Waste Collection in Ward 9 is Proceeding

Posted on by Councillor Brad Clark

Collection is going ahead

Friday collection in Wards 6, 9 and 11 (and a small area in Ward 5):

These waste collection routes are serviced by our Contractor, GFL.  GFL has crews on the routes and anticipate collecting all garbage, green bin, yard waste and bulky items today.

Collection is cancelled, with options

Friday collection in Wards 4, 5, 12 (rural) and 13:

These routes are serviced by our City waste collection staff.  The collection of garbage, green bin, yard waste will not occur today.  At this time, impacted residents are asked to bring their waste back in from the curb and set it out on their collection day next Friday July 24th. To help with compounding residential waste for two weeks, the garbage container limit for Friday July 24th will be three (3) bags / containers for that day only. Reminder the weight limit per bag / container is 50 lbs.

Alternatively, residents with a Thursday or Friday waste collection day who did not receive waste collection this week are able to deliver their waste to the city’s three Community Recycling Centres (locations) at no charge today or on Saturday July 18th. 

  • Residents will be asked for postal code to confirm waste collection day
  • Recyclables must be separated from garbage
  • Food waste is considered garbage and must be packaged in a bag for drop off
  • CRCs are not open Sundays

An extension to the drop off option may occur if Monday’s collection program is impacted by the sustained poor air quality.

Blue Box Recycling is going ahead

The Contractor for the transitioned blue box program has advised that they will be collecting blue box recycling today.  All seven Wards with recycling collection today (4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 and 13) should anticipate having their blue boxes collected today.

Less strenuous activities to continue

City waste collection staff have been assigned to less strenuous cleanliness activities such as emptying litter containers in the downtown with the support of a mechanical tipper. 

Operationally, the team continues to assess waste collection day by day.  At this time we are monitoring resources for projected air quality over the coming days. Waste collection staff will report to work Monday morning anticipating to head out on Monday waste collection routes.

Waste Management staff are working with Corporate Communications to update our residents of this service impact including a Public Service Announcement,  adding an announcement on the City’s webpage and sharing across social media channels.

We thank the residents for their patience and apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Police seek witnesses after shooting in Upper Stoney Creek

Posted on by Councillor Brad Clark

Hamilton Police has issued a news release reporting a shooting in Upper Stoney Creek near the Eramosa Karst, Highland and Winterberry, with no injuries have been reported. Police are actively seeking any potential witnesses to this incident and urge anyone with information to come forward. For residents with security cameras please review your footage around 3:00am.

If you have information to share, call 905-546-4883 or email shootingresponseteam@hamiltonpolice.ca

To leave an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or visit crimestoppershamilton.com.

Increase in sworn police officers

Given that Ward 9 is one of the fastest growing wards in Hamilton, I have supported all the police budget increases which saw over 60 new hires in the last four years along with replacement hires for retirements etc. These new hires meant more officers for Upper Stoney Creek and Hamilton Mountain.

Moreover, the Police Chief created a permanent, specialized Shooting Response Team (SRT), focusing on investigating non‑fatal shootings and reckless gunfire, linking cases across other incidents, and targeting repeat offenders and gangs.

As of 2024 records, the SRT has the team has carried out 21 investigations, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals for a total of 98 charges.

Let me be clear, Councillors and even the Mayor have no direct power or legal authority over the Police. The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, much like the preceding Police Services Act is written is such a manner as to limit political intervention in policing ostensibly to prevent politicians from using the police for political purposes.

To truly understand crimes that are occurring in your community please use the link below.
https://hamiltonpolice.on.ca/how-to/find-crime-my-neighbourhood

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…