Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier used a Strong Mayor veto in February to overrule Ajax Council’s 4-2 decision to impose a four percent land-value development charge on new purpose-built rental housing as a community benefits charge. (There are seven members on Ajax council, including the mayor. One was absent for the vote, they voted with the mayor on this matter earlier in the meeting.)
In September 2023, Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier used his Strong Mayor powers to introduce a bylaw to allow the construction of two 60-storey residential towers immediately south of the Ajax GO Station. Mayoral bylaws only require 1/3rd(+1) council support for implementation. (Collier explained his decision in a Twitter thread)
Collier’s bylaw passed 4-3, meaning he did not need to use his Strong Mayor powers.


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Joey’s Notepad: Looking at the New Deal for Ottawa from Hamilton – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 2, 2024
The City of Ottawa has a “new deal” with the Province of Ontario.
It includes uploading Ottawa’s municipal highway, much as the province’s “new deal” with Toronto also promises to upload Toronto’s municipal highways.
Hamilton City Council wants the province to upload the Red Hill Valley Parkway and the Lincoln Alexander Parkway.
If there are more “new deals” to be made, Hamilton should be next in line as Ontario’s third-largest single-tier municipality.
The question is Hamilton ready to make the necessary “reciprocal commitments” on affordable housing and taxing vacant units?
As part of the Ottawa new deal, Premier Doug Ford’s statement says Ottawa has committed to ” “strengthening the city’s vacant unit tax” and to “opening up municipal lands for housing development to support shared housing priorities.”
Hamilton City Council has recently voted against advancing both of these issues.
In November, Hamilton city council voted down a vacant unit tax, and last week deadlocked against opening up a municipal parking lot [land] for affordable housing development.
In this year’s provincial budget, released last week, the province granted all municipalities authority to implement a vacant home tax.
“An unoccupied home is unacceptable in a housing crisis,” the budget states.
The budget summary noted Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton already had this authority. Hamilton is the only municipality to vote down a vacant unit tax.
Last week, following city council’s 8-8 deadlock on converting the Downtown Stoney Creek parking lots to lands for affordable housing, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said she “must be able to confidently assert that Hamilton is doing everything in its power to address the housing crisis” when lobbying the provincial and federal governments.
If Hamilton wants a New Deal, what is it bringing to the table?
A reader requested the addition of how councillors voted on the Vacant Unit Tax and the Downtown Stoney Creek parking lots issue.
The VUT was defeated during bylaw confirmation on November 22, 2023. Before this unexpected vote, bylaw confirmations had been considered ‘housekeeping matters.’
In favour [of the bylaw]: Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), John-Paul Danko (Ward 8), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Craig Cassar (Ward 12), Alex Wilson (Ward 13).
Opposed: Matt Francis (Ward 5), Tom Jackson (Ward 6), Esther Pauls (Ward 7), Brad Clark (Ward 9), Jeff Beattie (Ward 10), Mike Spadafora (Ward 14).
Absent: Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).
Mayor Andrea Horwath declared a conflict of interest as the owner of a property with a vacant unit.
On tied votes, Council defeated converting portions of the municipal parking lots in Downtown Stoney Creek to be used for affordable housing at its February 21 Council General Issues Committee meeting, this was confirmed at the March 27, 2024, Council ratification meeting.
(Mayor Andrea Horwath is exercising a Strong Mayors powers veto to implement the conversation.)
Hamilton City Council votes on converting two municipal parking lots in Downtown Stoney Creek to lands to be used for affordable housing.
In favour (of conversion): Mayor Andrea Horwath, Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), John Paul Danko (Ward 8), Craig Cassar (Ward 12), Alex Wilson (Ward 13)
Opposed (to conversion): Matt Francis (Ward 5), Tom Jackson (Ward 6), Esther Pauls (Ward 7), Brad Clark (Ward 9), Jeff Beattie (Ward 10), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Mike Spadafora (Ward 14), Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).


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Joey’s Notepad: MacChangers Program Presentations – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 4, 2024
Dozens of McMaster students filled the auditorium at McMaster’s downtown campus to present their work on Monday for the MacChangers Program end-of-year presentations.
Many of this year’s projects focused on addressing food security issues among the student population, improvements to buildings to address heat issues and bird strikes, and pedestrain safety.
The MacChangers program is a non-credit co-cirrcular activity offered to McMaster University students.
Teams work on projects within one of four themes: Clean & Green Cities, Healthy & Safe Cities,  Communities Arts & Culture, and Infrastructure & the Built Environment.
For many of the students, this is their first project that ends in a poster presentation. Poster presentations are common at academic conferences, and it is a skill that will benefit the students who continue onward into graduate studies.
The presentation that caught my eye was on the topic of lighting in libraries. It was novel and can be implemented.
Long story short, university libraries continue to use commercial fluorescent tube lighting. The students documented the negative impacts of that lighting on people, the benefits of LED lighting, and recommend the inclusion of user-controlled LED lamps at individual study carrels.
As someone who routinely reads reference materials in libraries, I have to admit I never gave much thought to how poor lighting contributes to making me feel tired after a few hours of reviewing old documents.


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Joey’s Notepad: Peterborough’s 50 Tiny Homes cost $1.9M per year to operate – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 29, 2024
The City of Peterborough gave a media tour of its Tiny Home projects. A Global News report provides much insight into how the project operates. The municipality is providing the majority of the $1.9-million annual operating cost.
Municipalities must provide housing; the provincial government doesn’t.
The fiscal challenge is that municipalities collect their revenue via property taxes.
Social programs should be funded by income tax and other forms of taxation.
St. Catharines’ mayor says his city will continue to add homeless shelter beds, but they cannot sustain these services on the property tax levy.
(Provincial and federal decisions have increased homelessness, yet many of us blame municipal politicians for the problem.)
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Joey’s Notepad: The Technicalities of the Stoney Creek Parking Lot Housing Vote, and the Courts – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 23, 2024
Ontario’s new Strong Mayor veto powers are controversial because they create the ability for minority rule: mayoral bylaws that are passed with one-third of council support.
It is no surprise that with no precedent, they are arguments regarding the mechanicisms of how mayors exercise their newfound powers.
There are arguments Mayor Andrea Horwath’s use of a Strong Mayor veto regarding the Downtown Stoney Creek parking lots should be quashed by the courts as ultra vires – beyond the powers granted to the head of council.
For those making these arguments, as the courts often write, redress for political decisions is ‘through the ballot box and not the courts’.
Related: I noted the debate regarding minority rule and local democracy at the end of my Feb column on the political consequences of a mayoral veto on this issue.
Any court challenge of a municipal bylaw is limited to the questions of legality.
As the Ontario Court of Appeal wrote in Friends of Lansdowne Inc. v. Ottawa (City), “absent illegality, municipal by-laws are well insulated from judicial review. Section 272 of the Act prohibits a review of a by-law passed in good faith.”
“Thus, a court cannot interfere with an unreasonable by-law, but a court may quash one that is illegal.” [emphasis added]
Section 284.14 of the Act gives mayoral decisions similar immunity.
Further emphasising the ballot box is where political decisions are reviewed, not the court.
Let’s discuss the two parts of Mayor Horwath’s use of strong mayor powers:
1) the vetoing of the March 27 decision to not proceed with declaring the parking lots surplus to municipal need; and
2) the April 24 mayoral bylaw to declare the parking lots surplus.
A motion to “lift” and debate the Downtown Stoney Creek parking lots matter failed on a 8-8 tie vote.
This raised the question: does the failure to lift an item constitute a decision by the Council?
In consultation with the City Solicitor, the City Clerk determined it was a decision.
The Municipal Act grants the City Clerk the power to make this decision, and they made it in good faith.
Following this, Mayor Horwath vetoed “Item (g)(i)(1) of the Information Section in the General
Issues Committee Report 24-004” within bylaw 24-044.
Section 284.11(2) states: “If the head of council is of the opinion that all or part of a by-law that is subject to this section could potentially interfere with a prescribed provincial priority, the head of council may provide written notice to the council of the intent to consider vetoing the by-law.” [emphasis added]
Some argue the mayor cannot veto part of a by-law and that a veto must be of the entire bylaw.
Therefore, because Hamilton bundles most council decisions into a single confirming bylaw, the argument is that the mayor cannot exercise a Strong Mayor veto.
Reading the Act in this manner is not keeping with legislative intent.
Overriding localized opposition to housing is the clearly expressed reason the government created the strong mayor veto power.
The role of the courts in a judicial review is just that, to review.
The Supreme Court of Canada directs reviewing courts to “remit the matter to the decision maker to have it reconsider the decision, this time with the benefit of the court’s reasons,” recognizing the “legislature has entrusted the matter to the administrative decision maker, and not to the court, to decide.” (Vavilov, paras 140 to 142)
If the Division Court were to adopt a technical interpretation on the mechanics of veto implementation, it would simply instruct the City Clerk to create a separate single-issue bylaw for the purposes of a mayoral veto.
The outcome will not change.
Council will vote tomorrow (April 24) on the Mayor’s bylaw to declare the parking lots surplus.
A letter to Council argues that the Mayor’s bylaw is illegal due to a conflict between sections of the Municipal Act.
284.11.1 states that the Mayor can propose bylaws under the Municipal Act “other than under a prescribed section.”
Section 270 states that municipalities “shall adopt and maintain” a range of policies, including “with respect to its sale and other disposition of land.”
The argument is that Section 270 constitutes a “prescribed section,” and no mayor may propose a bylaw related to policy matters unless explicitly provided for under Section 284.
“Prescribed section” generally refers to areas of the Act that specify how a municipality is to act, or restrictions on actions. i.e. how to fill vacancies on council, municipal bylaw enforcement, and sale of land for tax arrears.
The Legislature cannot predict every possibility, nor can legislation be written for every possibility.
Conflicts within legislation are common and resolved by determining legislative intent.
The Premier of Ontario has articulated that using available municipal lands for housing is a provincial priority, and his government specifically said Strong Mayor powers are intended to enable housing projects despite localized opposition.
The Act does not prescribe any requirements for how municipalities sell or dispose of their land.
There is an argument to be made; nonetheless, courts will be loath to quash a mayoral bylaw without clear and convincing evidence that Section 270 is intended to constrain Section 284.
This brings us back to where we started.
As the courts often write, redress for political decisions is ‘through the ballot box and not the courts.’


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Joey’s Notepad: There’s No Strong Mayor Veto When Developers Bypass Council to the OLT – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 2, 2024
Yes, I read the comments.
I read comments that Mayor Andrea Horwath should use her Strong Mayor veto for more housing projects.
Section 284.11 of the Municipal Act states the head of council can veto “by-laws.”
The power to create bylaws is reserved to city council.
Minor Variances and non-decision appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal do not involve bylaws.
The mayor cannot veto Committee of Adjustment decisions because the CoA only approves “minor” exceptions to bylaws, they do not change bylaws.
In short, Mayor Andrea Horwath has no powers to implement zoning bylaws for various files already at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The Mayor cannot approve Darko Vranich’s request for minor variances at 734 to 756 King Street East to build a 15-storey and 12-storey tower. [If Vranich applies for zoning bylaw and official plan amendments, that’s a different story]


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Matt Francis on the Vacant Unit Tax, Opening Municipal Lands for Housing, and Seeking a “New Deal” with Ontario – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 14, 2024
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has been lobbying the provincial Conservative government for a “new deal” that will enable the City of Hamilton to gain additional revenue tools to address the city’s fiscal crisis, receive more funding to address housing and social issues, and the upload of the Red Hill Valley and Lincoln Alexander parkways.
As previously noted, both Toronto and Ottawa have “New Deals” that provide all of the above. Premier Doug Ford stated that the key to the Ottawa deal is commitments to “strengthening the city’s vacant unit tax” and to “opening up municipal lands for housing development to support shared housing priorities.”
This week, Ward 5 Councillor Matt Francis has a motion on this week’s council agenda for council to formally endorse Mayor Horwath’s efforts.
Francis voted against Hamilton’s defeated Vacant Unit Tax, and against using Downtown Stoney Creek parking lots for affordable housing.
On Wednesday, April 3, [before the Toronto vacant home tax implementation fiasco occurred] I asked him:
“You oppose both the Vacant Unit Tax and you opposed the declaration on the Stoney Creek parking lots. I’d like you to give you a chance to explain how or to discuss how you think a new deal would work for Hamilton when those are the conditions that Ottawa had.”
He responded:
“We make decisions as a council and the council decided to move forward with the vacant unit tax.
I do want to get it on record, I haven’t had too many opportunities to say it. I don’t oppose a vacant unit tax, I oppose the way that this vacant unit tax is going to be implemented. I thought there was a different way to do it. I don’t think you have to do the mandatory declaration every single year. So I want to make clear that I am not opposed to the VUT. I’m opposed to this current iteration of the VUT.
In terms of the surface parking lots, that was one parking lot. I mean, I supported the other parking lots that were in the recommendation. And now when [Ward 2] Councillor [Cameron] Kroetsch’s parking lot comes back. And if everything looks good on it, I intend to also support that parking lot. If the ward councillor in that ward does support it. So you know, we’ve made this decision as a council.”


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New City Managers: Burlington’s Hassaan Basit Starts Day 1, Hamilton’s Marnie Cluckie Reaches Day 100 on Wednesday – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 22, 2024
Burlington’s new City Manager Hassaan Basit writes that the “first 100 days on the job … likely will be the most important time in the [city manager’s] career with the municipality.”
Today is day one for Basit as Burlington’s City Manager.
Marnie Cluckie, Hamilton’s new City Manager will reach Day 100 on Wednesday.
What should city managers do with their first 100 days?
Basit has literally written the book on this topic.
He recently co-authored a book chapter entitled “Using Your First 100 Days Strategically” in the textbook The Role of Canadian City Managers: In Their Own Words.
In the chapter, Basit and co-author Patrick Moyle write that the first 100 days are when a new city manager reveals their plans, personality, and management style, all of which will answer questions about how they will lead as the city’s top public employee.
“It will be a time when first impressions take on considerable importance as council and staff assess what they really have in their new leader.”
The new city manager must “present the most positive impression possible based on a thoughtful plan” during this time.
Basit and Moyle write new city managers should not implement significant reorganizations of municipal administration.
“The biggest mistake and the most sudden move that some new [city managers] make is to implement the dreaded reorganization without taking the time to understand relationships and dependencies within and across departments.”
“To be clear, changes to structure and the people within that structure might need to occur, but you must do this correctly and prudently. The first three to six months is simply not sufficient time to understand the culture,”
They cite other books that show the “gunslinger” approach to change management does not work in municipal government.
Successful city managers know “how to manage change successfully by understanding and respecting the local culture and by thinking rationally and deliberately. They were not prone to making sudden moves.”
“The first 100 days should involve the building of three networks, two external and one internal to the organization.”
They state new city managers should seek out more experienced city managers in other municipalities for advice, they should create relationships with “community leaders, such as successful businesspeople in the community, academics, and leaders from the not-for-profit sector, including organized community groups.”
New managers should be in the community, meet with major employers, and avoid becoming trapped inside a City Hall bubble.
They need to meet front-line municipal staff.
“It is imperative that, during the first 100 days, you, as the new CAO, get out of your corner office and meet the employees who deliver the services. The interface between the taxpayer and the municipality is not the CAO, but the civic employee who collects the taxes at the counter, issues the building permit, works in the local arena, ploughs and maintains the roads, drives the transit bus, and so on.”
“There is much mystery, uncertainty, and drama during the first 100 days, so be visible. If you remain bunkered down in your office or get pulled into the vortex of meetings and processes, the potential for angst and uncertainty increases proportionally to the time spent in your wellappointed office. If you are invisible, your persona and personal brand might be developed and defined by others.”
They suggest new managers visit outside facilities “especially those that have been identified in the capital budget forecast” to learn about municipal operations and hear from front-line staff. This will improve decision making.
“There will be an expectation that the new leader will bring positive change and strive to improve the organization. Early wins, therefore, will help solidify your reputation, confirm that council made the right choice, and demonstrate to staff how you go about making decisions.”
In keeping with their opening advice to not make significant changes during the first six months as city manager, Basit and Moyle describe the first 100 days as “an opportunity to assess the senior leaders” both formally and informally.
New city managers need to determine the state of municipal leadership – is it functioning well or dysfunctional?
By the end of the first 100 days, a city manager “should be able to form a picture of the strengths and weaknesses” of senior leadership.
Barit and Moyle close their chapter with this paragraph:
“The first several months will set the stage for the balance of time you work for the community. A successful first impression can lead to a lasting and positive effect if you have an entry plan, together with the energy and commitment to lead your staff and be of service to council and the community.”
It will be interesting to see how closely Barit follows his own script.
TPR has requested a sit-down interview with Hamilton City Manager Marnie Cluckie to discuss her first 100 days.
Related: Pepper Parr writes that Basit “walks his Talk” in an op-ed published last week.


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New HSR Terminal at Lime Ridge Mall Construction to Start in 2025 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 16, 2024
According to prequalification bid documents posted by the City of Hamilton last week, the new Lime Ridge Mall HSR bus terminal will be constructed in 2025.
The new terminal will directly abut Upper Wentworth Street, in an area of the mall’s parking lot that currently houses a Tesla ‘supercharger’ station.
Eight bus stops are planned, five of which will be sized for articulated buses.  There will be no terminal building and no public washrooms, instead traditional bus shelters will be used.
$3.3-million in Metrolinx “Quick Win” funds have been allocated to the project.
In 2008, Metrolinx gave the City of Hamilton $30-million in funding for immediate transit improvements to benefit HSR rides. Metrolinx did not define ‘immediate.’
The bus terminal relocation is occurring ahead of mall owner Cadillac Fairview’s plans to redevelop the property into a mixed-use community.


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Ontario Land Tribunal Rejects Fengate LiUNA’s proposed Winona Road Towers – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 20, 2024
Fengate and LiUNA will have to return to the drawing board after the Ontario Land Tribunal ruled against their application to redevelop its Lake Ontario lands at the end of Winona Road in Stoney Creek.
Fengate LiUNA Gardens Holdings LP applied to the City of Hamilton to redevelop the 3.4-hectare property at 526 Winona Road into a residential development with 1,212 residential units anchored by two 24-storey buildings and two 15-storey buildings.
Before City Council could decide on the application, Fengate LiUNA filed a non-decision appeal to the OLT in the hope of gaining approval, notwithstanding the concerns of City planning staff the development could not be serviced by the existing road network and represented overdevelopment of the property.
During the OLT process, Fengate LiUNA decreased the density and changed the heights proposed in their development, after the City and local residents submitted their initial arguments.
The two 15-storey buildings were lowered to 12-storey each, one of the proposed 24-storey buildings was increased to 26-storeys, and the other 24-storey decreased to 22-storeys.
The townhouses were increased in height to three storeys, while the number of townhouse blocks was decreased from five to four.
The number of planned parking spots increased to 1,420 from 1,067, reflecting that public transit does not service Stoney Creek’s waterfront. The Tribunal ruled this increase provided adequate parking, removing the issue from dispute.
Ontario Land Tribunal Vice-Chair Shannon Braun ultimately agreed with the concerns stated by the City’s experts, and denied Fengate LiUNA’s appeal.
“The Tribunal finds the proposed planning instruments, and the development they would ultimately permit, are not representative of good planning,” she wrote in a 93-paragraph ruling.
The Winona Garden’s development proposed a density of 430 units per hectare.
The Fruitland-Winona Secondary Plan‘s most dense zoning is Medium Density Residential 3, which permits a maximum height of nine-storeys and a density of 50-99 units per net residential hectare.
“The Tribunal is not persuaded that intensifying to the level proposed is appropriate on this site and is not convinced that improvements to currently inadequate services and infrastructure will fall into place to meet the needs of such a high-density development,” the Tribunal ruled.
The Tribunal determined the City is responsible for upgrading the local transportation network, including upgrading the intersection at North Service Road and Fifty Road, as well as installing sidewalks.
As proposed, the development will create too much traffic for current conditions.
The City’s experts testified the proposal is ‘simply too high and too dense to be compatible with, and appropriately located in, Winona North.’
The neighbourhood is not a growth node, does not have transit service, does not have community facilities, and lacks walkable commercial businesses, they stated.
The Tribunal agreed, finding “the proposed development would be inappropriately placed in, and would not align with, the existing context and planned function for this particular neighbourhood, which does not benefit from robust transit, pedestrian/ active transportation networks or community facilities/services and local commercial uses within a convenient, walkable distance.” [emphasis in original]
Vice-Chair Braun wrote, “Notwithstanding that it predates the [current Provincial Policy Statement] and [Growth Plan], the Secondary Plan is still instructive, insofar as it does not include a high density designation and evidences the vision for this community to be characterized by lower density and built forms, at odds with what the Applicant seeks to deploy on this site.”


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Talent Leaving Hamilton City Hall, and the Mayor’s Office Shuffling Continues – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 24, 2024
Talent is leaving Hamilton’s municipal government, while at the same time, the City cannot attract qualified applicants for key positions.
GM of Planning and Economic Development Jason Thorne left in March. Now well-regarded Director of Government and Community Relations Morgan Stahl is leaving at the end of this week.
Due to the two-month-old cybersecurity failure, the City is not posting job vacancies or seeking to fill positions.
The City is also struggling to attract candidates for essential positions.
For eight months, Hamilton has been trying to recruit a new City Clerk & Director of Legislative Services. In other municipalities, this job attracts dozens of qualified candidates. Even with higher-than-average pay, the City of Hamilton’s terrible reputation keeps good people away.
Finding a replacement for Stahl will be even more challenging. Government relations is about relationships in Toronto and Ottawa—nobody at Hamilton City Hall has them, and good luck attracting external candidates to join a municipal administration that appears destined to be defeated in the 2026 municipal election.
This brings us to Mayor Andrea Horwath’s office staffing. Chief of Staff Kara McLean and Deputy Chief of Staff Siri Agrell completed their contracts and left for other opportunities.
Uzma Qureshi is acting as Chief of Staff.
Turnover in these political positions is common. Working for Hamilton’s mayor should be a stepping stone for political staffers.
However, we do have a problem in Hamilton—the mayor’s office budget does not provide adequate salaries to attract and retain qualified people for these complex roles.
HSR senior project manager transit customer experience Amanda Kinnaird is now seconded to the mayor’s office to run communications. Kinnaird was Mayor Fred Eisenberger’s communications advisor from 2014 until 2018, when she joined the HSR as a permanent city staff member.
The secondment allows for some creative accounting. However, the solution is for the council to increase the mayor’s budget to an amount which acknowledges the City of Hamilton is no longer a backwater; it is a complex municipality that needs a mayor with the resources to lead and tackle major issues.


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Ward 8 Councillor John Paul Danko’s Deleted “Toddlers” Tweet – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 4, 2024
Ward 8 Councillor John Paul Danko ‘quote tweeted’ a CBC article covering the decision of a police group to no longer donate proceeds from their golf tournament to Hamilton’s YWCA.
The group, a mix of current and retired police officers, made the switch following comments by one of the award winners against policing and the direction of the event.
Danko wrote:
“There were two recipients that went out of their way to spit in the face of those in attendance.
While I just dismiss them as ungrateful, self rightous, toddlers with a microphone, I’ll continue supporting the @YWCA_Hamilton, but certainly won’t be at future events either.”
He later deleted the tweet and posted an apology.
“Earlier, I posted a Twitter message that is beneath the dignity of my office.
I sincerely apologize and will strive to do better in future.”


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Youth Tell Their City Councillors: We Need Reliable Transit for School and Work – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 21, 2024
Hamilton’s youth came to City Hall on April 13 to tell the City Council that more needs to be done to address the housing crisis, ensure access to mental health supports, and improve bus services to enable them to succeed in Hamilton.
Saturday was the City of Hamilton’s first “Youth Town Hall,” designed to give youth an opportunity to meet with council members, with each other, and to provide feedback to the city government.
The event was co-organized by the city’s engagement office, the City’s youth engagement strategy, and Model City Hall.
Over 100 young people attended the town hall.
They were joined by members of city council: Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Alex Wilson (Ward 13), Ted McMeekin (Ward 15), and by video conference Mayor Andrea Horwath.
Following opening remarks in the council chamber, the youth meet in smaller groups to discuss six topics: mental health and addiction supports, employment and training, safe and affordable housing, safety and sense of inclusion, youth engagement and leadership, climate change and impacts.
They returned to the council chamber to share their suggestions and calls to action.
One of the themes which appeared to catch the attention of councillors were calls for better transit service in Waterdown, Binbrook, and the unreliability of the route 44-Rymal bus.
No HSR managers were present to listen to youth feedback.
A youth, who stated they live in Binbrook, told the councillors that the non-existence of transit to the area is making it hard for them to maintain working at a part-time job while volunteering in the community.
Binbrook’s councillor, Mark Tadeson, hurriedly took notes as the youth shared their story.
“Buses is a very contentious issue, and I am aware of the strain and impact upon youth employment opportunities, I am hearing you,” Tadeson responded.
Due to the City’s area-rating of transit services, taxes in Binbrook would increase by hundreds of dollars per year if HSR is expanded into the community.
Another youth said the HSR needs better early morning bus services because they must leave home at 6:30 a.m. to make it to Westdale Secondary School in time for the 8:00 a.m. bell time.
Council members committed to bringing the concerns they heard to the attention of City staff.


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BRIEF: 72 James North Receivership Sale – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 14, 2024
The mixed-use building at 72 James Street North has been sold after entering receivership. Forge & Foster Holdings Inc. and Clifton Blake Partners LP were its beneficial owners.
Forgestone Mortgage Fund LP loaned $5.7 million to 72 James Investments Inc., which has defaulted on payments. Forge & Foster listed the building for sale before the receivership; now, Forgestone is seeking to sell the property and recover its loan.
The receivership documents state that 6 of the 29 residential units are vacant, and one of the three commercial units is vacant, with a letter of intent signed for the vacant commercial unit.
This is a rare window into the rental stats of one downtown Hamilton building.
Concerningly for the tenants, the receiver’s latest report stated the building was being sold to 2793530 Ontario Inc. This company was fined for illegally denying a renovicted tenant their right to return.
Ontario’s Superior Court approved the sale in early May.


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BRIEF: OLT Settlement Hearing for Chedoke Browlands will Occur on Monday – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

17 hours ago
The decades-long saga of the Chedoke Browlands is approaching an end.
The Ontario Land Tribunal announced on Friday that a rescheduled settlement hearing will occur on Monday to approve a settlement agreement between the City of Hamilton and Valery (Chedoke Browlands) Developments Inc.
The terms of the deal will be released after the OLT issues its approval.
The OLT was to approve the settlement deal at the beginning of March. However, the City had to withdraw from the hearing due to its late February cybersecurity failure.
The Chedoke Browlands consists of 9.6 hectares of land that were formerly part of the Chedoke Hospital complex.
The lands were declared surplus in 2006 and sold in 2007 to Deanlee Management Inc.
Valery Homes purchased the property from Deanlee Management Inc. in 2012.
The lands are bound by the Niagara Escarpment to the north, and by Scenic Drive on all other sides. Chedoke Creek flows through the lands.
There is the historically designated Long & Bisby Building on the site. The building was originally constructed in 1920 as a staff residence. The site was operating as a sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis patients.
Valery Homes plans to move its corporate headquarters into this building.
The first development proposals were sent to the City of Hamilton in 2007, and the Ontario Municipal Board appeal was filed in 2010.
Deanlee Management Inc.’s original 2007 zoning and official plan application sought to build townhouses and apartment buildings of up to 10 storeys. The City Council was not supportive of this.
The plan was modified to have apartment buildings of up to six storeys, with 600 units of housing.
On June 10, 2010, City planning staff recommended that the Council approve the development. However, council delayed the approval, and the developer filed an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
In 2012, the OMB approved 529 units on the site, including six-storey buildings for the site.
In October 2020, Valery Homes submitted a new development plan to build five residential condo and apartment buildings and ten 2-storey townhouse blocks, totaling 574 apartment units and 56 townhouse units.
In May 2021, they filed their non-decision appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
In May 2022, they made a resubmission and lowered the proposed heights of buildings.
The proposal includes an 8-storey building, a 6-storey building, three 5-storey buildings, and 40 townhouses.
There will be 649 units in the apartment buildings.
The settlement deal was approved by the council during its February 23, 2024, Planning Committee meeting and ratified at the Council ratification meeting on April 10, 2024.

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BRIEF: Rosedale Tennis Club Seeks Additional $300K to $1.33M City Loan – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 19, 2024
The Rosedale Tennis Club, located with Gage Park, is asking Hamilton City Council to add $300,000 to a previously approved City interest-free loan of $1,330,000 to assist the club in paying for the replacement of its four tennis courts and dome.
In a letter to Council, the Club states it failed to secure hoped-for sponsorship money in the amount of $200,000 and faces increased costs compared to its original budget.
“We are requesting an additional $300,000 in additional loan to allow us to complete the project. The funds will cover the changes required to meet added costs for changes that are above the contingency amount set aside for the project,” writes David Scott, Rosedale Tennis Club President.
Scott writes the club is experiencing membership growth and “have reviewed our financial position and are very confident that we can cover the additional loan request.”
In addition to the loan, the club states that an existing electrical vault that services part of Gage Park, Rosedale Tennis Club and Rosedale Lawn Bowling must be replaced.
The Club requests the City fully fund this replacement, at an estimated cost of $230,000, because it serves the Park and Bowling Club.
Council will debate the letter at their May 22, 2024, ratification meeting.


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Joey’s Notepad: Municipal Councils Taking Meeting Security Measures, Some Going Online Only – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

16 hours ago
Vitriol, violence, and threats of violence are becoming all too frequent at public meetings.
I’ve been watching as a few councils have tightened their security measures, ended in-person public attendance, and even went online only for council members.
Oakville’s council switched to an online-only format for the month of March following disruptions by individuals protesting Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. In April, the Council resumed in-person meetings, with enhanced security measures. Oakville will close public in-person attendance if deemed necessary.
Kingston Council was disrupted in February, with the meeting moved to an online-only format, and in-person delegates sent home with instructions to log in by video.
Sarnia is developing policies following the disruption of its meetings by a councillor who wants to pass resolutions against the carbon tax. (The councillor apologized.)
Surrey B.C. no longer allows in-person public attendance at its meetings, following four months of disruptions by protesters demanding the council pass resolutions regarding Gaza.
Police were called to a recent Pickering council meeting after a supporter a controversial councillor refused to leave the podium. Pickering is now prohibiting out-of-town delegates.
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Council has been embroiled in a series of controversies, with tensions on council and in the community. Councillors and the mayor posted a YouTube video last week asking for calm and civility. Their City Hall will have “security improvements” implemented on June 3.
[Medicine Hat’s mayor had her powers removed following an investigation that found she violated their code of conduct in how she treated staff. As these things go, Clark has supporters who showed up at the next council meeting  notionvc: cb526a09-3c59-484e-bf55-690a9d6cac11 to protest.]
Hamilton City Council was disrupted in February 2023 when the Hamilton Encampment Support Network took over the council chamber, refusing to allow public budget delegations to continue until city council voted down the police budget.
Following this, Hamilton’s public school board began restricting access to its meetings and, knowingly violating the Charter, banned the public from bringing expressive signs into public meetings. The school board also requires members of the public to prove their identity to observe meetings.
Chatham-Kent now posts security guards at its doors. All visitors are given passes.
i) When I visited Halifax City Hall in June 2024, they asked me to sign a log book and provide valid government identification to enter the building. As a Southam Fellow, I’m recognized as a journalist across Canada and was granted entry as media. While visits by members of the public were logged in a book, the municipality does not log the comings and goings of journalists.)
ii) The 2013 Casino Issue Town Hall was a great example of passionate discourses on a divisive issue. The Yes Side was well-represented and loud, and the No Side was also well-represented and loud. People expressed strong views; there was chanting and a few interruptions, but never any safety concerns. Nobody tried to shut down the meeting, there were no threats, and no security was hired for the event. The video of the event is a time capsule; you’ll spot many familiar faces who remain active today and, sadly, a few who are no longer with us.

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Joey’s Notepad: Toxicity is Driving People Out of Municipal Politics – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 2, 2024
Quebec’s politics is honest.
People talk about problems openly and directly, which helps explain why Quebec’s provincial government is trying to address the toxicity directed against municipal politicians. (Whereas in Ontario, we see it and try to forget it is happening)
The Globe and Mail reports: “At least 741 of Quebec’s 8,000 local politicians—almost 10 percent—have quit since 2021. In a fall 2023 survey of Quebec mayors and city councillors conducted by the Union des municipalites du Quebec, 74 percent reported experiencing harassment or intimidation.”
Gatineau’s mayor abruptly resigned in February.
“[France] Bélisle said she has been witness to personal attacks that go beyond normal political criticism, including death threats from members of the public. She said she decided to quit, effective immediately, to preserve her health and her integrity,” The Canadian Press reported.
In early April, three councillors resigned in Sainte-Pétronille. [The council here issued legal notices against local residents; this one is complex]
Carleton University’s journalism program spoke to experts about how toxicity is deterring women from seeking public office.
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier shared she requires police protection.
The Province of Quebec plans to make threatening politicians a provincial offence, with fines of up to $1500. The new law will also include a fine of up to $500 for disrupting council meetings.
In my experience, threats from various political factions and extremes are becoming more common in municipal politics.
Privately, public figures share with me some of the anonymous threats they receive.
One can sense the tension in public meetings following January’s attack at Edmonton City Hall.
Hamilton City Hall now posts security guards outside the council chamber, with more security measures being considered.
On May 1st, Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff announced she is not running for re-election in the next federal election, citing toxicity as one of the reasons.
Addendum: Civil liberties groups are concerned about Quebec’s plans to make intimating municipal politicians a provincial offence. They say the legislation is too broad, vague, and prone to abuse, and it will stifle debate.


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Notepad: Drug Decriminalization Will Not Happen in Ontario – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

18 hours ago
Decriminalization of hard drugs will not occur in Ontario, and is unlikely to happen again anytime soon in Canada.
On the Friday of the Victoria Day long weekend, federal Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks denied Toronto Public Health’s application for decriminalization.
The denial came only two days after Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones released a letter she sent to the City of Toronto on May 15, publicly stating the provincial government’s opposition to the City of Toronto’s request to the federal government for drug decriminalization.
“Ontario is 100 per cent opposed,” writes Jones. “Under no circumstances will our government ever support your request.”
Jones cites British Columbia’s recent decision to end its decriminalization pilot. (The federal government quickly agreed to end the pilot.)
Decriminalization is being cited as a cause of increased disorder in British Columbia.
“If Toronto Public Health fails to rescind its misguided application, we will be forced to explore all options available to us,” Jones’ concludes the letter.
The goal of decriminalization is to prevent overdose deaths and better connect those using hard drugs with supports and pathways to treatment.
The Toronto Star ran a story explaining why decriminalization did not succeed in B.C.
Premier Doug Ford stated on May 24, “As long as I’m premier, we’re never going to decriminalize hard-core drugs.
In August 2022, last term’s Hamilton City Council voted unanimously to pursue decriminalization.
The City has yet to complete the application to the federal government for decriminalization.
The City of Hamilton remains partially shut down, three months into a cybersecurity failure. It is not known when the application will be sent.
In light of Toronto’s application being denied, the Hamilton application will likely have the same fate – denial.

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Notepad: Other Ontario Municipalities Watching Hamilton’s Renoviction Bylaw – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

19 hours ago
The City of Hamilton is the first municipality in Ontario to implement controls to prevent renovictions. (University of Waterloo’s Brian Doucet wrote a good summary of the bylaw and explained its importance.)
In January, Hamilton City Council unanimously voted to implement a bylaw to require any landlord issuing an N13 eviction notice to obtain a licence from the City proving their renovations are necessary before removing existing tenants.
Hamilton’s bylaw is modelled upon the successful New Westminster B.C. bylaw that significantly “virtually eliminated renovictions,” preserving affordable market rental housing.
The New Westminster bylaw was challenged shortly after it was passed in 2019.
The British Columbia Court of Appeal upheld the bylaw, ruling B.C. municipalities can use their general powers to create bylaws in relation to landlord and tenant matters.
The Hamilton bylaw is carefully crafted to recognize the different legal framework of Ontario’s Municipal Act, and could face legal challenges. Opponents may argue that landlord-tenant matters are outside the jurisdiction of municipal powers.
Hamilton’s bylaw is structured to withstand legal challenges.
Other Ontario municipalities, including London, Ottawa, St. Catharines, and Toronto, are looking to follow Hamilton’s lead.
The question is: Will other municipalities sit on the sidelines if Hamilton’s bylaw faces a legal challenge, or will they help Hamilton cover its legal fees?
Addendum: In July 2021, the British Columbia government amended its Residential Tenancy Act to adopt the New Westminster anti-renoviction rules.

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Notepad: Recent Ontario Municipal Closed Meeting Violations (Jan to Apr 2024) – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

16 hours ago
Ontario’s municipal governments are required to meet in public session for all be a few exceptional reasons. There are no consequences for violation Ontario’s open meeting laws.
Here are a few recent open meeting violation reports.
The council of the municipality of Casselman is being heavily chastised by Ontario’s Ombudsman for holding an illegal meeting on January 26, 2023.
The details are hard to believe.
The secret meeting was exposed when the municipality “inadvertently” published the “clandestine call” audio on its website.
“As a result of what was described to my Office as a technical mistake, the recording included a short segment before the meeting was opened as well as a very long segment after the meeting was adjourned during which members of council continued to discuss council business,” writes Ombudsman Paul Dubé.
The council discussed nine items during the clandestine meeting. They would’ve gotten away with it, but for their stupidity in recording and uploading the audio.
The audio reveals a remarkable difference between their private and public behaviour during meetings.
It is something many people at Hamilton City Hall have talked about, during the pandemic, our City Council was grossly misbehaving during closed session and using obscene gestures at each other.
Many Hamilton staff members and then-council members have shared stories, but none would go on record.
Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé writes that municipalities must provide sufficient information about their reasons for entering into closed session.
An “Update on Matter Before Administrative Tribunal affecting the Municipality” to describe a matter before the Ontario Land Tribunal is insufficient.
On this part of the complaint (and only this part), Amherstburg council violated open meeting requirements.
Windsor uses a law firm as its closed meeting investigator (instead of the Ontario Ombudsman). They hired Local Authority Services, who delegated to Aird & Berlis LLP.
Aird Berlis’s Laura Dean writes an informative report, explaining that Windsor Council failed to provide public notice of its closed meeting, did not post the meeting agenda, did not make the required public resolution to enter into closed session, voted in closed session, which the Municipal Act prohibits, and did not provide a resolution after the closed session. (TLDR: doing everything wrong)
Of note for other councils: the report says because the employment of BIA members was not the focus of discussion, the council could not use the labour relations exception to enter into closed session.
“We find the discussion regarding Council’s temporary assumption of the BIAs could have been parsed out of any discussion regarding ‘personal matter[s] about an identifiable individual’ and should have occurred in open session.”
City Clerk says councillors were uncomfortable debating budget in public. “In this type of setting it allows the councillors to ask some questions that maybe they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in an open session.” Niagara Falls Council approved their 2024 budget without proper public input.
Elliot Lake’s council was found to violate the Municipal Act’s open meeting requirement during a January 30, 2023, meeting when it removed the public and discussed the organizational chart of one of its departments in closed session.
The council claimed it discussed personal matters about identifiable individuals but did not produce any evidence to show this.
The Ombuds asked for a recording of the closed session, Elliot Lake said there was none. Accordingly, the Ombuds ruled they violated open meeting laws.
Turns out there was a video, and once the video was reviewed, the Ombuds was able to find there was no closed meeting violation.
In a report finding no closed meeting violations, the Ontario ombudsman recommends the Municipality of Temagami post its agendas online, but notes the Municipal Act does not require any municipality to publish agendas or minutes online.


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Ontario Ombudsman Investigating October 24, 2023 Hamilton Meeting – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 18, 2024
The General Counsel for Ontario’s Ombudsman says the office is investigating an October 24, 2023, meeting of Hamilton City Council’s Selection Committee for Agencies, Boards, and Sub-Committees following a closed meeting violation complaint.
“The Ombudsman’s Open Meetings Team will be investigating this complaint,” writes Laura Pettigrew in a letter dated May 8, 2024.
During this meeting, in closed session, without any public notice and without adding the discussion to the agenda, councillors discussed and decided to change the terms of reference of the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee.
The changes decreased the committee membership, and had the effect of not re-appointing long-standing committee members.
TPR covered this matter when it occurred and filed the closed meeting complaint with the Ombudsman.
The City refused to disclose which council members were present, the meeting minutes do not state which councillors voted, nor how many councillors were present during votes.
The agenda for the meeting lists one item, “Interviews for Various Agencies, Boards and Sub-Committees.”
No notice for decision-making was provided. Following 5 hours, 42 minutes, and approximately 31 seconds in closed session, councillors emerged to announce they had debated the heritage committee’s terms of reference in closed session and voted to appoint only seven people.
The public portion of the meeting was approximately three and a half minutes. [YouTube link]
Council is alleged to have violated open meeting laws by making decisions without following their procedural bylaw, discussing public matters in closed session, and not properly declaring their reasons for entering closed session.
The only item on the agenda was “interviews for Various Agencies, Boards and Sub-Committees.”
The vagueness of the title, on its own, is likely a closed meeting violation.
As Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé recently wrote, “the Act requires council to provide a level of informative detail in its resolution to go into closed session in a way that maximizes the information available to the public without undermining the reason for holding the discussion in closed session.”
By grouping the interviews into an omnibus statement, council provided less detail than they could.
Council decided the membership for three local boards and committees; the Knowles Bequest Trust, the Cleanliness and Security in the Downtown Task Force, and the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee.
The council did not disclose that they were making decisions before entering closed session, which is a closed meeting violation. The items were not added to the agenda.
Councillors debated “Amendments to the Terms of Reference for Various Sub-Committees” in closed session. Following the closed session, they voted – without any public debate – to approve amendments they made in closed session.
There are no permissible reasons for Council to debate these policies in secret.
Ethical violations by at least one member of the Selection Committee were recently investigated by Hamilton’s Integrity Commissioner.
The Commissioner concluded that a committee member leaked confidential discussion information to a member of the Committee of Adjustment, informing him that he would not be re-appointed.
The events of the October 24 meeting was not part of the Integrity Commissioner’s investigation.


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3 Easy Steps to Watch the City of Hamilton Official Council LiveStream on Mac/Linux/Windows/Chrome OS/iOS/Android/Windows Phone – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
THIS GUIDE IS ARCHIVED FOR INFORMATION, THE INFORMATION IS OUTDATED.
The City has implemented a new livestreaming service, which can be found at: https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/
The following guide will enable you to listen (watch) to the City’s official low quality livestream without installing Silverlight, and works on almost any device.
Warning: The City of Hamilton considers accessing public meeting videos outside of their strictly controlled Silverlight application to be a form of “RSS hacking”, and a violation of their website terms of use. (This guide openly encourages you to be an engaged informed citizen, and to violate the City’s ridiculous attempts to stop you from doing so.)
The Public Record is no longer able to stream public meetings at Hamilton City Hall due to changes to the City’s wifi access policies. (The Public Record’s hardwire internet access was revoked as part of the punishments imposed by Council in a 13-2 vote on February 25. 2015)
Silverlight is a Microsoft technology that even Microsoft says you should not use, after deprecating it in 2011. Security vulnerabilities are frequently discovered, and exploited by criminals. Silverlight never worked on mobile. When the City adopted it in 2012, it was widely known the technology was outdated, and only worked on Windows desktop computers.
It had one “advantage”, the City can quickly edit the videos, it’s hard for people to make copies, and the stream can be turned off quickly in the event Council is embarrassing themselves.
To stream public Hamilton City Council meetings on your device, you need the following:
Visit the VLC Media Player project webpage on your device at: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
The page should automatically detect your operating system, and provide a link stating “Download VLC”.
Android and iOS device users can download the app in app stores.
On your device, install VLC Media Player.
By default on desktops and laptop, it will seek to associate most video and audio formats with VLC as your default player. Unselect those options during installation.
The following instructions are for the desktop/laptop version of VLC. (Using your smartphone, send me a Tweet @JoeyColeman with screen captures of your VLC version)
With VLC open, go to “Media” and select “Open Network Stream”.
Now enter the Internet address of the City video stream (current as of 15 Feb 2017):
http://NEvideo.siretech.net/HamiltonCity
(Note: When the City stream is turned off, this address does not open and you get a message “VLC is unable to open the MRL”)
Once running, the City stream will appear in VLC similar to below:

author: Ed Wiens


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Hamilton City Council Information – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024


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Hamilton City Council Video and Voting Records – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record captures copies of City of Hamilton meeting video and uploads to YouTube to ensure a permanent public record of public meetings at Hamilton City Hall.
We track each vote and attendance of Councillors as part of our mandate to inform the residents of Hamilton.
Meetings are listed by date of occurrence, with a link to the YouTube video, and a link to the Google Docs copy of our voting spreadsheet.
Year: 2018 | 2019
2018: Dec
2019: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
Council General Issues Committee: December 6, 2018
Budget Overview Meeting, no votes taken.
Video on Youtube | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: December 7, 2018
Capital and Rate Budget Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Public Works Committee: December 10, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Hamilton Board of Health: December 10, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Planning Committee: December 11, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: December 12, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Hamilton Renewable Energy Board of Directors: December 12, 2018
Annual General Meeting of Municipal Corporation
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee: December 13, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | (Majority Citizen Committee, Voting Records Not Maintained by The Public Record) | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: December 14, 2018
Capital Budget Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee: December 17, 2018
Regular Meeting
No Video | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
(AF&A is responsible for the Accountability and Transparency mandate. As the parent committee of Accountability and Transparency, they sometimes “forget” to post video of their meetings)
Council Healthy and Safe Communities (Emergency and Community Services) Committee: December 17, 2018
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: December 18, 2018
Special Meeting: Cannabis Retail
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council: December 19, 2018
Regular Ratification Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet
(Note: Voting Record Spreadsheet pending) | Agenda on City website
Council Public Works Committee: January 14, 2019
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Board of Health: January 14, 2019
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council: January 14, 2019
Special Meeting: Cannabis
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Planning Committee: January 15, 2019
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 16, 2019
Regular Meeting
NOTE: Closed Session on Grey Cup claiming “Trade Secrets”
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee: January 17, 2019
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council Healthy and Safe Communities Committee (formerly Emergency and Community Services Committee) Committee: January 17, 2019
Regular Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 18, 2019
Budget Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 21, 2019
Budget Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 22, 2019
Budget – Boards & Agencies
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council: January 23, 2019
Regular Ratification Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 24, 2019
Budget – Boards & Agencies
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 25, 2019
Budget – Transit
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 29, 2019
Budget
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 30, 2019
Budget Meeting
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
Council General Issues Committee: January 31, 2019
Budget
Video on YouTube | Voting Record Spreadsheet | Agenda on City website
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McMaster Students’ Union – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 18, 2024
They began university beside a screen at home, they hope to build the campus experiences that COVID stole from them.


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Titan Recycling (Freelton) – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 17, 2024
Ontario’s Superior Court says automotive salvage at 140 Freelton Road is a grandfathered legal non-conforming land use, ending dispute between City and Titan


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TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site – Comprehensive Coverage of Hamilton's Civic Affairs

15 hours ago
Trennum’s appointment was announced to council in a confidential email on May 17. The City has not made a public announcement.
Ontario’s municipal governments are required to meet in public session for all be a few exceptional reasons. There are no consequences for violation Ontario’s open meeting laws. Here are a few recent open meeting violation reports. Casselman’s illegal council meeting is one of the wildest ombuds reports yet The council of the municipality of Casselman […]
Councils are moving online and/or restricting in-person public access to meetings as the problems of civility and decorum continue to worsen.
The deal, which is not yet public, will enable the redevelopment of the Chedoke Browlands, nearly two decades after the former hospital lands were purchased in 2006.
Following the unsuccessful decriminalization pilot in B.C., Ontario’s politicians say they will not pursue decriminalization here
Will other municipalities sit on the sidelines if Hamilton’s bylaw faces a legal challenge, or will they help Hamilton cover its legal fees?
“The funds will cover the changes required to meet added costs for changes that are above the contingency amount set aside for the project,” writes the club’s president.
During this meeting, without any public notice and without adding the discussion to the agenda, in closed session, councillors discusssed and decided to change the terms of reference of the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee
Building was owned by Forge and Foster, now held by a numbered company related to a company guilty of renovating tenants.
The Province of Quebec plans to make threatening politicians a provincial offence, with fines of up to $1500. The new law will also include a fine of up to $500 for disrupting council meetings.

created: 15 hours ago


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Our Funders. Members of The Press Club – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record depends on the support of readers just like you who believe in the value of high-quality journalism in building a better and more informed Hamilton.
Our patrons make it possible for all Hamiltonians to benefit from independent journalism that serves only the public, and that focuses upon improving our civic affairs.
If you are on this page because you are a patron of our journalism – thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you are not already a member of our Press Club, it’s easy to sign up and join hundreds of your fellow Hamiltonians in funding local journalism here.
Note: Many of our patrons choose to not be listed here. In accordance with our Code of Ethics and Journalistic Practice, any patron who gives more than $250 to a crowdfunding campaign or more than $500 during a year is listed automatically
Links to past crowdfunding campaigns on Indiegogo
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Summer 2013
Winter 2014
Spring 2014
Summer 2014
Fall 2014
Winter 2015
Spring 2017


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Our Staff and Contributors – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
Joey Coleman is the self-publisher who runs all aspects of The Public Record. His passion for local engagement began as a teenager when he spoke in front of Council in favour of the renovation of his neighbourhood Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
He later sat as the only student representative on the transition committees for the merger of the Hamilton Board of Education and Wentworth County Board of Education. In 2000, he ran for school board trustee in his home ward, Ward 5. Spending just under $500 on his campaign, he secured 23% of the vote in a three-way race.
After three years of service in the military, Joey went off to university, where he was active in campus politics and wrote about campus affairs on his blog.
In Winter 2007, he was recruited by Maclean’s to be part of a two-person team launching their daily online coverage of higher education in Canada. In August 2009, he voluntary left the site. Disillusioned by the decline of journalism into clickbait, Joey planned to leave the trade. A surprise offer to write a weekly blog post for The Globe and Mail on higher education kept him in journalism.
In 2010, Joey took a summer position in his hometown of Hamilton, reigniting his passion for journalism. In 2012, he launched his first crowdfunding campaign, and he been covering Hamilton’s civic affairs ever since as Canada’s first crowdfunded local journalist.
Joey believes the primary crisis facing journalism is a loss of public trust resulting from the collapse in local coverage. He’s working to solve this at The Public Record.
He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. You can find Joey’s personal website at www.joeycoleman.ca.
The Public Record does not engage in the practice of exploiting young journalists with unpaid internships and work for exposure.
Presently, The Public Record does not engage in work placements.
Journalism students are welcome to shadow our editor for up to two days, contact Joey to inquire about shadowing.


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Questions and Freedom of Information Requests Awaiting Answers from City of Hamilton – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The following is a partial list of the questions and freedom of information requests filed to the City of Hamilton which are awaiting answers.
2019
April | May
The City of Hamilton’s City Clerk Records and Freedom of Information office delays processing Freedom of Information requests to the extend permitted by legislation, and a large number of requests to the City of Hamilton end up at the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario. The City takes advantage of the Commission’s appeal backlog as a means of delaying required releases of public information.
During COVID-19, the City of Hamilton is temporarily allowing for email submission of FOI requests. The City is not processing any requests until payment is received by postal mail.
2019
April | May


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Shop – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024


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Support The Public Record, Become a Member of Our Press Club – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record is Canada’s first local crowdfunded news site, providing Hamiltonians comprehensive coverage of our civic affairs without fear or favour.
As a member of our Press Club, your financial support enables The Public Record to provide news for all Hamiltonians, and to continue to grow our investigations and in-depth coverage.
Members of our Press Club receive invitations to our regular Press Club coffee meet-ups, talks, and other events. Members of the Press Club receive their own Fact That Mug as our thanks for your support.
Sign up using the secure form before, and be part of producing great journalism for all Hamiltonians.
The Public Record is registered as a limited liability corporation with the Province of Ontario (2617942 Ontario Inc.)


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Thank You for Being a Member of Our Press Club – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024


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The Public Record Corrections and Errors – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record posts all of our corrections to this page to allow for easy reference.
If you are aware of an error in our reporting or on our website, please contact our editor via email, we’ll quickly review your submission and post a correction if there is an error on our site.
Here’s our listing of errors. Note that corrections prior to July 2017 are included in stories and on social media posts. As time permits, we’ll add them to this page.
Jan 9: The original version of an article stated the City of Hamilton requested applicants for public agencies, boards, and committees provide their age. In fact, the City had not. The City only requested confirmation candidates are age 18 or older.
Mar 3: Joey Coleman wrongly read a statement by the Ontario Ombudsman in a report as stating that a member of Council was excluded from an email meeting, when in fact that member had not been excluded.
Mar 4: During a series of tweets, Joey Coleman incorrectly wrong the name of a Farmer’s Market Board member as Ron Janson instead of the correct Ron Jepson. The error was brought to attention by a reader.
Mar 20: Joey Coleman misheard the seconder on the motion to hire the new City Manager. He tweeted that the seconder was Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson, in fact, the seconder was Ward 10 Councillor Maria Pearson. The tweet was deleted and corrected.
Mar 28: Joey Coleman misheard in a press scrum, initially incorrectly reporting that the RFP for Hamilton’s LRT project was extended for one month. It is extended for six months. A incorrect tweet was deleted and corrected. The story was updated with the correct information, and the corrected noted.
Apr 14: Joey Coleman incorrectly identified a person as representing Uber when they were representing Lime. The article has been corrected.
Apr 16: Joey Coleman incorrectly wrote there are 22 ambulance services in Ontario, there are 52. The error was brought to attention by a reader.
Feb 16: The original version of an article stated the development as being in the Corktown neighbourhood. It is in fact in the Stinson neighbourhood geographically.
July 12: We incorrectly reported that a new YWCA affordable housing proposal at their Ottawa Street location was transitional housing. We’ve corrected the story and apologize for the error. Except for the headline calling it transitional housing, the story was correct. The error was on our website for three hours, and was posted to our social media channels.
July 25: We incorrectly reported that Westinghouse moved its corporate headquarters out of 286 Sanford Street North (the Canadian Westinghouse Company building) in 1987, the corporate headquarters left in 1983 with some non-headquarters staff continuing to work in the building until 1987. We posted a correction to the story.
This page was created on July 6, 2017, and last updated on April 22, 2019.


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The Public Record Video Archive – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
Welcome to The Public Record Video Archives Index
Please note this page is a work in progress and may not be immediately updated with new videos. Also, we are working to catalog videos from previous years.
At present, videos are organized by date of meetings with subpages organized by Year and Month.
2015 || January


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The Public Record Video Archive for January 2016 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
Mon. 11th: Board of Health
Tues. 12th: Business Improvement Areas Advisory Committee, Planning Committee, Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities
Weds. 13th: General Issues Committee
Thurs. 14th: Governance (“Accountability & Transparency”) Cmte, Future Fund Board
Fri. 15th: Election Compliance Audit Committee
Mon. 18th: Audit Finance and Admin @ 9:30am,
Emergency and Community Services @ 1:30pm
Tues. 19th: General Issues (Budget) @ 9:3oam
Weds. 20th: Full City Council @ 5:00pm,
Hamilton Library Board @ 6:00pm
Thurs. 21st: Municipal Heritage @ 12noon,
Police Services Board @ 2:00pm,
Capital Works in Progress Sub-Cmte @ 2:30pm
Fri. 22nd: General Issues (Budget) @ 9:30am
Mon. 18th: Audit Finance and Admin @ 9:30am,

Emergency and Community Services @ 1:30pm

Tues. 19th: General Issues (Budget) @ 9:3oam

Weds. 20th: Full City Council @ 5:00pm,

Hamilton Library Board @ 6:00pm

Thurs. 21st: Municipal Heritage @ 12noon,

Police Services Board @ 2:00pm,

Capital Works in Progress Sub-Cmte @ 2:30pm

Fri. 22nd: General Issues (Budget) @ 9:30am

For Past Meetings, Visit The Public Record Video Archive


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The Public Record’s Code of Ethics and Journalistic Practice – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record is committed to providing Hamiltonians with accurate, thorough, fair journalism in all of our daily and investigative news coverage.
The Public Record owes an extra duty of care to the trust placed in us by the residents of Hamilton and the patrons who fund our work.
Our Code of Ethics is based in the Canadian Association of Journalists Ethics Guidelines, Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, the Online News Association, and other sources. Nearly all passages in our Code is sourced from these documents.
The Public Record practices a newer form of transparency community-based local journalism, many norms of traditional corporate journalism are not practiced by us. Our Code of Ethic reflects this in differing from the above cited Codes.
The Public Record strives to produce accurate in-depth coverage, if you have a complaint or are concerned about the accuracy of our reporting or a violation of our code of ethics; please contact us by email editor@thepublicrecord.ca.
Note: we presently do not publish any content produced by bots
This page last updated on July 6, 2017.
July 6, 2017: Initial posting as a working draft. Updated after posting with social media links to provide options for responding to the draft.


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The Public Record's Open Data Repositories – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site
Ed Wiens
May 9, 2024
The Public Record is committed to open journalism and open data.
Below, you will find our open data files. We’re working on a CKAN powered open data portal and apologize that our current data listing is only available as a static listing below.
Note: Council attendance and voting sheets here.
Categories: 2018 Municipal Election Data, Public Works Data
New Hamilton Ward Boundaries (Last update: December 2017)
SHP File Package (ZIP file) | KML Format | ThePublicRecord.ca story page