All curbside waste collection (garbage, green bin, bulk waste, and recycling) is one day later than usual this week due to snow conditions.

This week, please put waste out one day later by 7 am:

• Monday → Tuesday by 7 am
• Tuesday → Wednesday by 7 am
• Wednesday → Thursday by 7 am
• Thursday → Friday by 7 am
• Friday → Saturday by 7 am 

Please be advised that in order to complete repairs to the water distribution system, the City is coordinating a watermain shutdown for the Developer.

The water shutdown is scheduled for Tuesday January 27, 2026 at 9:00am with an anticipated duration of 6 hours.

Shutdown Locations:

1. Queen Mary Blvd between Cactus Crescent and Bedrock Drive
2. Cactus Crescent between July Ave. and Queen Mary Blvd.

Notices to affected users will be distributed a minimum of 48 Hours in advance.

Mayor Horwath releases 2026 Proposed Tax Budget focused on affordability, core services and long-term financial sustainability

Mayor Andrea Horwath today released the Mayor’s Report and 2026 Proposed Tax Budget for the City of Hamilton. The Proposed Budget is guided by clear direction to maintain affordability and responsible financial decisions to protect City services and infrastructure while investing in what matters most to the community – now and over the long-term.

The 2026 Proposed Tax Budget has a 4.25 per cent residential tax increase and reflects a disciplined approach to managing costs while maintaining the services residents rely on every day. It maintains core City services, invests in renewing and enhancing infrastructure, supports public safety and emergency services, advances housing and homelessness supports, supports transit and transit expansion, and supports local employment and strengthens the development sector.

“Hamiltonians are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and affordability is top of mind,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “This Proposed Budget reflects the priorities we heard from residents; protecting the services people rely on every day, setting a clear limit on the tax increase, and continuing to invest in roads, transit, and community safety. It is a practical, disciplined budget that balances today’s affordability pressures while planning responsibly for the future.”

Councillor Brad Clark maintains that the budget increase should be no more than 2.25%. “Residents are struggling with increasing food costs, mortgage interest rates, fuel costs, heating costs and insurance. They find the increase in property taxes to be unaffordable.”

Recognizing the ongoing cost pressures facing residents and businesses, the City has taken a rigorous and transparent “hold-the-line” approach to affordability, balancing today’s needs with long-term sustainability. Key cost factors, such as inflation, increased service demand and infrastructure needs, are clearly outlined to help residents understand where investments are needed.

At the same time, staff have undertaken a line-by-line budget review to identify efficiencies, manage expenditures and streamline operations to ensure value for money. The Proposed Budget also reflects feedback from public engagement, ensuring public dollars are used carefully and where they have the greatest impact.

Key proposed investments and priorities for the 2026 Proposed Tax Budget include:

• Essential city services: maintaining the everyday services Hamilton residents depend on.

• Affordability and sustainability: responding to current cost pressures while protecting long-term financial stability, including careful financial planning and use of financial bridging strategies to fund infrastructure renewal and development, and helping to lessen the impact on property taxes.
• Infrastructure renewal: investing $626 million in infrastructure to maintain state-of-good-repair including roads, sidewalks, bridges and other community assets.
• Transit and transportation improvements: improving mobility and supporting growth through investments in the maintenance and storage facility, new and replacement buses and transportation upgrades.
• Public safety: supporting emergency and long-term care services, such as Macassa Lodge Redevelopment and new Fire, Police, and Paramedic facilities.
• Housing and homelessness support: continuing investments in housing stability and supports.
• Modernizing city services: digital resiliency upgrades to make city systems more secure and improve the customer experience.
• Growth and local employment: enabling responsible growth and supporting the local economy through economic development initiatives, including commercial district revitalization.

“This budget reflects what we heard from our community and the decisions we are making to support residents and the services they count on every day,” said City Manager Marnie Cluckie. “By responding to affordability pressures, steadily investing in infrastructure and protecting core services, we are ensuring Hamilton remains a city where everyone can live, work and thrive.”

Together, these investments reflect a balanced approach by responding to affordability pressures today while protecting the City’s ability to deliver services and infrastructure sustainably into the future.

City Council will have 30 days to review the Mayor’s Proposed Tax Budget, propose amendments, deliberate and vote on amendments. Staff will provide a detailed presentation and overview of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget starting on January 23. Final adoption of the tax budget is expected in February or March 2026.

All meetings are livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel. Residents can visit www.hamilton.ca/2026Budget for the full schedule, access to budget materials, helpful resources and details on how to register for delegations or listen to presentations.

In February of 2025 Councillor Clark put forward a motion asking that the budget increase to be no more than 2.25%.

Council February 26, 2025

Areas for Improvement, Efficiency and Effectiveness

(Clark/Beattie)

WHERAS, there has been an exponential growth in new FTEs over the last 4 years with a total of 731 new hires: 73 new FTEs in 2022, 242 new FTEs in 2023, 196 new FTEs in 2024, 220 new FTEs in 2025;

WHEREAS, the total number of employees in city of Hamilton has now exceeded 8,000; and

WHEREAS, Outcome Number 1 under Priority Number 1 under Sustainable Economic and Ecological Development in the approved 2022-2026 Council Priorities was “Reduce the Burden on City Tax Payers”

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:  That the City Manager report back to the General Issues Committee with a recommended scope of work prior to any issuance of a RFP on a Functional Improvement Process/Program or a Business Process Improvement plan which will be defined as a management exercise to assess city procedures to identify areas that can be improved to be more efficient and/or effective to be financed out of the tax stabilization reserve with semi-annual report backs to General Issues Committee starting in 2026. 

MOTION, CARRIED by a vote of 13 to 0

Council February 26, 2025

Inflation Rate for 2026   

(Clark/Beattie)

That staff be directed to provide information to Council through the General Issues Committee (Budget) on how the City could operate with an inflation rate (2.5%) increase for 2026.

Motion CARRIED by a vote of 13 to 0

Winter is here, Hamilton and the City is sharing tips for residents to stay safe and warm. Cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions can impact everything from local commutes and health, to home safety and a little preparation can help reduce risks and keep everyone safe.

Residents can visit the City’s website at Hamilton.ca for up-to-date information on all City of Hamilton services during the Holidays.

Protecting yourself and staying warm

• Dress warmly in layers of clothing, keeping inner layers dry as wet clothing increases the risk of injury.
• Protect your face, ears and hands with a scarf, hat and gloves.
• Check in on your neighbours, older adults and those who may need extra support.
• Visit the City of Hamilton website for Cold Weather Alerts (when active) and remain indoors where possible.
• The City’s overnight drop-in and evening warming spaces operate December 1 until March 31, regardless of the temperature outdoors, to support those individuals living unhoused:
  • 25 evening warming spaces for people of all genders at Mission Services Night Link
  • 45 overnight warming spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at Mission Services Willow’s Place
  • 35 overnight drop-in spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at YWCA Carole Anne’s Place (CAP)
  • Up to 50 overnight warming spaces for men at Urban Core’s St. Paul’s Church
• Help reduce the spread of respiratory infections by ensuring you have received your flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and RSV vaccine if eligible. It is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness.
• To reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, use protective measures which include staying at home when sick, washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning high touch surfaces and items, wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor crowded spaces and spending time outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces when possible.

Be prepared for winter conditions

• Road conditions can change quickly so remember to drive slowly, leave extra time and space, use winter tires and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Plan ahead and check the City site for road closures and snow plow tracking. In heavy snowfall or harsh winter conditions, consider waiting until the roads are clearer.
• Before snow is expected or the temperature is expected to drop below freezing, spread a small amount of salt on your driveway and walkways.
• When clearing your driveway after snowfall, do not blow or place snow onto the roadway and consider the direction of travel of any snow plows, move snow to the side of your property that the plow finishes on so less snow will be spread back across the driveway.
• Keep hydrants in front of your home clear of snow
• Residents can follow the City’s Plows using the Plow Tracker: Plow Tracker
• To prevent frozen pipes in your home, seal air leaks in your home and garage, shut off and drain all outdoor taps and hoses, install insulated pipe sleeves on exposed pipes in unheated areas of your home
• If you are leaving for an extended period of time during the winter season, it is recommended to shut off the water to your home.
• Should residents experience a frozen pipe, the City has steps to attempt to thaw them: Frozen Pipes

Be aware of potential hazards

Stay off frozen creeks and stormwater management ponds. While they may appear to be fully frozen, several factors contribute to the unpredictability of stormwater management ponds, such as the ice depth, which varies across the pond’s surface.

Stormwater ponds are typically located in remote or hard to access areas making it difficult for crews to get through in an emergency, and due to the continuous flow of water in these ponds, the ice that forms during winter months is unstable and is never 100% safe.

Winter safety is a shared responsibility, and small, proactive steps can help ensure a comfortable and healthy season for everyone.

Additional Resources:

• Web page: What’s open and what’s closed at the City of Hamilton
• Web page: City of Hamilton Snow and Ice Clearing
• Web page: City of Hamilton Frozen Pipes
• Web page: Cold Alerts and Community Response
• Web page: City of Hamilton Winter Response Strategy
• Web page: City of Hamilton Respiratory Illnesses

Starting next week, the City of Hamilton will offer in-person, drop-in clinics in Senior Centres across Hamilton, where staff will provide personal assistance to help residential property owners complete their annual Vacant Unit Tax declaration accurately and on time. 

No reservations are required. Residential property owners just need to bring their Notice to Declare Letter or most recent property tax bill, which contains the roll number and access code needed to complete their declaration. Clinics will be hosted at the following locations, dates and times.  

Vacant Unit Tax Drop-In Clinic Schedule: 

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 

Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre, 780 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton  

o    10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Thursday, January 15, 2026 

Flamborough Seniors Centre, 163 Dundas St. East, Hamilton  

o    10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Friday, January 16, 2026 

Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre, 622 Alberton Rd. South, Ancaster  

o    10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 

Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre, 622 Alberton Rd. South, Ancaster  

o    10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Thursday, January 22, 2026 

Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre, 780 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton  

o    10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Friday, January 23, 2025 

Flamborough Seniors Centre, 163 Dundas St. East, Hamilton  

o    10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

All residential property owners are required to declare the occupancy status of their properties for the 2025 tax year by April 15, 2026. Failure to submit a declaration by the deadline will result in the residential unit being deemed vacant and the Vacant Unit Tax will be applied. 

Full details on the different ways that residential property owners can submit a declaration, including online, via phone, email and by mail, are available online at hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax. 

Additional drop-in clinics will be added across Hamilton during the declaration period. Residents are encouraged to visit hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax in early 2026 to learn more.