Winter Response Readiness

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Exposure to cold weather can be harmful to your health. Wind always makes it feel colder, and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. During extreme cold weather conditions, please call, visit, or check on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours. 

The City of Hamilton has notified community agencies who work with people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness. City of Hamilton Recreation Centres and Hamilton Public Library branches are available as warming spaces during regular business hours. For more information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold.  

The City of Hamilton has launched an enhanced Winter Response Strategy to support unhoused and vulnerable residents, which will be in effect daily from December 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. For more information visit www.hamilton.ca/WinterResponse. 

The best place for you during a Cold Weather Alert is indoors. If you must be outside:

  • Dress in layers of clothing. Keep inner layers dry. Wet clothing increases the risk of cold injury.
  • Protect your face, ears and hands with a scarf, hat, and gloves.
  • To protect your feet, socks must be dry. Wool is a good material to keep your feet dry.
  • Drink warm fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise.

Key Winter Operations Facts: 

  • Preparedness: All storage facilities are continually stocked to ensure salt and sand is always available. The City typically uses 65,000 tons of salt annually, with 37,000 tons of storage, restocked when used. 
  • Fleet & Staffing: The City has 115 in-house and 49 contracted combination plows, supported by an additional 177 pieces of winter equipment, including graders, loaders, and skid steers.  These resources are on standby and ready to respond to the event. 
  • De-Icing Materials: The City primarily uses brine to anti-ice roadways when conditions allow and treat the roads with rock salt prior, during and after events.  When temperatures drop and salt becomes more ineffective, we switch to a salt/sand mix to provide traction. 
  • Plowing Activation: We actively have combination plows stationed on escarpment accesses and priority routes prior to precipitation. Staff apply material and plow as required in order to meet Council approved Levels of Service.  

Key Reminders for Residents: 

  • Park in driveways when possible, to allow plows to clear streets more effectively. 
  • Avoid unnecessary travel, and drive cautiously, giving snowplows and salt trucks plenty of space. 
  • Carry an emergency kit in vehicles and allow extra travel time. 
  • It is an offense under the Highway Traffic Act (Section 181) to deposit snow onto roadways. 
  • Report hazardous road conditions by calling (905) 546-CITY (2489). 

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

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Auto car insurance concept on a smartphone screen with a car in the background

Auto Theft Prevention: Tips to Protect Your Vehicle

Within the first three weeks of 2025, over 50 cars were stolen in Hamilton. While certain vehicles may be more attractive to thieves, no car is immune to theft. By taking a few precautions, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your vehicle becoming a target.

  • Lock your car: Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re just stepping away for a moment. Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
  • Hide valuables: Thieves are often attracted to items left in plain sight. Don’t leave electronics, bags, or even loose change visible inside your car.
  • Park securely: Choose well-lit, busy areas or secure parking lots, and consider parking in a garage or behind a locked gate when possible.
  • Consider anti-theft devices: Steering wheel locks, tire locks, or an automatic engine shut-off can deter thieves and make it harder to drive off with your car.
  • Install an immobilizer: A vehicle immobilizer will prevent the engine from starting without the proper key or code.
  • Block signals: Store your car key fob in a Faraday bag or box to prevent relay attacks, where thieves amplify the signal to unlock and start your car remotely.
  • Use a GPS tracking system: Install a GPS tracking device to help track and recover your vehicle if stolen.

By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can greatly reduce the chances of your car being stolen.

If your vehicle is stolen, report it to Hamilton Police via the non-emergency line at 905-546-4925. Have the following vehicle information ready:

  • Make, model, year, and colour of the vehicle
  • Plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and insurance company and policy number
  • List of contents stolen from the vehicle
  • List of any identifying features, such as dents, scratches, or markings.

If you notice any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, contact your area Crime Manager. Alternatively, you can call the Hamilton Police non-emergency line at 905-546-4925. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 905-522-8477.

More information:

Warm-up thefts: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonPolice/videos/1144747043866722

Protecting yourself and your property: https://hamiltonpolice.on.ca/prevention/protecting-yourself-and-your-property

City of Hamilton launches Toys for Tickets pilot program to spread holiday cheer

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The City of Hamilton is excited to introduce Toys for Tickets, a new
pilot program that gives residents a chance to settle parking fines with toy donations this
holiday season. Anyone with a City-issued parking ticket payable from December 2 to 6,
2024, can resolve it by donating a new, unwrapped toy of equal or great value.
All donations will go directly to the United Way Halton and Hamilton – the City’s charity
of choice for over 50 years – to support local families and bring holiday cheer to children
in need.
“The Toys for Tickets program is an inspiring example of Hamiltonians coming together
to make a positive impact,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “This initiative not only provides
a unique way to settle parking fines but also directly supports families and children in our
community, bringing a little extra joy to their holiday season.”
“As an organization, the City is committed to finding new and creative ways to give back
to our community,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “Through the Toys for Tickets
program, residents can resolve a parking ticket while helping to make the holidays
brighter for children in need.”
Program Details:

  • Toys must be new, unwrapped, and in their original packaging.
  • A receipt confirming the toy’s value must accompany each donation.
  • Donations will be accepted in person at the Hamilton Municipal Parking System
    Office, 80 Main Street West (at Summers Lane) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from
    December 2 to 6, 2024 only.

Only City of Hamilton-issued parking tickets are eligible for this program. Other types of
fines (such as speeding or red-light camera violations) are not eligible

Click here for more information.

Residents are encouraged to get involved in the City’s 2025 budget process

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The City of Hamilton’s budget serves as a roadmap, outlining
priorities that help shape the future of our community. Each year, Council determines
how funding will be allocated across city services, programs, and infrastructure to
ensure the City can continue delivering over 70 programs and services to residents,
while balancing affordability and competitiveness in tax rates. Members of the public are
encouraged to have their voices heard over the coming months by providing their
perspectives on this year’s City budget.

First Public Delegation Opportunity

The first public delegation opportunity will take place on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Budget General Issues Committee (GIC) meeting, where members of the public can speak to Council on priorities in advance of the staff presentation of the preliminary 2025 Water and Tax budgets. Delegates will be heard in the order their requests are received, with a limit of five (5) minutes per presentation.

  • Applications to speak virtually, in person, or provide a written delegation for the November 18, 2024, GIC meeting are due by 12 noon on November 15, 2024.
  • Applications for video delegations are due by 12 noon on November 14, 2024.


Delegation requests should be sent to clerk@hamilton.ca or submitted via the Submit Request to Speak form on the City’s website.


Second Public Delegation Opportunity

The second delegation opportunity for the 2025 budget process will be held at the January 20, 2025, Budget GIC meeting, before presentations from City departments, boards, and agencies. This meeting will focus specifically on the Tax-supported budget. Delegates will be heard in the order they are received, with a five (5) minute presentation limit.

  • Applications to speak virtually, in person, or provide a written delegation for the January 20, 2025, GIC meeting are due by 12 noon on January 17, 2025.
  • Applications for video delegations are due by 12 noon on January 16, 2025.


Delegation requests can be sent to clerk@hamilton.ca or completed through the Submit Request to Speak form on the City website.

“The City’s budget is a plan for Hamilton’s future. By participating in the budget process, residents can help guide investments that make a real difference in our neighbourhoods, from safe streets to reliable services,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “I invite everyone to make their voices heard through delegations or our new online tool when it’s available to ensure the 2025 budget reflects our community’s values and vision.”

Hamilton Council is scheduled to approve the 2025 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget at a Council meeting on December 11, 2024, and the 2025 Tax Budget at a Council meeting on February 12, 2025.

In planning for 2024 to 2027, the City’s budget plans will be shaped by Council Priorities for 2022 to 2026 – Sustainable Economic and Ecological Development, Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods, and Responsiveness and Transparency, as well as the 2025 Budget Mayoral Directive.

While the February 25, 2024 cybersecurity incident has created some challenges and delays, the public can still be assured that a comprehensive, data-driven budget will come forward for approval, consistent with previous years.

Budget presentations, staff recommendations, public delegations and community feedback will inform all City Council decisions around the budget. The City is also planning to launch a new online budget simulation tool this month, allowing residents to consider different service and funding options, which can inform future budget discussions.

Members of the public interested in the City’s 2025 budget process can monitor the City’s website for budget-focused GIC meetings, which will be streamed on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube channel.

For more information, visit hamilton.ca/budget.

City launches new Hamilton Fire Department Incidents Dashboard

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The City of Hamilton has launched a new Hamilton Fire Department Incidents Dashboard, providing residents with timely information on active incidents that the Fire Department is responding to across the city.

This secure, modernized platform for public safety information replaces the Hamilton Fire Department’s @HFD_Incidents feed on X (Formerly Twitter), a shift made necessary by the February 25, 2024, cybersecurity incident. As part of its enterprise strategy, the City is moving from using X for updates to more efficient and customizable dashboards to enhance public safety information.

“The new Hamilton Fire Department Incidents Dashboard underscores our commitment to enhancing public safety and transparency for Hamiltonians,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “By leveraging technology to modernize our services, Hamilton is leading the way in using innovation to improve the quality of life for our community.”

Updated every five minutes, the dashboard provides timely information about incident types, dispatched units, and general locations, with privacy safeguards in place, such as anonymized address information and exclusion of vulnerable locations. Once a response has been completed, the incident is removed from the dashboard.

“The launch of this Dashboard marks a key step in our efforts to build back stronger and better after the February cybersecurity incident,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “Not only does it replace a crucial tool, but it also enhances it, meeting high standards for security, transparency, and public engagement. This initiative is part of the City’s broader commitment to strengthen systems, innovate, and better serve the community.”

“The Hamilton Fire Department Incidents Dashboard demonstrates our commitment to timely and transparent communication with residents,” said Fire Chief David Cunliffe. “It’s a powerful tool supporting the service delivery provided by the Hamilton Fire Department.”

The Hamilton Fire Department Incidents Dashboard is now live and accessible via the City’s website at hamilton.ca/HFDIncidentsDashboard. It provides critical information to residents while maintaining the necessary safeguards around privacy and security. It also aligns with the City’s Digital Strategy to improve public access to information, streamline operations, and ensure data accuracy and privacy.

For more information, visit hamilton.ca/HFDIncidentsDashboard.

Additional Resources: