Hamilton City Council has directed municipal staff to prioritize the use of steel signposts over wood in the midst of U.S. tariffs.
The motion was brought forward by Councillor Matt Francis (Ward 5 – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) and seconded by Councillor Jeff Beattie (Ward 10 – Stoney Creek-Fruitland-Winona).
The City of Hamilton uses both pressure-treated wood and galvanized steel posts for roadway signage such as stop signs and speed limit signs.
However, Francis said that since Hamilton “has a proud identity as a steel city” and in order to support local industry, the city should use as many steel posts as possible, particularly in light of U.S. tariffs that threaten the industry.
Francis added that wood poles are reportedly unable to be recycled and must be disposed of at landfills, while steel posts are highly recyclable.
He also said that wooden posts have been used more frequently as of late, but that “they quickly lack that clean, consistent look we want in our most visible urban areas.”
“We have a world-class steel industry right here in our backyard, ready to supply strong, clean, recyclable, and locally made steel posts that stand the test of time and weather. With the U.S. tariffs continuing to impact our steel exports, now is the time to lead by example and invest in our own backyard,” Francis concluded.
There was some discussion on the motion.
The city’s Director of Transportation, Carolyn Ryall, explained that wooden posts typically cost the city $27.50 each, while steel posts cost around $72.
She also noted that the city is currently under a five-year contract to source steel posts from one of two suppliers which are based in the United States.
She added that the contract is up in 2026, and the city will need to do a new tender at which time the city can look at switching to a local or Canadian provider.
Ryall said that the wooden posts come from a Canadian manufacturer and that the increase in wood was to ensure a constant supply, as the city recently put a large number of new signs up as part of the 30 km/h neighbourhood speed reduction.
“What we typically have seen across a number of years is that it’s a 75 per cent split in using steel over wood, which is 25 per cent,” she said.
City staff were ultimately directed to report back to the Public Works Committee with “a plan that prioritizes Hamilton steel for roadway signage posts, including cost implications.”
The motion passed unanimously.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
