Hamilton Police Seek 8.62 Per Cent Tax Funded Increase, Double Mayor Horwath’s Budget Directive
HPS still plans to increase spending by nearly 10 per cent, despite Mayor’s “Hold the Line” 4.25 per cent directive.
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.
Hamilton Committee of Adjustment Votes Against Ancaster Intensification
Denial of 40 Church Street application is expected to be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Plus the full summary of the October 9 CoA hearings.
Hamilton Council Says Yes to 12-Storeys at 1570 Main Street West
City staff recommended denial, but Council determined the proposal affordable rent commitment, family units, and proximity to LRT meant it should be approved.
Mayor Horwath to Issue Budget Directive Tomorrow as City Facing Fiscal Cliff
The 2026 budget starts with a projected 8.9 per cent tax hike, drains the City’s discretionary reserves, and guarantees a fiscal cliff for the 2027 budget cycle.
OLT Moving Quickly on Controversial Proposal to Replace Ancaster Woodlot with 17 Homes
OLT orders City and developer to complete issues list by Nov. 3, with hearing dates expected in early 2026. The OLT is likely to overturn Council’s denial.
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 Wednesday, October 15, 2025
9:30am Special Council General Issues Committee: Asset Management and Infrastructure Deficit
Council Chambers, City Hall
Agenda // YouTube Livestream
Blogs and Columns
Joey’s Notepad: OLT Begins White Church Road Urban Boundary Expansion Case
Council has denied three urban boundary expansion applications, now the Ontario Land Tribunal will decide Hamilton’s fate.
Joey’s Notepad: I’ll miss the October 22 Library Board Meeting
The HPL Board is meeting on the fourth Wednesday of October, instead of the third
Joey’s Notepad: Hamilton Fire Rescues One Person in Vacant Home Fire at 81 Wilson
The man was taken to hospital for assessment and released.
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
OLT Deals With Complicated Procedural Disputes Between City and Upper West Side Landowners
OLT orders City to disclose proprietary airport noise modelling data ahead of eight-week urban boundary hearing in April 2026.
City of Hamilton Scrambles to Address Parking Meter ‘Compensation’ Charges for Remembrance Day Parades
New City policy requires Dundas Legion to pay $1,000. Ward 13 Clr Alex Wilson says the City will cover the charge.
City of Hamilton Headcount is now 9,449, up 12% from 2022
49.2 per cent of the expected $106.7-million 2026 operating budget increase (requiring a 8.9 per cent property tax increase) is driven by employee-related costs.
Lewis Road Development: Branthaven and City Tell OLT Settlement Is ‘Very Close’
Settlement Would Approve Development That Council Voted Down 11 Months Ago.
OLT Holds First Case Conference on Elfrida Expansion Appeal
Appeal follows City Council’s unanimous vote to reject the private application for Hamilton’s largest-ever proposed urban boundary expansion.
No Quorum, Again: Property Standards Meeting Cancelled, Tenants Left in Limbo
City unable to enforce property standards orders as citizen committee fails to meet for second time this year.
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