One Year Out: Loomis Leads Mayoral Race, Horwath Close Behind, Crime Top Issue
Poll shows crime is top concern for 34 per cent of Hamiltonians, highest among Ontario cities surveyed. Horwath is the only large-city mayor with negative net approval.
S&P Strips Hamilton of Top Credit Rating, Warns Further Downgrades Possible
Credit rating agency cites missing financial statements and “weakness in financial management” following preventable 2024 cyberattack that lacked basic security safeguards
Once-Prominent Developer Harry Stinson Loses Last-Ditch Appeal of Securities Sanctions
Lawyer says investors will receive “nothing or minimal return” as Stinson’s development empire collapses on multiple fronts. The founder of Toronto’s The Mad Hatter appears out of rabbits.
City of Hamilton Begins Tax Sale of Cannon Knitting Mills
Hamilton tax sale comes as owner/developer Harry Stinson’s businesses are facing growing pressure. City plans to announce highest-bid tax sale winner on November 11.
Hamilton Councillors Approve Making “Toys for Tickets” An Annual Event
65 parking violators participated in the City’s first-ever ‘Toys for Tickets’ drive last year, donating a total retail value of $4,841.19 in toys in exchange for the City waiving $4,187 in parking ticket fines.
Hamilton Planning Committee Approves Four Homes Near the Airport
Four new single-detached homes approve on a corner lot at 20 Saveryn Road in Glanbrook, near Twenty Road and Upper James.
WEEKLY PREVIEW
Week Ahead: Hamilton Civic Meetings and Events for April 21 to 25, 2025
It’s the last week of the federal election campaign and Hamilton’s candidates will debate. Two OLT hearings, two City Hall meetings, and more in TPR’s weekly listing.
Hamilton Civic Affairs Calendar for Tuesday, October 28, 2025
10:00am Ontario Land Tribunal – 210 Calvin (Ancaster)
Online Videoconference
Case Info
4:00pm Hamilton Veterans Committee
Online Videoconference
Agenda // YouTube Livestream
6:00pm Climate Change Advisory Committee
Room 264, City Hall
Agenda // YouTube Livestream
Blogs and Columns
COLEMAN: One Year Out, Crime and Taxes Will Decide Hamilton’s 2026 Election
Crime and taxes are the buzzwords; voters want action on disorder and cost of living. 2026 candidates must show how they’ll deliver value while facing a fiscal cliff.
COLEMAN: Time for Hamilton Council to Ban Driving During Meetings
Council continues to permit delegates and members to participate in video meetings while operating motor vehicles.
Joey’s Notepad: New HSR Director Not Yet Hired
The next Director will need to oversee the complete transformation of all HSR bus routes, manage transit detours during planned LRT construction, have the bus system ready for LRT opening, and manage two garages with the Birch Avenue ‘bus barn’ scheduled to open in summer 2026.
How Council Voted
How Hamilton City Council Voted: June 2 to 20, 2025
There were 15 divided votes during the sixth council cycle of 2025 which began on June 2 and ended on June 20.
Newsletter Edition
News Briefs
BRIEF: Hamilton Children’s Museum Reopening on Jan 10, 2026
The museum, located in a historic 1875 farmhouse within Gage Park, is undergoing a $6.7-million expansion and renovation project.
INBOX: Hamilton Fire Stations Open on Thanksgiving Day
Hamilton’s fire department is holding open houses on October 13 between 1pm and 4pm. Food drive donation requested.
NOTED: Garner Road Contractor Went Bankrupt
Ward 12 Councillor Craig Cassar issues update saying work has resumed and work is “expected to be completed by mid-November, weather permitting”
BRIEF: Hamilton Public Library Returns to Pre-COVID Free Printing Limits
HPL also decreases colour per page charge
Recent News
Hamilton City Council Bypassed as Ancaster Developer Goes Back to the OLT A Second Time
A previously approved three-to-seven storey development at Wilson and Rousseau was cancelled by Bill 150 following the Greenbelt Scandal. It’s being litigated a second time after the developer files non-decision appeal.
Hamilton Library Seeks 5.25% Budget Increase, Exceeding Mayor Horwath’s 4.25% Directive
The requested increase challenges the Mayor’s 4.25 per cent “Hold the Line” mandate, continuing a trend of Boards and Agencies exceeding the target.
Over 100 Attend Public Forum on HART Hub; Operator Promises to ‘Earn Trust’
Homelessness and addiction recovery treatment program will open in early 2026 with 18 beds, with future expansion dependent on zoning approvals.
Hamilton Ambulance Set on Fire by Arsonist at General Hospital Early Sunday Morning
Security footage shows a male-appearing person place an incendiary object in the ambulance cabin before it burst into flames.
Superior Court Denied Zen Lounge Nightclub’s Injunction Request to Reopen
Superior Court makes no determination on merits of post-shooting closure, only that lease agreement’s arbitration clause dictates dispute management.
Meeting Preview: Hamilton Light Rail Transit SubCmte on October 16, 2025
Adding more equity-deserving groups to the LRT committee and feedback to Metrolinx on design are the two primary agenda items.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.