Live Coverage: Hamilton City Council Ratification Meeting on August 5, 2026

August 5, 2026 at 9:29 AM:

Good morning,

City Council is about to begin. At 9:28 a.m., there are 9 of 16 council members in the room.

9:30 AM:

Ward 10 Councillor Jeff Beattie enters the Chamber, takes his seat, and either Councillor Matt Francis or Mark Tadeson noted this could “potentially be your last meeting.”

Beattie is running for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario as their candidate in Hamilton East – Stoney Creek.

9:31 AM:

9:30 a.m. Roll Call:

On Time: 1,2,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,14,15
Not present at 9:30 a.m.: Mayor, 3,6,7,13

9:31 AM:

Note: graphics and social media posts for Roll Call will follow after the National Anthem.

9:34 AM:

Mayor Andrea Horwath arrived shortly after 9:30 a.m. and is chairing the meeting.
Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson arrived during the national anthem.

9:43 AM:

The first item today is a resolution to support a resolution from Puslinch Township backing Halton Hills’ call for Ontario to modernize invasive-plant rules. The City of Hamilton, like all municipalities, is spending significant sums annually managing invasive species.

The problem the resolution seeks to address is that garden centres and greenhouses are permitted to sell invasive plants. The resolution calls for a phasing out of sales in Ontario, and federal regulations to regulate the shipping and sale of invasive plants.

9:48 AM:

Council is now debating the heritage designation of the former Mount Hamilton Hospital maternity wing at 711 Concession, part of the hospital complex.

Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch plans to move an alternative motion to preserve some of the heritage features.

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark states the the Province does not provide funding to the hospitals for the increased costs of heritage maintenance and operating in an old facility. Says that the hospital may come back to Council asking for that funding going forward.

Ward 12 Councillor Craig Cassar speaks about the need to have modern health care facilities, the hospital needs to be able to do its project, saying that yes it is “a beautiful building” and the “balance here” is that the City needs to permit the hospital plan. Cassar notes he wants to preserve heritage as a starting position. He will vote against designation, and is supportive of Kroetsch’s pending motion.

9:50 AM:

Mayor Andrea Horwath describes this as a “unique situation” and similar to Cassar wants to maintain heritage. In this circumstance, the hospital needs to build its new building to “meet the needs of a growing city.”
Horwath will vote against designation, and is supportive of Kroetsch’s alternative motion.

9:56 AM:

DEFEATED

Council votes 3 to 12 on the heritage designation of 711 Concession Street, the former Mount Hamilton Hospital Maternity Wing.

In favour: Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), and Alex Wilson (Ward 13).
Opposed: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), Matt Francis (Ward 5), Tom Jackson (Ward 6), Rob Cooper (Ward 8), Brad Clark (Ward 9), Jeff Beattie (Ward 10), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Craig Cassar (Ward 12), Mike Spadafora (Ward 14), and Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).
Absent: Esther Pauls (Ward 7).

9:59 AM:

Here is a screen capture of the alternative motion.

10:01 AM:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark asked a series of questions that confirmed the alternative motion, as written, gives the City the final say on what must be salvaged and preserved.

He cannot support that because that imposes costs onto the hospital that are not funded by the Province or the municipality.

Clark stresses that the hospital has stated they will voluntarily salvage key heritage elements, and he has confidence in the hospital to do so.

He will vote against the alternative motion for these reasons.

10:14 AM:

Councillors are speaking to the Water and Wastewater Public Corporation Model provincial comment posting.

There is clear opposition to any openings to privatization. This provincial posting is more directed to areas where water and wastewater services are shared across municipal boundaries. Hamilton’s system is entirely within our single jurisdiction (with very small pockets across boundaries)

10:17 AM:

Council very quickly deal with the Vacant Unit Tax and the Light Rail Transit Committee items out of the General Issues Committee report.

The VUT passed on a 8-6 vote with one conflict of interest. (I’ll work to get the vote graphic as soon as possible, Council is moving very quickly right now)

LRT committee report approved on a 13-2 vote. Clark, Jackson opposed. Pauls absent.

10:18 AM:

Council is now on the Audit, Finance & Administration Committee report.

10:20 AM:

From the AFA meeting report:

Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark speaks to the delegations regarding the City’s management of Ontario Works overpayments and collection.

Clark states he wants to make clear the City Council is taking concerns of the delegates seriously, and they are waiting for the report of the City’s Auditor on the OW system, and will be taking action on the report’s recommendations.

10:23 AM:

Council is now on Motions (9.1 to 9.8)

9.1

Motion to Reconsider a Decision that was Approved at the June 24, 2026 Council Meeting, respecting Item 9.2 of General Issues Committee Minutes GIC 26-009, Funding Support for Autism Sensory Friendly Light Up the Creek

9.2

Amendment to Item 4 of the Audit, Finance and Administration Committee Report 21-022, respecting Investing in City Roads and Sidewalks Infrastructure with Canada Community – Building Funds, which was approved by Council on December 15, 2021

9.3

Release of the City Enrichment Fund Grant to Industry, Waiving the Hold Policy One-Time

9.4

Portable Toilet at Upper Red Hill Park (435 First Road West, Stoney Creek) (Ward 9)

9.5

Installation of Speed Cushions as a Traffic Calming Measure on Sunninghill Avenue (Ward 6)

9.6

Glancaster Road Speed Cushion Implementation (Wards 11 & 12)

9.7

Business Improvement Areas Holiday Parking Program Date Change

9.8

Amendment to By-law No. 25-201, Being the Vacant Unit Tax By-law

10:39 AM:

Motions are moving along as expected.

They are now on 9.6.

I will be back live posting for item 9.8. – the Vacant Unit Tax appeal fee motion. When passed, it will eliminate the $500 appeal fee.