Author: Councillor Brad Clark

As promised to the community, Council released this report early to enable comments on 3rd party air monitoring of the GFL Landfill odours. To read the report, please click on the download button.

I will be working with staff to draft a motion recommending that the city proceed with the air monitoring.

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/strong-mayor-powers-leadership-is-about-working-with-others/article_6dd303c0-d4c0-5e68-82da-1d01eb1ca771.html

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/ontario-land-tribunal-dismisses-ancaster-developers-appeal-over-eight-storey-wilson-street-condo/article_b287af58-113c-58af-bd61-ddb5d8d85cf8.html

Due to the cybersecurity incident impacting the City of Hamilton since February 25, pre-authorized payment withdrawals for taxes were put on hold temporarily to ensure the security of financial information and the accuracy of billing.

I am pleased to advise that, thanks to the hard work of staff, we are now able to resume pre-authorized withdrawals for the majority of taxpayers enrolled in pre-authorized payment plans. However, we have made revisions to some of the scheduled PAP withdrawal dates to minimize financial impacts to affected property owners and provide time for property owners to adjust and plan for the upcoming withdrawals.

The City is resuming the automatic withdrawals for the majority of taxpayers on pre-authorized payments starting on April 15, with one group starting on April 30. The regular schedule will restart in June. The revised schedules for the five payment plans are as follows:

• If you are enrolled in a 10-month (Feb-Nov) or 12-month (Jan-Dec) pre-authorized payment plan (PAPs withdrawn on the first day of the month):
  • March 1 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on April 15
  • April 1 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 1
  • May 1 withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 15
  • June 1 and subsequent withdrawals will proceed as originally scheduled

• If you are on the 12-month plan (PAPs withdrawn on 15^th day of the month):
  • March 15 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on April 15
  • April 15 withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 1
  • May 15 and subsequent withdrawals will proceed as originally scheduled.

• If you are on the Arrears plan (PAPs withdrawn on the last business day of the month):
  • February 29 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on April 15
  • March 28 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 1
  • April 30 withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 15
  • May 31 and subsequent withdrawals will proceed as originally scheduled.

• If you are on the Instalment plan (PAPs withdrawn on the instalment due dates):
  • February 29 deferred withdrawal will now be withdrawn on April 30
  • April 30 withdrawal will now be withdrawn on May 31
  • The remaining withdrawals will be identified on your 2024 Final Tax bill.

The City is in the process of notifying those affected, sending letters to the approximately 68,000 property owners who are on Property Tax PAP plans. Information is on the City website at hamilton.ca/cyberincident and will also be shared through other communications channels such as social media.