Live 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