Liveblog ReplayLive Coverage: Hamilton City Council General Issues Committee on July 29, 2026

July 29, 2026 at 9:30 AM:

Good morning,

The meeting is about to begin.

9:38 AM:

Here is the roll call:

Present: Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), Rob Cooper (Ward 8), Brad Clark (Ward 9), Jeff Beattie (Ward 10), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Craig Cassar (Ward 12), Alex Wilson (Ward 13), Mike Spadafora (Ward 14), and Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).
Attending remotely: Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), and Matt Francis (Ward 5).
Not Present at 9:30 a.m.: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Tom Jackson (Ward 6), and Esther Pauls (Ward 7).

9:39 AM:

Ward 14 Councillor Mike Spadafora is the Deputy Mayor for July, he is chairing today’s meeting.

Spadafora begins by stating today’s Council meeting will likely be extended beyond today. The meeting will recess late in the afternoon today, and resume at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

9:44 AM:

Current agenda item is: 6.1 Delegations respecting a Community Hub at 700 Garner Road East

Kevin Gonci, Chairman of the Mohawk Sports Park community group, was the first delegate. He outlined the high level benefits to building a new Community Hub at 700 Garner Road East, in the same location as the soon to begin construction joint French language Catholic and Public high school.

Ward 12 Councillor Craig Cassar stated he will be supporting exploring City support for the project.

Now two video recorded delegations will plan.

9:53 AM:

Now on delegation 6.2 Donna Lee Macdonald respecting a Central Outdoor Farmers’ and Producers’ Local Food Market in Downtown Hamilton

9:56 AM:

Donna Lee Macdonald was the City of Hamilton’s Market Manager prior to the current manager. (I cannot immediately recollect what year Macdonald left the role, sorry)

10:02 AM:

Donna Lee Macdonald has exceeded the five minute speaking time. Chair Spadafora give some leeway, but eventually her off.

Macdonald is calling on the City to take ownership of the parking lots at John Street and Wilson Street, build a giant canopy, and provide space for an outdoor Farmers Market in addition to the existing Hamilton Farmers Market.

10:05 AM:

Council is now on Item 6.3 Delegations respecting Homeless-Serving System Transformation Update

There are three registered delegations:

(i) Karl Andrus, Hamilton Community Benefits Network
(ii) Graham Cubitt, Chair, Hamilton is Home Coalition
(iii) Jess Brand, Indwell

10:11 AM:

Karl Andrus says he is concerned about the lack of clear replacement for the Barton/Tiffany outdoor emergency shelter low-barrier approach.
Similarly, he is concerned the City does not have a replacement for the use of hotel and motel rooms for family emergency shelter.
Andrus reached the five minute speaking limit. He was requested to quickly wrap up. Andrus continued his delegation. Deputy Mayor Spadafora asked him a second time to wrap up, which he did.

Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson asks the first question to the delegate, providing him an opportunity to explain the thesis of his delegation today for clarity.

10:20 AM:

Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson asked a series of questions to Andrus.
Andrus focused his answers to state the City of Hamilton needs to push the provincial and federal governments to fund rent geared to income units, because new market-affordable housing (80 per cent of CMHC measured average) is not accessible to those on social assistance and old age security as their source of income.

10:24 AM:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark asks Karl Andrus a question regarding what happens when the City of Hamilton is providing a better level of service to homelessness than other municipalities, which Clark says draws people seeking services to Hamilton.
Andrus rejects the premise. Clark pushes back, and Andrus stated that other municipalities are also providing services and that people are not coming to Hamilton disproportionately.

Andrus states he recently bought a home and he is willing to pay $1000 per year more in property tax to fund more supports for those experiencing and facing homelessness.

10:26 AM:

Next delegate is at the podium.

Graham Cubitt, Chair, Hamilton is Home Coalition

10:42 AM:

There have been many questions, and back-and-forth, between Cubitt and members of Council, regarding funding priorities, municipal budget constraints, and lobbying for more funding from the province and federal governments.

10:51 AM:

Now on Item 6.4 – Delegations respecting Implementation Plan for Residential Care Facilities Subsidy Program Modernization

The delegates registered on this item are:

(i) Chi-Ling Joanna Sinn, St. Joseph’s Health System Centre for Integrated Care
(ii) Sara Mayo, Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton
(iii) James Kemp

11:13 AM:

Now delegating is James Kemp, this is on the Implementation Plan for Residential Care Facilities Subsidy Program Modernization (Item 7.2)

11:20 AM:

Now on Item 6.5 Delegations respecting Hamilton’s Climate Action Strategy Annual Update

Delegations registered for this item are:
(i) Miriam Sager
(ii) Jesse Elders, Bay Area Climate Change Council
(iii) Ian Borsuk, Environment Hamilton

11:40 AM:

Now on Item 6.6 Frank DiMatteo respecting Vacant Unit Tax – 2026 By-law

11:44 AM:

DiMatteo is delegation about the VUT tax appeal process. Says his mother had to appeal after she did not file her VUT declaration in 2025.
When she received the VUT bill of over $2,000, she accidentally paid the City’s VUT because she did not realize the VUT was applied.
DiMatteo says the $500 late appeal fee is a significant financial burden for his mother who lives on an extremely fixed income.
He calls on the City to waive the late appeal fee, and create an exception for those for whom this is a significant financial burden.

11:46 AM:

Ward 5 Councillor Matt Francis says he will be moving “an amendment to end this $500 fee”

In the Chair, Deputy Mayor asks Francis if he has a question. Francis did not. (This is supposed to be only questions for clarification, but councillors of all political stripes make statements or pose leading/softball questions)

11:47 AM:

Delegate Frank DiMatteo says if the intent of the Vacant Unit Tax is to increase housing supply, then it is a great program, but it is designed to collect $500 late appeal fees, then it is not a good program.

11:51 AM:

Council is now discussing Item 7.1 PED26086 Hamilton’s Climate Action Strategy Annual Update (City Wide)

12:22 PM:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark is asking a series of questions regarding what the staff report means by “transitioning” out some of the existing Residential Care Facility beds.

Staff clarify “at this time” there are no plans to decrease the number of beds.

The new plan will change funding to reflect the acuity of care requirements of residents in RCFs.

Clark asks questions regarding how the City will ensure appropriate levels of care are provided to residents in the new model.

12:28 PM:

Council has received items 7.1 and 7.2.

Council will break for lunch no later than 1:00 p.m. for a 30 minute break.

12:46 PM:

Now on Council questions to staff regarding Homeless-Serving System Transformation

First questions will be from Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch

How is the emergency shelter and homelessness system are connecting people to the supports they need?

Response from Director Michelle Baird states they do their best, but there needs to be more funding from higher levels of government, including increases to OW and ODSP

Kroetsch asks if the City is tracking people’s negative experiences at shelters (such as theft)

Director Baird responded by stating the City is working to address the needs of people, why they avoid shelters, and then states the Barton/Tiffany outdoor shelter is meeting people’s needs.

Kroetsch asks how the City responds to be people’s acuity.

Staff

state they do.

12:49 PM:

Clr Kroetsch says there should be a formula measuring poverty and population to enable Hamilton to compare if the provincial and federal governments are adequately funding the City of Hamilton’s homelessness and housing responses.

12:55 PM:

Note: I am listening for new info in the ongoing Q&A

1:43 PM:

Apologies everyone, the post saying Council will actually resume at 1:45 p.m. did not process correctly.

1:44 PM:

Council is resuming following a 40 minute lunch recess.

They remain on Item 7.3 HSC26051 Homeless-Serving System Transformation Update

1:47 PM:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark is the first councillor to ask questions during the afternoon session.

Clark asks about the funding Hamilton is receiving from higher level of government, asks the Director of Housing and Homelessness Michelle Baird to confirm that the federal and provincial government have not increased their funding to the municipality and that recent budget increases have been funded from the municipal levy.

1:54 PM:

Ward 15 Councillor Ted McMeekin asks why the City is looking to close the Barton/Tiffany site “when it is working” noting that the Good Shepherd and Teviah Moro report that it is succeeding.

General Manager Grace Mater says yes, “we are seeing some really great outcomes”
Mater states that Council’s approval was for a temporary site.
Staff “could back in the future” with different options and considerations.
“That could be something that if there is some direction, we can pursue.”

2:05 PM:

Discussion of housing and homelessness is complete.

Council puts three items on the floor at once:

• 7.4 ACPD 26-007 Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities Minutes – July 14, 2026 (No Quorum)
• 7.5 CM25007(c) Build Back Better Project Portfolio Update (City Wide)
• 7.6 SBPC 26-002 School Board Property Sub-Committee Minutes dated July 20, 2026

2:06 PM:

Questions on Item 7.5 CM25007(c) Build Back Better Project Portfolio Update (City Wide)

2:07 PM:

Ward 11 Councillor Mark Tadeson asks how the City is measuring success in recovering from the cybersecurity failure.
The response from senior management is that they have project metrics.

2:11 PM:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark asks about the full-time staff count now assigned to the “Build Back Better” Initiative.
The report states delivering the full portfolio requires 47.75 FTEs through 2025-2027, with 8 new positions already in the 2026 tax budget and another 19.5 forecast for 2027.
Is this 75 positions?
Senior management will “have to get back” to the councillor.

4:47 PM:

City Council remains in closed session. (This post is to keep the liveblog open on the webserver)

5:35 PM:

I am seated in the public lobby area outside the Council Chambers.

Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 4 Councillor Tammy Hwang, and Ward 13 Councillor Alex Wilson all just left City Hall.

Council remains in closed session.