Mayor’s Budget Direction Leads to Staff Proposed Reduction in Grass Cutting in Three Ward 9 Parks and Parkettes

Posted on by Councillor Brad Clark

City staff have recommended the reduction of grass cutting in these parks/parkettes in Ward 9 (see graphics below). I have opposed this plan to reduce grass cutting on these properties without any public consultation. Staff are proposing a reduction in grass cutting in urban right of ways from 12 cycles to 9 cycles.

If you oppose this reduction in services, please write to the Mayor and Councillors to clerk@hamilton.ca

Please find below additional information regarding the proposed grass-cutting changes as provided by General Manager Jackie Kennedy.

Q1. What changes are being proposed for grass cutting in urban right-of-way areas?

A1: The City is adjusting its grass cutting schedule within municipal right-of-way areas, which are maintained by contracted services overseen by the Transportation Division of Public Works. The new approach keeps the current cutting cycle during the spring and early summer when grass grows most rapidly, but reduces the frequency later in the season when grass growth slows or becomes dormant. This means fewer cuts in late summer and fall, reflecting periods when mowing has limited visual or functional benefit. The annual cutting frequency will decrease from 12 to 9 cycles, resulting in a budget savings of $105,000. The City can add extra cuts if unusual weather leads to sustained grass growth. These changes are designed to maintain roadway safety, visibility, and urban appearance.

Q2. Will rural roadside mowing be affected by these changes?

A2: No, rural roadside mowing is not impacted by this proposal. It will continue as usual, following established service levels and practices from previous years. Although there were contractor delays in rural mowing in 2025, these issues have been resolved and are not expected to recur.

Q3: Will the changes affect sports fields?

A3: No, sports fields and key open grass areas in parks will continue to be mowed as usual.

Q4. What changes are proposed for grass cutting in City parks, open spaces, and private properties?

A4:  The City is proposing to reduce mowing in certain park areas and open spaces, resulting in a budget savings of $250,000. The reductions focus on non-City lands without service agreements and city properties with areas suitable for naturalization, such as spaces next to existing natural areas, woodlands, and unprogrammed spaces. Sports fields and key open grass areas in parks will continue to be mowed as usual. Areas not owned by the City and without agreements will receive notice that mowing will stop, but landowners can discuss establishing a paid service agreement if desired. Existing agreements, such as those with school boards adjacent to parkland, will continue.

Q5. Why are some areas being removed from the mowing program, and what happens next?

A5: To improve efficiency and focus staff on core services, the City reviewed mowing areas and identified some that could transition to naturalized landscapes. These areas, often adjacent to naturalized zones, will be promoted for biodiversity and healthy, native plant communities as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan. Residents will be informed about opportunities to participate in planting events as plans develop. Maps showing the spaces proposed for removal from the mowing program are available, with red dashed areas indicating where mowing will stop. Sports fields and key open spaces will remain part of the regular mowing program.

Q6. How will residents and landowners be notified about these changes?

A6: Landowners of non-City properties currently receiving mowing services without an agreement will be notified that the service will end. They may choose to discuss a formal agreement with the City if they wish to continue receiving mowing services, which would include compensation for the service.

Q7. Where can I find more information or see which areas will no longer be mowed?

A7: All spaces proposed for removal from the parks mowing program are shown in attached PDF map. The red dashed areas indicate spaces that will no longer be mowed. Key open spaces and sports fields will continue to be maintained by the parks team.

Sharpening budget pencils, 2/3 of Councillors refuse to receive Mayor’s 2026 budget

Posted on by Councillor Brad Clark

At the January 23, 2026, GIC budget meeting, Council pushed back on the mayors proposed budget increase of 4.25%. Council voted by 2/3 majority to NOT RECEIVE her budget memorandum. What does this mean? It is really a procedural vote. Voting to not receive any document simply reflects the individuals’ opposition to the document. In this case, it sends a clear message. If the votes hold, Council does have the required votes to veto her 2026 budget.

At this time, Councillors are diligently looking for efficiencies and cost reductions based on the budget documents received. I continue to object that council is not receiving gross numbers, actuals and expenditure breakdowns for every division. This lack of clarity can cause confusion for councillors and the general public.

On January 28, 2026, Councillors Beattie and Francis moved a motion directing staff to present all budget mitigations that was considered by staff. The motion passed unanimously.

In February 2025, I moved a motion to have staff show impacts of 2026 budget increase at 2.5% which was supported by Council. The public record shows that I voted against the 2023 budget, as Budget Chair. I publicly objected to every mayoral directive budget under “strong mayor authority”. The budget increases in annual operational spending continues to be unacceptable. Most residents are struggling with food, heating, insurance, mortgage payments, and automobile fuel etc. I have heard from many ward 9 residents who are struggling to pay their bills. Mortgage renewals have dramatically reduced the disposable income of many residents.

The discussions continues…

NOTICE: Elfrida Urban Boundary Expansion Application Public Hearing June 25, 2025

Posted on by Councillor Brad Clark

An Urban Boundary Expansion application, being an application to amend both the
Urban Hamilton Official Plan and Rural Hamilton Official Plan, has been submitted by the Elfrida Community Builders Group Inc., representing over 70% of the different land holdings in the Elfrida area.

The Elfrida lands are an “L shaped” grouping of lands that comprise an area of 1, 209 hectares in size. The subject lands are bounded by Upper Centennial Parkway, Mud
Street East, Second Road East, Hendershot Road, Golf Club Road, Trinity Church
Road and a Hydro Corridor. The location is shown on the map attached as Appendix 1.
A Concept Plan, submitted with the application, outlining intended land uses from a high
level perspective. The application proposes a variety of housing for 117,000 residents.

The applications were submitted to city planning staff on November 20, 2025, and deemed complete on March 18, 2025. The Planning Act requires a decision to be made by Council within 120 days of an application being deemed complete which started March 14, 2025 when all
materials were submitted.
City Council has been advised that the new Provincial Planning Statement was issued October 2024 and permits privately initiated urban boundary expansion applications to be submitted outside of a municipal comprehensive review and Bill 185 now permits a Council denial or non-decision of an application to be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. NOTE: Council has approved a no urban boundary expansion growth strategy that is reflected in policy in the Urban Hamilton Official Plan.
The public hearing is likely to generate significant interest and speakers, presentations,
and correspondence. The urban boundary expansion application will also likely
generate significant discussion by Planning Committee members. Therefore, a Special
Planning Committee meeting will be held on June 25, 2025, followed by a Special
Council meeting directly after to ratify any Committee decision before the 120 day
deadline. The White Church urban boundary Official Plan Amendment application will
also be considered at the same meeting.

Be Heard
Be heard on June 25, 2025.

I am encouraging residents to write to the Planning Committee to provide their comments. Whether you support the application or oppose it, you have the right to be heard. All documentation received and delegations helps to inform the Planning Committee’s decision and Council’s subsequent ratification. You can email your written documents to clerk@hamilton.ca no later than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All residents who have written to the Planning Committee or appeared as delegates for the June 25 Special Planning Committee Public Hearing reserve their rights to appeal the Council decision to the Ontario Lands Tribunal.



Media Release – Drop-in Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Clinics

Posted on by lyndzeefreeman

Vacant Unit Tax staff will offer in-person, drop-in clinics in each Ward, where staff will provide personal assistance to help residential property owners complete their Vacant Unit Tax declaration accurately and on time.  

No reservations are required. Residential property owners just need to bring their Notice to Declare Letter that was sent in the mail (dated February 3, 2025) or their most recent property tax bill. Clinics will be hosted at the following locations, dates and times.  

Vacant Unit Tax Drop-in Clinic Schedule

Monday, March 17

Ward 10 – Winona Community Centre, 255 Winona Road, Stoney Creek 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Ward 1 – Dalewood Recreation Centre, 1152 Main St. West, Hamilton 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18

Ward 2 – Bennetto Community Centre, 450 Hughson St. North, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19

Ward 3 – Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, 876 Cannon St. East, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 20

Ward 4 – Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre, 1709 Main St. East, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Monday, March 24

Ward 6 – Bill Friday Lawfield Arena, 150 Folkestone Avenue, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Ward 15 – Harry Howell Arena, 27 Highway 5 West, Flamborough 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25

Ward 7 – Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre, 780 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 26
Ward 8 – Westmount Recreation Centre, 35 Lynbrook Drive, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 27
Ward 9 – Valley Park Community Centre, 970 Paramount Dr, Stoney Creek 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Monday, March 31
Ward 5 – Stoney Creek Recreation Centre, 45 King Street West, Stoney Creek 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ward 11 – Glanbrook Arena, 4300 Binbrook Road, Glanbrook 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 1
Ward 12 – Ancaster Rotary Centre & Morgan Firestone Arena, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.


Wednesday, April 2
Ward 13 – J.L. Grightmire Arena, 35 Market Street South, Dundas 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 3
Ward 14 – Chedoke Twin Pad Arena, 91 Chedmac Drive, Hamilton 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

All residential property owners are required to declare the occupancy status of their properties for the 2024 tax year by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 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 here