Hamilton City Council met between January 23 and February 19 to deliberate Mayor Andrea Horwath’s 2026 City of Hamilton budget.
The following are the divided votes and how each member of Council voted.
Friday, January 23, 2026 Budget Overview Presentations
Mayor’s Budget Memo
A procedural vote to formally receive Mayor Andrea Horwath’s January 20, 2026 Strong Mayor Budget Directive Memo.
❌ [Defeated 5-11] ❌
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 12 Craig Cassar
Opposed: Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Staff Slide Presentation
A procedural vote to formally receive the staff slide show budget presentation.
❌ [Defeated 6-10] ❌
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson
Opposed: Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Friday, February 6, 2026 Budget Deliberations
Continuing Commercial Blue Box Collection
A motion for the City of Hamilton to provide blue box collection services for commercial properties for the remainder of 2026. The Province of Ontario uploaded recycling to a provincial producer responsibility model. The new model requires commercial properties to provide for their own recycling collection.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: (a) That the Proposed 2026 Tax Supported Budget BE AMENDED as follows:
(i) That blue box collection services provided by the City of Hamilton for non-eligible properties currently receiving this service BE CONTINUED starting April 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026, at an estimated cost of $2,118,000;
(ii) That funding to continue blue box collections services as outlined in (a) come from the Tax Stabilization Reserve (110046) and that the 2026-2027 Reserve Financing Strategy, Appendix E to Report FSC26001, BE AMENDED to reflect this change; and
(iii) That staff BE DIRECTED to develop a robust plan, including appropriate tools and supports, to assist non-eligible properties to successfully transition to private blue box collection services beginning January 1, 2027.
✅ [Passed 14-1] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 9 Brad Clark
Absent: Ward 10 Jeff Beattie
Hamilton Public Library Budget: Permitting a 5.25 Per Cent Increase
To amend Mayor Andrea Horwath’s budget to permit the Library to increase its budget by 5.25 per cent to maintain its current service levels while it continues to face social pressures impacting its operations, notwithstanding Mayor Horwath’s opposition to the library funding request.
That the Proposed 2026 Tax Budget BE AMENDED as follows:
(i) That the proposed Hamilton Public Library budget BE AMENDED to add an additional $373,050 from the levy, bringing the Hamilton Public Library budget to $39,449,273 representing a 5.25 per cent increase.
✅ [Passed 9-7] ✅ (Note: Mayor Horwath can override this decision using a Strong Mayor veto)
In Favour: Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Adjustment to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Board of Directors Budget
To add $25,000 to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market tax-levy supported budget to permit the Market to have a security guard on duty during all open hours.
That the Proposed 2026 Tax Budget BE AMENDED as follows:
(i) That the proposed Hamilton Farmers’ Market budget BE AMENDED to add an additional $25,000 from the levy, bringing the Hamilton Farmers’ Market budget to $426,260, representing a 24.4 per cent increase.
✅ [Passed 15-1] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 11 Mark Tadeson
Deferral: Municipal Grass Cutting Mitigation Measures
Mayor Horwath’s budget included a proposal to decrease the number of grass cuts within the municipal urban right-of-way.
Councillors debated the impact of this measure and voted to defer a decision for one week to receive additional information.
That the Motion respecting Grass Cutting Mitigation Measures BE DEFERRED to the February 13, 2026 General Issues Committee (Budget) meeting for consideration.
✅ [Passed 9-7] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
City Enrichment Fund Budget
Mayor Horwath’s budget freezes the CEF budget at the same level as 2025.
A motion was put on the floor to amend the budget and increase the CEF budget by 8 per cent. It was defeated. There were two votes: one to call the question on the motion, and then on the motion itself.
CALLING THE QUESTION
✅ [Passed 13-3] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 13 Alex Wilson
MAIN MOTION
That the Proposed 2026 Tax Budget BE AMENDED as follows: (i) That the Proposed 2026 City Enrichment Fund budget BE INCREASED by $541,562, bringing the City Enrichment Fund budget to $7,311,093.
❌ [Defeated 3-13] ❌
In Favour: Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 13 Alex Wilson
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
City Council Free Lunch Program
A walk-on motion by Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark to end publicly-funded meals for City Council members and the senior-most City of Hamilton staff.
Mayor Andrea Horwath opposed the walk-on motion, stating she was concerned about how people would be able to obtain access to nutrition if lunches were no longer catered. Mayor Horwath moved a deferral to request senior staff study these matters. Councillor Clark proposed an amendment to Mayor Horwath’s motion to conduct a survey of all City of Hamilton staff to ask them to share how they manage lunch and nutritional needs without catering.
Clark amendment to survey staff on how they obtain lunch
❌ [Defeated 3-13] ❌
In Favour: Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Horwath’s Deferral Motion
✅ [Passed 13-3] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson
Friday, February 13, 2026 Budget Deliberations, Final Committee Day
Grass Cutting Mitigation Measures
There was a series of votes regarding the Mayor’s budget proposal to decrease the number of grass cuts conducted in 2026. Motions to maintain 2025 service levels in the urban right-of-way were defeated, motions to restore some of the parks and open space cuts passed, and it was confirmed there be no decreases to rural ditch and intersection cuts.
Urban Right of Way Cut Schedule
That the proposed 2026 Tax Budget BE AMENDED to add an additional $105,000 from the levy, to reinstate the urban right of way maintenance;
❌ [Defeated 7-9] ❌
In Favour: Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
City Parks and Open Spaces
That the proposed 2026 Tax Budget BE AMENDED to add an additional $156,000 for grass cutting on City Owned and Non-City Owned Lands; and
✅ [Passed 13-3] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson
Deferral of a Portion of Transfer Station/CRC Maintenance and Capital Improvement Program to 2027
A motion to use accounting to artificially lower the 2026 tax increase and to add to the 2027 tax increase by moving the payments for work to upgrade the City’s public waste transfer and recycling collection facilities into the next fiscal year.
This motion was in keeping with Mayor Horwath’s 2026 budget strategy of using accounting methods to temporarily delay payment of costs incurred by the Corporation of the City of Hamilton.
It also kept with a long City of Hamilton tradition of “last-minute” performative motions to “lower taxes” during the final budget meeting.
That Capital Project ID 5120094001 – Transfer Station/CRC Maintenance and Capital Improvement Program in the Waste Management Division, BE AMENDED to $3,596,667, representing a deferral of $500,000 to the 2027 budget process, resulting in a 2026 Capital Levy reduction of $300,000 and a development charge reduction of $200,000.
✅ [Passed 15-1] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Ward 13 Alex Wilson
2026 Tax Budget Amendments – Discretionary Development Charge Exemptions
This motion adds $3 million in pressure to the 2027 budget process by not making a required $3 million payment into the development charge reserves in 2026.
That the proposed 2026 Capital Levy BE REDUCED by $3 million, reflecting a deferral of the funding of historical Development Charge exemptions to the 2027 budget process
✅ [Passed 12-4] ✅ (This is a veto-proof margin)
In Favour: Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Build Budget Better: An Amendment to the Draft 2026 City of Hamilton Budget and Financing Plan
A series of budget amendments to lower the expected spending on “cybersecurity recovery” and “innovation” projects in 2026. The motion, if passed, would have transferred costs into the 2027 budget.
(a) That the 2026 City of Hamilton Budget and Finance Plan be reduced by $3.2 million as follows:
(i) That the 2026 Capital Levy BE REDUCED by $2.5 million, reflecting the deferral of capital project 3302348302 climate change action plan to the 2027 budget process; and
(ii) That the Capital Financing Plan for 2026 BE AMENDED to reflect a reduction in tax-supported debt of $8.1 million and a 2026 capital levy reduction of $719,000, reflecting the deferral of proposed 2026 tax capital budgets of the following projects:
(1) $828,000 representing a reduction to the capital levy of $73,000 from 3502557005 – Museum Collections Management Application;
(2) $126,500 representing a reduction to the capital levy of $10,000 from 3502557011 – Corporate Document and Records Management;
(3) $5,733,000 representing a reduction to the capital levy of $507,000 from 3502557012 – Enterprise Resource Planning System;
(4) $543,000 representing a reduction to the capital levy of $49,000 from 3502557021 – Transit Scheduling and Dispatch System; and
(5) $895,000 representing a reduction to the capital levy of $80,000 from 3502657001 – Critical Infrastructure Replacement and Refresh.
❌ [Defeated 6-9] ❌
In Favour: Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Absent: Ward 7 Esther Pauls
Council Free Lunch Program
A motion that the Council free lunch program be removed from the budget.
Ward 15 Councillor Ted McMeekin declared a conflict of interest, stating that the issue involves a personal benefit for council members.
That the proposed Legislative budget BE REDUCED by $25,780, reflecting the cessation of funding of meals for elected members and the senior leadership team during Committee and Council meetings, reducing the Legislative Department budget to $7,922,526.
✅ [Passed 15-0-1] ✅
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Nrinder Nann, Ward 4 Tammy Hwang, Ward 5 Matt Francis, Ward 6 Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Esther Pauls, Ward 8 Rob Cooper, Ward 9 Brad Clark, Ward 10 Jeff Beattie, Ward 11 Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Alex Wilson, Ward 14 Mike Spadafora
Declared Conflict of Interest: Ward 15 Ted McMeekin
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: February 18, 2026
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version