The riding of Hamilton East – Stoney Creek is a key riding to watch in the upcoming April 28 federal election. Just three months ago, Conservative Party of Canada candidate Ned Kuruc looked set to easily win the riding. However, after Justin Trudeau’s resignation and a dramatic shift in the polls, Liberal incumbent Chad Collins […]

With the federal election less than two weeks away, The Hamilton Independent reached out to Hamilton’s municipal councillors to see if they stand with a particular political party. Only one local councillor, Ted McMeekin (Ward 15 – East Flamborough – Waterdown), replied with a formal endorsement. McMeekin, who was a Liberal Party Member of Provincial […]

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre recently came to Stoney Creek, holding a rally that reportedly attracted over 4,500 people. The event, which was held at modular construction company Fero International (South Service Road near McNeilly Road), took place on Mar. 25 and was one of Poilievre’s first rallies of the election campaign. Poilievre has since […]

Oak View Group, the organization renovating the Hamilton Arena (formerly the FirstOntario Centre/Copps Coliseum), announced that they have confirmed two major events for the venue – a concert featuring Andrea Bocelli on Dec. 9, 2025 and the 2026 Juno Awards in the spring. Their website now also confirms that the arena will be opening in […]

CityHousing Hamilton, the City of Hamilton’s municipally run affordable housing provider, recently celebrated the opening of 55 units of affordable housing at 106 Bay Street North. The new building near the Cannon Street West and Bay Street North intersection was formerly a parking lot that CityHousing Hamilton acquired in 2018 with the aim of increasing […]

The City of Hamilton recently released a new Tourism Strategy meant to help establish the city “as a leading Canadian destination celebrated for its vibrant tourism districts, captivating nature-based activities, and authentic and sustainable experiences.” The strategy is meant to cover until 2028 and builds on the city’s first Tourism Strategy, which covered 2015-20. The […]

Hamilton was awarded a Silver Certification for achieving between 51 and 67 per cent of the criteria. The City of Hamilton recently received Silver Certification from the What Works Cities Certification Program launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies and led by Results for America. The certification “recognizes and celebrates local governments for their exceptional use of data […]

The blue box program in Hamilton will now be managed by a private non-profit organization rather than the city as provincial changes came into effect on April 1. The changes, which are Ontario-wide, are expected to save the city millions of dollars per year, since municipalities were previously responsible for paying about 50 per cent […]

Construction is well underway on the City of Hamilton’s new $396-million bus maintenance and storage facility at 281 Birch Avenue in the Lower City, a project that is expected to be fully operational by the fall of 2026. The new bus depot is located northwest of the Barton and Sherman intersection at the corner of […]

To those Hamiltonians wondering why they all of a sudden live in a different federal riding than in the 2021 election and even than in the provincial election in February, the answer is that the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission adjusted the electoral map in a process that takes place every 10 years. The boundaries across […]

A federal election has been called for Monday, April 28, a week after Easter, and the City of Hamilton could be a key electoral battleground. In the latest news, Hamilton City Councillor John-Paul Danko (Ward 8 – West/Central Mountain) is running for the Liberal Party in Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas, a riding that […]

A new report from RE/MAX Canada shows that Hamilton area housing prices have tripled over 15 years with a supply shortage, “unprecedented” population growth, and “hefty development charges” fueling the surge. The document states that the average residential price in Hamilton-Burlington was $253,887 in 2006 and rose to $879,466 in 2021 – a 246 per […]

The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, in partnership with the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, is appealing an Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision that determined that the City of Hamilton has the right to clear homeless encampments. The appeal was filed on behalf of 14 individuals who were homeless between August 2021 and August […]

Hamilton’s season officially begins on Saturday, June 7 in Calgary, with their home opener on Saturday, June 14 against Saskatchewan. With the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Canadian Football League (CFL) training camp about two months away, their 2025 roster is beginning to take shape with some key additions including all-star receiver and two-time Grey Cup champion Kenny […]

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) released their summer flight schedule and also announced that construction work is underway on their multimillion-dollar terminal enhancement project. The biggest change to the schedule, which was announced in February, is that Porter Airlines will begin service out of Hamilton starting in June. Porter will offer direct daily […]

CityHousing Hamilton (CHH), the municipally-owned affordable housing provider in the City of Hamilton, recently announced that they have driven their vacancy rate down to an all-time low of 2.2 per cent after a peak of over 9.0 per cent in early 2023. CHH says that, on average, 40 to 50 units within their housing portfolio […]

City of Hamilton staff have begun removing encampments from parks after Council officially ended the municipal Encampment Protocol on March 6. The motion to end the Encampment Protocol was brought forward at a Jan. 15 General Issues Committee meeting by Councillor Mike Spadafora (Ward 14 – West Mountain) and was seconded by Councillor Tom Jackson […]

Hamilton City Council voted to approve changes to allow for the expanded procurement of local and Canadian goods, services, and construction in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariff attacks on Canada. There are two methods through which the City of Hamilton awards contracts: through a Request for Quotations and through a Request for Tenders. […]

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath was in Washington D.C. from March 4 to March 7 amid the ongoing tariff war with the United States.  While the trip was for the annual Great Lakes Day advocacy event celebrated by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI), the event also gave the mayor a chance to […]

The Home Renovation Savings Program is part of the Ontario government’s $10.9 billion, 12-year investment in energy efficiency. Photo Credit: Pexels.  At the end of January, the Ontario government announced the launch of a new program which will offer rebates of up to 30 per cent for home energy efficiency renovations and improvements, including new […]

Voter turnout in Hamilton’s 2022 municipal election was 35.38 per cent. Photo Credit: Pexels. City of Hamilton staff are working to improve the municipal electoral process in the city ahead of the 2026 election, but at least one recommendation from the city’s auditor general was met with concern from Councillors. Auditor General Charles Brown recommended […]

Councillor Esther Pauls (Ward 7 – Central Mountain) was acclaimed as Vice Chair. Pictured: Board Chair Don Robertson. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Services Board.  The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) Board recently announced that Shaun Padulo, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ontario Shipyards, has been appointed to serve on the board for the […]

The site is being managed by Good Shepherd Centres in partnership with the City of Hamilton. Photo Credit: Jeff Harti/LinkedIn.  The City of Hamilton’s Barton-Tiffany tiny shelter project, which has been marred by controversy and delays, has finally begun to welcome its first residents, according to a press release issued on Feb. 25. However, the […]

It’s the first time the PCs have won three seats in Hamilton since 1995. Pictured: Hamilton Mountain MPP-Elect Monica Ciriello. Photo Credit: Monica Ciriello/X.  The City of Hamilton has officially gone blue, with Premier Doug Ford’s Ontario PC Party winning three of five local seats on election night last Thursday. Donna Skelly was re-elected for […]

Hamilton is going to begin charging stormwater fees, also called a rain tax, on April 1, 2026. Pictured: Donna Skelly. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  Donna Skelly, who has served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Flamborough-Glanbrook since 2018, has vowed to prohibit municipalities from charging stormwater fees on agricultural land through a motion in […]

The 2025 property tax increase comes in slightly lower than the 5.79 per cent increase made in 2024. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  After weeks of deliberations, the City of Hamilton’s property tax increase for 2025 was finally made official and the hit for residents will be 5.6 per cent (an […]

The city poet receives a $10,000 honorarium each year as well as $15,000 for program-related expenses. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  A motion brought forward by Councillor Matt Francis (Ward 5 – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) to save money by cancelling the city poet pilot program failed on an 8-8 vote during […]

Skelly is projected to easily win re-election on Feb. 27. Pictured: MPP Donna Skelly. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  Incumbent Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Donna Skelly defended the Ontario PC Party’s record in government in the Flamborough-Glanbrook election debate last week on Hamilton’s Cable 14. Skelly began the debate by saying, “I believe that this […]

The motion was seconded by Councillor Alex Wilson. Pictured: Councillor Cameron Kroetsch. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  At a Hamilton Council budget meeting on Feb. 7, Councillor Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2 – Downtown Hamilton) brought forward a motion to defund the 2025 police budget that was approved by the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) Board. The […]

Other cities in Ontario have enacted similar by-laws. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  Hamilton City Council is considering a new bylaw to prohibit protests near places of worship after a motion at the 11-member municipal Planning Committee was passed 10-1 to have staff report back on the matter. The motion, which […]

Damptey ran for Hamilton City Council in 2022 on the West Mountain in Ward 14, losing to Councillor Mike Spadafora by only 79 votes. Photo Credit: Kojo Damptey/X.  Kojo Damptey, who was nominated as the Ontario NDP’s candidate for Hamilton Mountain in the upcoming Feb. 27 provincial election, has called for the police to be […]

Students as young as 14 can apply. Photo Credit: Pexels.  Even though summer is about five months away, many organizations across the City of Hamilton are already beginning to hire students for summer jobs. While most positions are geared towards post-secondary students, some jobs also take high school students as young as 14 years of […]

Ford says the project will help drivers get out of gridlock and keep workers working. Pictured: Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  At a campaign stop in Niagara Falls at the end of January, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that his government will look to widen the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) between Burlington and […]

The motion put forward by Councillor John-Paul Danko passed unanimously in a 16 to 0 vote. Pictured: Councillor John-Paul Danko. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. A motion brought forward by Councillor John-Paul Danko (Ward 8 – West/Central Mountain) to have city staff review the city’s controversial tiny shelter purchase was approved by Hamilton Council on […]

The projects in question would provide 440 units of affordable housing and 435 supportive housing units. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  In January the City of Hamilton announced that they are distributing $8.2 million for 11 different affordable housing projects through the new Affordable Housing Development Project Stream. Some of the […]

In response to the findings, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called for more funds from provincial and federal governments. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. A new report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), which represents Ontario’s 444 municipal governments, has determined that more than 80,000 people in Ontario experienced homelessness […]

Porter Airlines will offer daily flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, and Vancouver. Photo Credit: Hamilton International Airport Play Airlines, which has been offering flights to Europe out of Hamilton International Airport since 2023, recently announced that they will be ceasing their operations in the city. However, that report was followed up by the news earlier […]

The proposed tax increase is now down to 5.7 per cent. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  Hamilton city staff have whittled down the average property tax increase slightly over the past few weeks, but even with current numbers taxpayers appear set to pay an extra $288 in 2025. Staff originally projected […]

The Integrity Commissioner found Kroetsch’s failure to disclose close relationships with encampment lawyers violated Council’s Code of Conduct. Pictured: Councillor Cameron Kroetsch. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.    The City of Hamilton’s Integrity Commissioner David Boghosian recently determined that Councillor Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2 – Downtown Hamilton) was in violation of the Council Code of Conduct […]

Jama announced that she will officially be running as an independent. Pictured: MPP Sara Jama with NDP Leader Marit Stiles in 2023. Photo Credit: Marit Stiles/X.   With Premier Doug Ford calling a snap provincial election for Thursday, Feb. 27, controversial Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama made one last attempt to run as an Ontario NDP […]

The province is planning for all HART Hubs to be operational by April 1, 2025. Pictured: Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones. Photo Credit: Sylvia Jones/X.  The Government of Ontario recently announced that Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre is one of nine approved applicants from across the province to be the site […]

A motion with instructions to staff passed the Public Health Subcommittee earlier this month. Pictured: Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  A motion for Hamilton city staff to study the feasibility of implementing a local public health wastewater surveillance program passed at a Public Health Subcommittee meeting earlier this month. The […]

The City will be charging a vacancy tax if a property is vacant for more than half the year. Created by Dall-E Two new programs implemented by City Council are set to have an impact in 2025, with the municipality’s Vacant Unit Tax set to begin and the new anti-renoviction bylaw already in effect as […]

The tax would have had to be approved by the provincial government. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  A Jan. 15 report by City of Hamilton staff outlining how the municipality could go about trying to implement a Municipal Land Transfer Tax was shut down by the local realtors’ association, with Council […]

The Bulldogs have been purchased by Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and his family. Photo Credit: Brantford Bulldogs/Facebook. Hamilton hockey fans who were holding out hope that the Bulldogs would return to the city once the Hamilton Arena Project is complete were disappointed last week when it was announced that the team signed an agreement […]

Parks will be cleared gradually, beginning on March 6. Photo Credit: Pexels.  Last week Hamilton City Council voted 13-2 in favour of clearing encampments from parks starting March 6 and rescinding the Encampment Protocol which they previously enacted. City staff noted that enforcement will happen gradually. The move comes after an Ontario Superior Court of […]

It remains unclear what venue was involved in hosting the group before the eventual cancellation. Pictured: City of Hamilton. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  Radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada, the Canadian branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir has officially cancelled their annual conference, which was set to be held in Hamilton, after public outcry and a […]

Ontarians do not need to apply for the rebate. Pictured: Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  The Government of Ontario has announced that their $200 rebate for all eligible Ontario taxpayers will be going out in late January or early February. Ontarians do not need to apply for the rebate. The rebate cheque […]

The agreement creates dedicated learner spaces in high-demand programs. Photo Credit: Pexels.  Mohawk College and Niagara College recently announced a collaboration that will help to keep health-care students studying locally. The agreement creates dedicated learner spaces in high-demand programs for each college’s Pre-Health Sciences graduates. Under the agreement, Mohawk College will reserve spaces for Niagara […]

The court did leave in place some restrictions, however. Pictured: Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.  An Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision has determined that the City of Hamilton has the right to clear homeless encampments, albeit with certain restrictions. The decision, made by Justice James Ramsay in Heegsma v. Hamilton […]

Forty tiny shelters were meant to have been ready by mid-December. Photo Credit: Jeff Harti/LinkedIn.  Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath’s plan to have 40 tiny shelters available by mid-December to house the homeless has still not come to fruition. Instead, the project has been marred by controversy and delays with multiple questions asked about the contractor […]

A vote on the budget is scheduled for Jan. 28. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service.  With the 2025 Hamilton Police Services (HPS) budget set to be debated by Council at a General Issues Committee meeting on Jan. 28, the Downtown Hamilton business improvement areas (BIAs) and an extensive list of businesses wrote letters expressing their […]

City Council’s decision had its desired effect downtown. Photo Credit: Pexels.  A report from city staff shows that City Council’s 2023 downtown truck ban has significantly reduced truck traffic in the core, but has caused a large increase in truck volume on the Red Hill Valley Parkway and Lincoln Alexander Parkway. Data shows that heavy […]

The previous 10-year naming rights agreement has officially expired. Photo Credit: Hamilton Tiger-Cats/X.  The Hamilton Sports Group, which holds the long-term stadium lease for Tim Hortons Field and also owns the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge FC, has announced that the east-end venue will be renamed. The Hamilton Sports Group is led by businessman Bob Young, […]

Staff are being directed to bring the strategy before Council later this year. Pictured: Hamilton City Council. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. Hamilton City Council recently voted for staff to develop a 10-year Downtown Revitalization Strategy as issues such as crime and homelessness continue to plague businesses, contributing to rising office and storefront vacancies. The […]

The new rec centres are part of 85 recommendations in the city’s Recreation Master Plan. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  The City of Hamilton is beginning plans for three new community recreation centres which will be located in Glanbrook, Fruitland-Winona, and Waterdown. The city already held in-person engagement sessions in each […]

Dr. Timsy Bhando is based out of McMaster University. Pictured: Dr. Timsy Bhando. Photo Credit: Timsy Bhando/LinkedIn.  Dr. Timsy Bhando, a researcher based out of Hamilton’s McMaster University, recently won a prestigious award for her work developing a new natural drug that has the potential to treat dementia, depression, and brain diseases. Bhando’s newly discovered […]

Hamilton is ranked as the fifth most dangerous city in Ontario. Photo Credit: iStock. A new study by Toronto-based insurance technology company MyChoice Financial Inc shows that Hamilton ranks among the most dangerous cities in Ontario for driving. The ratings, based on MyChoice’s internal data, show Hamilton as the fifth most dangerous city in Ontario. […]

A new $15-million facility will feature three separate hangars. Photo Credit: Hamilton International Airport/Facebook. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) will soon be the site of a new $15-million facility that will feature three separate hangars that will reportedly be designed to incorporate “an array of premium services.” The new multi-use Fixed-Base Operator facility […]

The by-election will be held on Jan. 6. Pictured: Candidate Abby Zaitley. Photo Credit: Abby Zaitley Campaign Website. Abby Zaitley, who is running to be the next trustee for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) in Ward 4 (East Hamilton), recently campaigned with controversial Member of Provincial Parliament Sarah Jama and President of CUPE Ontario […]

Grocery prices next year will rise by $800, report predicts. Photo Credit: iStock.  The 2025 Canada Food Price Report, a collaboration between Dalhousie University, University of Guelph, University of British Columbia, and University of Saskatchewan researchers, predicts groceries next year for a typical family of four will cost $801.56 more than in 2024. The research […]

Chief Bergen explained to the Board that the increase is necessary to sustain core services. Pictured: HPS Chief Frank Bergen. Photo Credit: HPS.  The Hamilton Police Services Board approved the proposed 2025 net operating and capital budget of about $227.1 million for the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), representing a combined increase of $12.25 million or 5.7 […]

A new patient care tower will see the addition of 100 new inpatient beds. Pictured: Premier Doug Ford and MPP Donna Skelly. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  The Ontario government recently announced an additional $10 million to support the redevelopment of Hamilton Health Sciences’ (HHS) Juravinski Hospital in what will be the single-largest health infrastructure project […]

Collins has not yet said whether or not he will be running again. Pictured: Chad Collins. Photo Credit: Chad Collins/X.  Local Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Chad Collins put himself at odds with his own party over the past couple days, first opposing his party’s rebate cheque plan saying that it should […]

McMaster will receive $4 million in federal funding to help make the project happen. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Images. Hamilton’s McMaster University has received $4 million in funding to go towards their plans for the new Centre for Collaborative Chemistry (C3). The funding is coming from the Government of Canada’s Federal Economic Development Agency for […]

The move represents an increase of $96 over the 2024 average of $965. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton Hamilton City Council confirmed the 2025 water rate budget last week and Hamilton households will see a 9.95 per cent increase compared to 2024. For 2025, a typical Hamilton household consuming 200 cubic metres of water annually […]

Hamilton was scammed over $800,000 after staff fell for two separate imposter vendor scams. Pictured: City Manager Marnie Cluckie. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.   The annual Fraud and Waste Report from the Office of the Auditor General regarding City of Hamilton resources concludes that the municipality suffered $2.35 million in losses due to waste and […]

Two buildings from the mid-1800s collapsed last month. Pictured: Wreckage from King Street building collapse. Photo Credit: Cameron Kroetsch/X.  The City of Hamilton has been left with serious questions from Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath, councillors, and the public alike after the dangerous collapse of a building across from Gore Park last month. The city says […]

The by-election is being held in Ward 4. Photo Credit: Pexels.  The City of Hamilton has announced that an upcoming Jan. 6, 2025 trustee by-election in the city’s Ward 4 (East Hamilton) will allow for online voting for the first time. Ward 4 runs north-south from Hamilton Harbour to the Escarpment and east-west from the […]

The Hot Mali Squad has been connected to various types crimes. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service Hamilton Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario recently announced that they have made 25 arrests as part of an investigation called Project Churchill that targeted a Hamilton-based street gang. The gang, […]

New legislation will expand presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters. Pictured: Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other members of his government were in Hamilton recently to announce new legislation that, if passed, will expand presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters. The announcement was made at the Hamilton Fire Department […]

Hamilton will need about 34,000 more homes than expected by 2051. Photo Credit: Mountainview Homes New population estimates from the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Finance project that Hamilton’s population in 2051 will be over 80,000 people higher than expected. Previous population forecasts from the Urban Hamilton Official Plan predicted that Hamilton will have a […]

“Headwinds continue” for the airport’s passenger operations. Photo Credit: WestJet/X.  Cole Horncastle, the Executive Managing Director for John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport recently provided a detailed update to Council’s Airport Sub-Committee that detailed “significant challenges” for the airport’s passenger operations. On the other hand, the airport is forecasted to see an annual increase in […]

The number of fires in Hamilton increased by 16 per cent between 2020 and 2022. Photo Credit: Flickr.  A recently released Community Risk Assessment Report from the Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) says that Hamilton is now at a “high risk” for residential fires. Additionally, data shows a year over year increase in the number of […]

It is unclear what policies the city will introduce to accelerate the timeline. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  Amid controversial Council policies, including the recently introduced Green Building Standards, the City of Hamilton has announced that they are now looking to accelerate their goal of achieving “net zero emissions” by 2050. […]

Two players and Coach Smyrniotis received awards. Pictured: Tristan Borges. Photo Credit: Forge FC.  Hamilton’s Forge FC soccer club finished their 2024 season on Nov. 9 after a 2-1 loss to Cavalry FC (Calgary, Alberta) in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) Final. Cavalry had never won a CPL Final, losing their two previous appearances to […]

An additional $20.5 million will be added to 2025 budget to cover costs. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  City of Hamilton staff presented a report at the Nov. 20 General Issues Committee that costs incurred so far in response to the municipality’s cyberattack recovery have now increased to $9.6 million. The […]

The province says that the Special Care Nursery will be made larger and more comfortable. Pictured: MPP Donna Skelly. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  The Ontario government announced on Nov. 13 that it will be renovating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The NICU at St. Joseph’s is also called the Special […]

The Request for Qualifications is only for first phase LRT-related construction. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  The Ontario government announced that they have officially issued a Request for Qualifications for Hamilton’s 14 km Light Rail Transit (LRT) project that will connect Eastgate Square Mall to McMaster University. The LRT will also directly connect users to […]

The Government of Ontario has now invested a total of $1.4 billion in the SDF since its launch in 2021. Photo Credit: Pexels The Ontario government recently made yet another multi-million-dollar Skills Development Fund (SDF) announcement to help train workers in Hamilton. This time, the government is providing $4,276,000 through the SDF for two different […]

The new facility will create 500 jobs. Pictured: Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  Yet another biotech company has announced that they will be opening a new $200-million facility at Hamilton’s McMaster Innovation Park that will create 500 jobs. OmniaBio Inc. describes itself as a “technology-focused, global cell and gene therapy contract development […]

The upgrades are part of the Ontario government’s plan to transform the Hamilton-Niagara train corridor. Pictured: GO Train. Photo Credit: Metrolinx/Facebook.  Major upgrades to railroad tracks at Hamilton’s West Harbour GO Station are now complete and will reportedly save train commuters 20 minutes if they are traveling Niagara-bound past the station. At West Harbour GO, […]

The simulation hub will be available for students in multiple Mohawk College School of Health programs. Photo Credit: Mohawk College News/X.  Mohawk College recently unveiled that they have expanded their healthcare simulation hub which they say will increase their program capacity and improve the student experience. Mohawk College’s Centre for Healthcare Simulation and Research (CHSR) […]

Hamilton is now coming up with a new Framework for Processing and Evaluating Urban Boundary Expansion Applications. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall Council Chambers. Photo Credit: Flickr.  Even though Hamilton City Council voted not to expand the municipality’s urban boundary in a 13-3 vote in November 2021, developers can still put forward individual applications for the […]

The program will be expanding starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Pictured: Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  The Ontario government announced on Oct. 25 that they will be expanding their Learn and Stay Grant Program to provide full tuition grants to Ontario students who wish to become family doctors. The program will […]

Climate Change Reserve Funding was introduced as part of Hamilton’s Climate Action Strategy in 2022. Photo Credit: iStock.  The City of Hamilton is continuing to spend significant funds on various climate change initiatives after Council declared a “climate change emergency” in March 2019. Most recently, a report indicates proposed allocations for over $2.5 million of […]

Dr. Anjali Menezes and Councillor Cameron Kroetsch have brought forward motions to cut the police budget. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  The Hamilton Police Services Board (HPSB) has undergone a number of changes since 2024 budget debates which saw two board members, Dr. Anjali Menezes and Councillor Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2 […]

The investment comes from an annual investment of more than $15 million in 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across the province. Pictured: Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre. Photo Credit: ASAC.  Donna Skelly, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Flamborough-Glanbrook, recently announced that the Ontario government has provided its third quarterly installment payment for the Ancaster […]

Tighe’s five-year term will begin on July 1, 2025. Pictured: Dr. Susan Tighe. Photo Credit: Susan Tighe/X.  Dr. Susan Tighe, who currently serves as McMaster University’s Provost and Vice-President Academic has been announced as the institution’s ninth President and Vice-Chancellor. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the Committee for Recommending a President and then approved […]

Council approved the plan for 40 tiny shelters in September 2024. Photo Credit: Hamilton Tiny Shelters.  The City of Hamilton is completing preliminary work and revealing further details about Council’s new tiny shelter plan in the North End. Council approved the plan for 40 tiny shelters in September 2024 after receiving a report from staff […]

The average property tax increase in 2024 was already 5.79 per cent. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  As the City of Hamilton moves into budget season, a staff report projects that the preliminary increase for the 2025 net levy is $102.9 million, which would result in an average property tax increase […]

An investment of $1.25 million from the Ontario government will help support the construction of the new hospice. Pictured: Rendering of future hospice. Photo Credit: Six Nations of the Grand River.  The Government of Ontario will be building the first Indigenous hospice in Canada on Six Nations of the Grand River just south of the […]

The required wage and annual income are calculated based on working 37.5 hours per week. Photo Credit: iStock.  According to a new report from property technology company Zoocasa, Hamilton residents need to earn a wage of over $33 an hour in order to afford apartment rent in the city. The average one bedroom rent in […]

Job demand decreased by 17 per cent in September. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.  The latest report from community organization Workforce Planning Hamilton (WPH) shows that the unemployment rate in the area has decreased heading into the autumn months. The most recent data from September 2024 indicates that the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which includes the […]

Developers are calling the development the iConnect Community. Pictured: Master-planned layout of iConnect Community. Photo Credit: Krpan Group.  A new master-planned residential community is set to be built at Clappison’s Corners at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 6 in Waterdown. The community will be built at the northwest corner of the intersection where […]

A report from Chief of Police Frank Bergen recommended the move. Pictured: HPS Chief Frank Bergen. Photo Credit: HPS.  The Hamilton Police Service Board approved the addition of 16 new full-time Special Constables to the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) after a report from Chief of Police Frank Bergen recommended the move. The hiring will result […]

The bus service only runs on weekdays so far. Photo Credit: Southern Ontario Transit/Facebook. A new privately-run bus company called Southern Ontario Transit (SOT) recently launched service between Haldimand County and the City of Hamilton. SOT runs three round trips per day between Dunville and Hamilton from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bus service […]

The government says that the After School Programs improve the health and well-being of children and youth. Pictured: Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden. Photo Credit: Neil Lumsden/X.   The Ontario government is investing $15 million in local sports and recreation, including in after school programs for children and youth. The funding, announced by Ontario Minister of […]

The province has not yet released which stretches of highway they have deemed “safe” for speed limit increases.  Photo Credit: iStock.  The Ontario government recently announced that they will be moving forward with plans to increase highway speed limits on all 400-series highways “where it is safe to do so.” The move would mean the […]

The scanner cost about $1.9 million, while the suite was approximately $1.3 million. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.  St. Joseph’s Hospital Charlton campus (St. Joe’s) recently unveiled that they have added a new computed tomography (CT) suite to their emergency department. CT scanners use X-rays to take 3-D images of the body. They can be used to […]

Nominations are now open for the by-election and voting will be held on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Pictured: Former trustee Ray Mulholland. Photo Credit: HWDSB.  The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), Hamilton’s public school board, will be holding a byelection in January 2025 after long-time trustee Ray Mulholland announced his retirement. Mulholland served in public […]

Forge clinched first seed, which they have won four out of the past five seasons. Photo Credit: Forge FC/X.  Regardless of how the rest of their matches turn out, Hamilton’s Forge FC soccer club has already had a successful season. The team clinched the Canadian Premier League (CPL) Shield on Sunday, October 6th, after a […]

Hamilton is also receiving guaranteed annual payments, increased revenue sharing, and annual community investments. Pictured: Hamilton Airport. Photo Credit: Hamilton International Airport/Facebook.  Tradeport International Corporation, which has managed Hamilton International Airport since 1996, will be investing $400 million to “develop and expand” the airport. The investment is part of a 49-year lease extension between the […]

The policy replaces the existing Zero Tolerance of Violence Policy. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  The City of Hamilton recently announced a new Respectful Environments Policy (RZone Policy) in order to “promote respectful behaviours in all city facilities and spaces.” The policy replaces the existing Zero Tolerance of Violence Policy that […]

Local businesses have continuously asked HPS to expand the program. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service.  Hamilton Police Service (HPS) recently announced that they have decided to triple the size of their downtown Core Patrol program. The move will see Core Patrol expand from two officers to six officers in order to “address requests for increased […]

The redesign of Barton Street includes renewing and upgrading municipal services and utility relocations. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  The City of Hamilton is currently reviewing road configuration options for a long stretch of Barton Street from Locke Street North to the Red Hill Valley Parkway. The city says that the […]

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has found that late invoicing and uncollected rent has resulted in significant losses. Pictured: City Manager Marnie Cluckie. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.   An audit of the City of Hamilton’s leases and licensing agreements has found that the municipality is a somewhat ineffective landlord, with $1.2 million in […]

Just one little slip up could result in an end to the Tiger-Cats’s season. Photo Credit: Hamilton Tiger-Cats/X.  After starting the Canadian Football League (CFL) season with zero wins and five losses, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have turned things around, winning four games in a row to put themselves in the playoff picture. Only a few […]

The game will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. at Ron Joyce Stadium. Photo Credit: McMaster Marauders/X.  McMaster University homecoming events kick off this weekend, with officials hoping that the return of official on-campus festivities will help to curb past instances of unsanctioned street parties. The McMaster Students Union (MSU) and McMaster […]

The plan will see the creation of 192 shelter spaces. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  Hamilton City Council has officially approved a new multi-million-dollar plan to increase shelter spaces and create a city-sanctioned encampment featuring tiny shelters ahead of the upcoming winter season. The plan, which was recommended by city staff, […]

The funding will be used to purchase up to 15 “accessible transit vehicles” and up to four “accessible supervisor vehicles.” Pictured: HSR Bus. Photo Credit: HSR/Facebook.  The federal, provincial, and municipal governments recently announced a combined investment of more than $6 million to improve transit services in the City of Hamilton. The funding will be […]

Data shows that 13.8 per cent of Hamilton commuters travel 60 minutes or more. Photo Credit: iStock.  A new report from Statistics Canada shows that Hamiltonians have some of the longest commute times in the country, with an average time of 30.6 minutes. It should be noted that the local data is for the Hamilton […]

 Lumsden is a former CFL football star. Pictured: MPP Neil Lumsden. Photo Credit: Neil Lumsden/X.  Local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Neil Lumsden, who represents Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, recently announced that he will be donating his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada (CLFC) for concussion research. Lumsden is a former football player who competed […]

Students aged 12 to 17 are able to attend the program. Photo Credit: iStock.  Hamilton’s YMCA recently began offering a program allowing students to serve school suspensions at their Employment and Immigrant Services facility on Main Street at Macnab Street South. Normally, when students are suspended, they are required to simply stay at home. The […]

Work on the building is expected to begin before the end of the year. Pictured: Mission Services’ King Street East location. Photo Credit: Mission Services Hamilton.  A 12-storey residential development was approved at City Council’s Planning Committee last month after staff recommended acceptance of the project without requiring any modifications. The development is located at […]

Employee-related costs hit $985.3 million in 2024.  While the number of employees working for the city increases and taxpayers are paying more than ever in employee-related costs, the City of Hamilton is hiring for 44 positions. In 2022, the number of employees working for the City of Hamilton was stated as “more than 8,000.” Additionally, […]

The number of shootings so far in 2024 in the City of Hamilton has already surpassed last year’s total. Pictured: Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service.  The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) recently provided insight into local crime and their work patrolling the city as part of their annual report. The service, […]

A total of nine out of 17 sites across Ontario will be forced to close. Pictured: Health Minister Sylvia Jones. Photo Credit: Sylvia Jones/X.  The Ontario government recently announced that they will be closing and banning supervised drug consumption sites within 200 metres of schools and child care centres. That means that Hamilton’s supervised drug […]

The city wants construction on the site to begin by July 31, 2027. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall.  A developer that bought property at the corner of York Boulevard and Park Street North in Hamilton’s downtown will be able to proceed with their plans for two residential buildings after Council approved their development as long as […]

The facility is being built in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences. Pictured: Health Minister Sylvia Jones. Photo Credit: Sylvia Jones/X.  The Government of Ontario recently announced that construction is underway for a new Reactivation Care Centre in Hamilton thanks to a $16.7 million investment from the province. The government says […]

Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada. Photo Credit: Alectra Utilities/X.  As the City of Hamilton continues to expand, Alectra Utilities is investing $22.4 million to enhance the municipality’s energy reliability and meet its growing needs. The money will go towards upgrades and modernization of electricity infrastructure. Chris Hudson, Senior Vice […]

The extra almost $5 million in additional funding brings the province’s total investment in Hamilton ambulance services to over $35.5 million this year. Pictured: Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  In an effort to reduce ambulance offload times in the City of Hamilton, the Ontario government announced that they are increasing paramedic funding by […]

Recommendations will be made by staff in early 2025 following public consultations. Pictured: Sir John A. Macdonald statue in Gore Park.  The City of Hamilton is continuing to move forward with its Landmarks and Monuments Review of statues that they call “potentially problematic.” City staff just completed their online survey seeking community feedback on “high-priority […]

Police are also warning the public to keep their belongings secure and out of sight. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service Hamilton Police Service (HPS) will have an “increased police presence” at upcoming fall fairs after the seizure of a loaded firearm at the Winona Peach Festival on Aug. 24. Police say that officers were on […]

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath reiterated that, within the city, “safety is our first priority.”  Photo Credit: City of Hamilton The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) provided a number of tips and warnings in a joint press release as the 2024-25 school year began this week. Their top focus was reminding drivers […]

There are at least three Hamilton-based agencies that are receiving funding this year. Pictured: Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa. Photo Credit: Michael Parsa/X.  The Government of Ontario is investing $504,900 to provide “necessary building upgrades and repairs” to three Hamilton-based children and social services agencies. The funding is part of […]

The station had been a staple of the local media landscape for 97 years, serving residents since 1927. Photo Credit: CHML/X.  Local radio station AM 900 CHML has officially ended its broadcasts after an unexpected announcement earlier in August. The station, which broadcasted Hamilton news, traffic, weather, and talk radio, had been a staple of […]

The group has also done national Debt Clock tours since the 1990s, showing the Canadian government’s debt. Photo Credit: Jay Goldberg/X.  The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a non-partisan citizens’ advocacy group fighting for lower taxes, less waste, and accountable government, is taking aim at the Ford government’s high spending. The group brought their provincial Debt […]

Horwath used her strong mayor powers to immediately direct staff to undertake research needed to open city-sanctioned sites for the homeless. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. With the colder months approaching, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath used her strong mayor powers to immediately direct staff to undertake research needed to open city-sanctioned […]

Thirty-nine townhouses are set to be built along with five buildings. Pictured: Old nurses’ residence. Photo Credit: Facebook/Vintage Hamilton.  A large multi-million-dollar housing development is planned for Hamilton Mountain’s Chedoke brow lands, and it has already been called one of the largest housing developments that Hamilton’s escarpment has ever seen. Located at 801, 820, 828, […]

Hamilton-based Ontario Shipyards, previously Heddle Shipyards, is set to receive $10 million to train workers in shipbuilding and repair. Pictured: Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.  Hamilton-based Ontario Shipyards, previously Heddle Shipyards, is set to receive $10 million to train workers in shipbuilding and repair as part of the Ontario government’s $1.4 billion […]

There are over 160 Hamilton-based stores that have successfully applied and been issued a Convenience Store Licence to sell alcohol starting Thurs., Sept. 5, 2024. Photo Credit:Pexels.   The Ontario government is moving forward on its plan to “increase choice and convenience” when it comes to alcohol sales in the province, and it appears that many […]

Those with a home in Hamilton worth $500,000 reportedly pay an average of $7,120 in property taxes. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: Facebook/Andrea Horwath. According to a report from property technology company Zoocasa, City of Hamilton residents pay some of the highest property taxes in Canada. The average property tax rate for a homeowner […]

The Rentals.ca report notes that Canada-wide average asking rents for all types increased 0.8 per cent from June. Photo Credit: iStock.  The average one-bedroom rent in the City of Hamilton was up 2.3 per cent month-over-month to $1,822 in July 2024, according to the latest Rentals.ca market update. However, one-bedroom rents in the city are […]

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said that the move will “boost local employment and support business.” Photo Credit: Mohawk College News/X.  Mohawk College recently announced that they will be expanding their academic operations into the City of Burlington over the next several years. The college, based in Hamilton, signed a Letter of Understanding with the […]

Anyone who has been in direct contact with the water at Pier 4 and is experiencing any of those symptoms is advised to contact their primary care provider. Pictured: Pier 4 Park.  The beach at Hamilton’s Pier 4 Park, located at the end of Bay Street North, is closed due to the presence of “toxin-producing […]

The number of July 2024 sales represents a 5.1 per cent decrease compared to July 2023. Photo Credit: iStock.  The latest update on the area housing market from the Cornerstone Association of Realtors, a new amalgamated association that includes the former Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB), says that sales activity in the region continues to […]

A recent report from HPS Chief Frank Bergen recommended that HPS buy 650 cameras at a total program cost of about $15.5 million over five years. Photo Credit: iStock.  Hamilton Police Service (HPS) will be purchasing body-worn cameras for officers after the Hamilton Police Service Board approved their implementation. HPS has been examining the possibility […]

The new association brings together nearly 9,000 realtors. Photo Credit: Depositphotos. The Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) recently amalgamated with three other real estate boards to form the Cornerstone Association of Realtors (Cornerstone). In addition to RAHB, the new association is composed of the Mississauga Real Estate Board (MREB), Simcoe and District Real Estate Board […]

There have been 40 shootings so far this year, which has already surpassed the total number of shootings in all of 2023. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service. There have now been 40 shootings in Hamilton so far this year, leading Hamilton Police Service (HPS) to issue yet another press release reassuring the public and asking […]

That garden is inspired by the fact that the Summer Olympics are held in France and features “symmetrical designs and geometric shapes.” Pictured: Royal Botanical Gardens Exhibit.  In honour of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games currently taking place in Paris, France, Hamilton-Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is presenting unique floral displays celebrating the event. The […]

So far, Hamilton’s Eleanor Harvey is the only local athlete to have won a medal with a bronze in the women’s fencing individual foil event. Pictured: Olympian Eleanor Harvey. Photo Credit: Ohio State Fencing/X.  There are eight athletes from Hamilton competing at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. While some of them have already completed […]

Ontario became the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce automatic licence plate renewals in a change that started on July 1, 2024. Pictured: MPP Donna Skelly and Ministers Todd McCarthy and Prabmeet Sarkaria. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  Automatic licence plate renewal is now in effect for the more than eight million Ontario drivers. Ontario […]

Four major festivals are coming to Hamilton this month. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Images.  Volunteers, vendors, and performers are getting ready for four major festivals within the city of Hamilton this month: the Festival of Friends at Gage Park, the Dundas Cactus Festival on King Street West in Dundas, Boots in the Creek Country Music […]

Data for 2023 shows that auto theft claims costs in Hamilton were almost $20 million, compared to $7.4 million just five years ago in 2018. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Images.  According to recently released data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the City of Hamilton ranks as the ninth costliest city in Ontario for […]

The program is free to all Hamilton businesses and does not require a membership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in order to access. Photo Credit: iStock.  The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recently announced a new partnership with local post-secondary institutions, including McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University, to help Hamilton employers “connect with […]

Among key technology restored is the HSR’s bus annunciator system which provides announcements on upcoming stops and other updates to transit riders. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.   The City of Hamilton recently announced the latest progress made in regard to their cyber incident recovery and restoration efforts. Among key technology restored is the HSR’s […]

The aviary is a non-profit organization run 100 per cent by The Friends of the Aviary volunteers and supported by city funds. Photo Credit: The Hamilton Aviary/X.  The Hamilton Aviary, located just east of McMaster University in Westdale’s Churchill Park, is rehoming their birds after plans for a new building never materialized. The aviary, which […]

The news outlet then became independent in 1961, making it the first independent television station in Canada. Pictured: CHCH headquarters. Photo Credit: CHCH TV.  CHCH TV, Hamilton’s only television news channel, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year with special broadcasts, merchandise, and even a branded beer can. The station signed on the air on […]

Hillel McMaster, the university’s Jewish student group, says that the agreement that McMaster made with protestors will only “embolden” the group that held the campus hostage. Pictured: McMaster encampment. Photo Credit: HDLC/X.  Pro-Palestine protesters have been occupying the grounds of post-secondary institutions over the past number of weeks, with groups making various demands. Hamilton’s McMaster […]

Councillor Maureen Wilson says that the city should study these other revenue tools since the total financial pressures facing the city over the next 10 years is estimated at $22.8 billion. Pictured: Councillor Maureen Wilson. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  Hamilton City Council recently voted to have staff study the “legislative requirements, framework, and implementation […]

The city says that costs include engineering, construction, and contingency and take into account inflation. Pictured: Woodward Water Treatment Plant. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  The City of Hamilton is set to move forward with a massive 10-year $543 million project to upgrade the municipality’s Woodward Water Treatment Plant. The plant was constructed in 1931 […]

One-bedroom rents are down 4.8 per cent year-over-year from June 2023. Photo Credit: iStock.  The average one-bedroom rent in Hamilton was down 1.5 per cent month-over-month to $1,780 in June 2024, according to the latest Rentals.ca market update. One-bedroom rents are also down 4.8 per cent year-over-year from June 2023. Meanwhile, a two-bedroom unit in […]

The number of June 2024 sales represents a 26.6 per cent decrease compared to June 2023. Photo Credit: iStock The latest update on the area housing market from the Cornerstone Association of Realtors, a new amalgamated association that includes the former Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB), says that sales activity in the region continues to […]

Each year, CAA invites drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians to vote in their Worst Roads Campaign. Pictured: Aberdeen Avenue near Bay Street South.  Hamilton’s Aberdeen Avenue was recently named the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) worst road in Ontario for 2024. The announcement also marks the third year in a row that a Hamilton road […]

The renewal is the longest duration licence issued to the McMaster Nuclear Reactor in its history. Photo Credit: McMaster University.  The nuclear reactor operating at Hamilton’s McMaster University has been granted a 20-year renewal of its licence by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Canada’s nuclear materials regulator. The university calls the reactor “Canada’s most-powerful […]

There are five options for those wishing to invest. Photo Credit: Indwell.  Hamilton-based affordable housing charity Indwell has launched a new community bonds program in the hopes of raising the $5 million needed to launch four projects that will create 140 units of supportive and affordable housing. The new program, called the Hope and Homes […]

Hamilton City Council recently directed staff to complete a competitive procurement for private property clean ups, funded up to a maximum of $150,000. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X. The City of Hamilton will begin offering clean up services to residents and small-business property owners impacted by homeless encampments. Hamilton City Council recently directed staff to […]

The city has already had issues finding contractors to conduct repairs and upgrades to the waterpark. Pictured: Wild Waterparks. Photo Credit: Wild Waterparks.  As Hamilton’s Wild Waterworks opens for the summer, the future of the aging attraction remains uncertain. The waterpark, which is owned by the City of Hamilton and operated by the Hamilton Conservation […]

Hamilton City Council and recently delegated to Council on the matter. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  The addition of another voting member to Hamilton Council would have to be approved by the Province of Ontario since it requires changes to the Municipal Act.  A local advocacy group called Circle of Beads is asking for an […]

The decision was delivered by the Ontario Land Tribunal Vice-Chair Shannon Braun. Pictured: Rejected proposed development. Photo Credit: Urban Solutions. A plan for 1,060 residential housing units on the site of the former LIUNA Gardens banquet centre at 526 Winona Road on the waterfront was recently rejected at the Ontario Land Tribunal. The decision was […]

The announcement is another of a rapid decline in domestic flight options out of Hamilton Airport in recent years. Photo Credit: West Jet/X.  There will be less options for air travel at Hamilton’s John C. Munro International Airport (YHM) with WestJet recently announcing that they are suspending their flights to Atlantic Canada as of July […]

The festival website states that there will be live musicians, including Mudmen, Burning Bridges, Revive the Rose, One in the Chamber, and Side Street Band. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Images. A fireworks festival called Pyro Fest is coming to Hamilton for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 17. The festival was started in Lindsay, Ontario […]

Staff are directed to analyze, select, and then seek Council approval for new operating locations for those two cameras for 2024 and 2025. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  At a recent Public Works Committee meeting, Hamilton City Council voted unanimously to approve the expansion of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program and the addition of six […]

One-bedroom rents are down 3.8 per cent year over year from May 2023. Photo Credit: iStock.  The average one-bedroom rent in Hamilton was down 1.8 per cent month-over-month to $1,806 in May 2024, according to the latest Rentals.ca market update. One-bedroom rents are also down 3.8 per cent year over year from May 2023. Meanwhile, […]

Awards were given out in recognition of exemplary service, acts of bravery, and outstanding service for the community. Pictured is Member of the Year recipient Domenic Di Cienzo. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service.  Hamilton Police Service (HPS) held their Annual Appreciation and Awards Night last month, with multiple awards presented to both citizens and members […]

Those in favour of keeping the exemptions say that the city is disincentivizing new developments and the tax revenue that those new builds bring. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X. Hamilton City Council recently voted to phase out long-standing development charge discounts meant to encourage new builds. However, the phase out of the development charge exemptions […]

Landlords will be required to have all building permits already in place and will have to provide an engineer’s report showing that vacant possession is necessary in order for work to be completed. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  Hamilton City Council has officially passed a new bylaw meant to protect tenants […]

Police say that a number of shootings have taken place in broad daylight in busy areas, which they say is “especially concerning.” Pictured: Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service. An increase in shootings in the City of Hamilton recently has led the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) to issue a press release […]

With the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates to 4.75 per cent on June 5, it remains to be seen what the housing market will look like throughout the summer. The latest update from the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) says that sales activity in the region continues to be slow and the decline in […]

It is unclear how the existing building would be used if the heritage designation moves forward. Pictured: Philpott Church. Photo Credit: Facebook/Philpott  A developer that bought property at the corner of York Boulevard and Park Street North in Hamilton’s downtown is seeing their plans for two residential buildings stalled, and likely cancelled altogether, due to […]

CityLAB began as a pilot project in 2017, but transitioned into a permanent program with support from Hamilton City Council. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  CityLAB Hamilton and Mohawk College were recently awarded the Gold Medal in Program Excellence by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). CICan is the national association for publicly supported colleges, institutes, […]

Starting in 2025, the City will be charging an additional tax of one per cent of a property’s assessed value on any residential unit that is vacant for more than 183 days in a calendar year. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.  The City of Hamilton’s vacant unit tax bylaw has received final approval from Council […]

The draft standards identify five impact categories that include a whole host of performance requirements. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: Andrea Horwath/Facebook.  The City of Hamilton just wrapped up consultation on introducing Green Building Standards and are set to review and report back to Council in the coming weeks before drafting their final recommendations […]

The investment will support the creation of 682 new student spaces and 176 licensed child care spaces in Hamilton. Pictured: Education Minister Stephen Lecce at the Waterdown announcement. Photo Credit: Donna Skelly/X.  The Ontario government recently announced $31.2 million in funding for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), Hamilton’s public board, to build a new […]

The Centre plans to work with the public and Catholic school boards to educate students about the Holocaust. Pictured: Margaret’s Legacy’s namesake, Margaret Weisz. Photo Credit: Margaret’s Legacy.  As Jewish communities around the world gathered last month for Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Hamilton Jewish Federation also gathered for the opening of a new […]

With construction finally beginning, Hamiltonians can expect the venue to open in just 18 months. Photo Credit: Hamilton Honey Badgers website. On May 16, Oak View Group (OVG), the largest developer of sports and live entertainment venues in the world, officially broke ground on their major renovation project that is set to transform Hamilton’s FirstOntario […]

Of the 21 bypass events in 2023, the city says that 17 were secondary bypasses and four were primary bypasses without disinfection. Hamilton City Council recently received a report from the Director of Water and Wastewater Operations Shane McCauley, showing that about 2.50 billion litres of wastewater bypassed various levels of treatment in 2023. That […]

The move would see HPS buy 650 cameras from Axon, a technology company based in the United States, at a total program cost of about $15.5 million over five years. Pictured: Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen. Photo Credit: Hamilton Police Service.  Hamilton Police Service (HPS) Chief Frank Bergen recently submitted a report to the Hamilton […]

The province says that the program also aims to reduce incidences of bullying, hazing, harassment, violence, and abuse among male student athletes. Pictured: Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. Photo Credit: Stephen Lecce/X. Hamilton-based organization Interval House, which runs a woman’s shelter and multiple support programs, was chosen by the Government of Ontario to run a […]

Hamilton’s F grade ranked the municipality as the worst under the criteria. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  The C.D. Howe Institute, a Canadian research think tank, gave the City of Hamilton a failing F letter grade for its 2023 budget process, citing issues with the transparency and timeliness. The grade and […]

 In addition to the Open Streets festival, the Lincoln Alexander Parkway will be closed in both directions for the entire weekend. Photo Credit: Wikipedia.  Hamilton’s King Street East will be closed this Sunday, May 26, 2024, for the majority of the day for the city’s car-free street festival initiative. The festival, called Open Streets Hamilton, […]

The average one-bedroom and two-bedroom rents in the City of Hamilton are below the Canada-wide average. Photo Credit: iStock.  The average one-bedroom rent in Hamilton was down 0.9 per cent month-over-month to $1,840 in April 2024, according to the latest Rentals.ca market update. One-bedroom rents are also down 1.9 per cent year over year from […]

The revised plan would see approximately 600 to 650 units instead of the previously planned 458 units. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.   The City of Hamilton recently reaffirmed its support for the high-density, mixed-income redevelopment of a 2.2-hectare site in the city’s north end. The existing site is a run-down 91-townhouse complex that was […]

Photo Credit: City of Hamilton New data from a group of local healthcare providers shows that one person experiencing homelessness dies every ten days on average in the City of Hamilton. The data has been collected since June 2021 as part of the Hamilton Homeless Mortality Data Project. According to their latest data update, the […]

HSR first converted diesel buses to compressed natural gas in 1985 and nearly 90 per cent of buses will be powered by the fuel source by the end of 2024.. Photo credit: Twitter/HSR The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), Hamilton’s transit service, is celebrating its 150th anniversary, with festivities starting on both Monday and Tuesday. The […]

Photo Credit: Facebook/Northern Heat Rib Series   The Northern Heat Rib Series returns to Hamilton this weekend with the Binbrook Rib and Beer Fest at the Binbrook Fairgrounds. The ribfest begins on Friday, May 17 at 4pm and will end at 7pm on Monday, May 20.  The Binbrook event runs for four days due to […]

The Red Hill Inquiry was ordered by the city in 2019 after a number of fatal crashes on the roadway. Photo Credit: Red Hill Parkway Inquiry. City of Hamilton staff released their first management update regarding the progress made on the recommendations set out in the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) Inquiry Report. The Red […]

The proposal also has considerable local opposition. Pictured: Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has officially used her strong mayor powers to push through a controversial affordable housing project in Stoney Creek despite the fact that council voted down the proposal. The proposal also has considerable local opposition. […]

Out of the 10 new sections being introduced this summer, there are three stretches in the Hamilton area. Pictured: Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. Photo Credit: Prabmeet Sarkaria/X.  The Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford recently announced that they will be raising the speed limit permanently from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on 10 additional […]

On Saturday, Poilievre spent the morning door knocking with Hamilton East-Stoney Creek CPC candidate Ned Kuruc. Pictured: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Photo Credit: Pierre Poilievre/X.  Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is campaigning to oust Justin Trudeau and become the next Prime Minister of Canada, visited Hamilton and Stoney Creek this past […]

With Jason Thorne’s departure, Steve Robichaud is currently listed as the City of Hamilton’s Acting General Manager of Planning and Development. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X. Hamilton’s General Manager of Planning and Economic Development, Jason Thorne, who had served in the position for almost ten years, recently announced that he would be leaving the job […]

The city announced that they have launched an entirely new job posting website which will replace the previous platform that was used. Pictured: Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  The city of Hamilton announced on Monday that they have resumed hiring following the Feb. 25 ransomware attack that shut down multiple city services. […]

Those opposed argued that they could not justify the increase in their budgets amidst such a large residential tax hike while those in favour of the proposal argued that the increase will increase public engagement and allow them to provide better service to residents. Photo Credit: X/City of Hamilton.  The debate over increasing office budgets […]

The referendum vote was 3,970 to 299 (94 per cent) in favour of adding the student pass to fees. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton.  McMaster University undergraduate students recently voted in a referendum to include access to a discounted Hamilton Bike Share pass as part of their annual fees. Under the Hamilton Bike Share program, […]

Kemp Care Network has been raising funds for the project through a capital campaign. Pictured: Donor Paul Paletta with Kemp hospice chief executive officer Danielle Zuccet and board chair Janice Shearer. Photo Credit: Kemp Care Network.  Kemp Care Network, which operates Hamilton’s Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice, is seeking to build the city’s first children’s hospice. […]

McMaster University touts that the move “will be one of the highest-valued acquisitions of a Canadian university spinout company.” Photo Credit: Facebook/McMaster University.  British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology giant AstraZeneca, known for developing one of the COVID-19 vaccines, is set to acquire Fusion Pharmaceuticals, a Hamilton-based company founded by a McMaster University professor, for $2.4 billion […]

Sales in March were nearly six per cent lower than in 2023, but there had already been significant gains in sales in January and February which offset the March decline. Photo Credit: Mountainview Homes.  The latest update from the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) says that the local housing market continues to have “balanced conditions,” […]

A total of 4,142 new housing units reportedly broke ground in 2023 in the city, representing 120 per cent of the target. Pictured: Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton. The City of Hamilton recently received over $17.5 million in funding from the Government of Ontario through the Building Faster Fund since the […]

The company says that the new expansion project will “solidify P&H’s position as the single-largest user of Ontario wheat.” Photo Credit: P&H Limited/X.  Winnipeg-based agribusiness company Parrish & Heimbecker Limited (P&H), which specializes in flour milling and pea processing, recently announced a significant expansion of their facility at the Port of Hamilton. P&H self-describes themselves […]