The City of Hamilton has added nearly 1,000 staff since the end of 2022, an increase of 12 per cent from 8,494 in 2022, according to a report presented to Council on Oct. 2.
The City reported a headcount of 8,122 in 2021.
The increase in staffing is a primary cause of Hamilton’s mounting budget pressures.
Hamilton’s 2026 draft budget outlook states 49.2 per cent of the expected $106.7-million operating budget increase (8.9 per cent property tax increase) is driven by employee-related costs.
This week’s HR report notes that attrition, staff leaving positions due to resignations, dismissals, and retirements has declined to 8.36 per cent, down from 11.92 per cent in 2022.
The City of Hamilton implemented a new retention strategy in 2023 that included special one-time compensation jumps for non-union staff and continuing COVID-era flexible work arrangements.
Council Modifying Flexible Work Arrangements
In June, Council approved a policy change that will require administrative and managerial staff with hybrid arrangements to work in the office 50 per cent of the time, beginning January 1, 2026.
The City’s current practice requires two partial days per week in the office for these staff.
The new mandate will require an alternating schedule of two days one week, and three days the next to meet the 50 per cent threshold.
The move runs counter to trends in other jurisdictions. Many large municipalities, corporations, and the Government of Ontario are returning to pre-COVID work arrangements that default to five days in the office each week.
Premier Doug Ford has called for municipalities to follow suit and return to pre-COVID work arrangements.
Due to the City’s February 2024 cybersecurity failure, the City has not completed its 2023 or 2024 financial audits.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: October 3, 2025
Last updated: October 3, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
It’s of great concern the city is still using covid as an excuse ..get back to the office like everyone else . Why such an increase in the amount of staff ? The city doesn’t operate as a business & shows very little accountability for their spending habits . Shameful ..Andrea Horvath and her administration need to show leadership and operate the city like a business not a charity ..they continue to defer and blame the cyber attack which they were responsible for as they didn’t do what they should have . I ask myself why are these people still employed ?