Media Release – Drop-in Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Clinics

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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

Brad Clark to continue as Chair of Hamilton Conservation Authority

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At its Annual General Meeting on February 6, the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Board of Directors reaffirmed Councillor Brad Clark as Chair. Susan Fielding was also reacclaimed as Vice Chair.

The HCA Board comprises of 11 members appointed by municipalities within the HCA watershed. This includes ten representatives from the City of Hamilton—seven elected officials and three citizen appointments—and one representative from the Township of Puslinch.

Councillor Clark has been a dedicated member of the HCA Board of Directors, serving from 2007 to 2014 and returning in 2019. He has held the role of Chair since August 2023. In addition to his work with the HCA, Clark has served on Hamilton City Council for 16 years and is the current Ward 9 Councillor. His experience also includes serving as the MPP for the Stoney Creek riding from 1999 to 2003, during which time he was appointed Ontario’s Minister of Transportation and Minister of Labour.

After his reelection, Councillor Brad Clark addressed the board and staff, expressing his gratitude and pride in their collective work: “I want to thank everyone for their support. I take great pride in our work at the Hamilton Conservation Authority—our board, our staff, and our collective accomplishments. Through my work with the Conservation Ontario board, I’ve seen firsthand how highly regarded our organization is across the province. We have an exceptional organization, and I’m proud of what we continue to achieve together.”

Susan Fielding, a citizen board member from the Township of Puslinch, continues in her role as Vice Chair, a position she previously held in 2018. She has been on the Board of Directors since 2016 and served on the Conservation Advisory Board from 2016 to 2019. As Vice Chair, Fielding also chairs the Budget & Administration Committee. Alongside Clark and Fielding, Councillor Alex Wilson and Lisa DiCesare were confirmed as committee members.

Following her reelection as Vice Chair, Susan Fielding expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for continuing her work with the team: “I’m thrilled to be re-elected and to continue working alongside Brad and our dedicated team. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s support. We have a fantastic group here, and it’s a pleasure to collaborate with such committed members.”

Councillor Craig Cassar and citizen member Wayne Terryberry were appointed to the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB). Terryberry, currently the Coordinator of Natural Lands and Outdoor Recreation at McMaster University, was re-elected as Chair of the committee. He had previously served two terms on CAB from June 2015 to June 2023 and held the position of Vice Chair from 2019 until the end of his term.

https://www.flamboroughtoday.com/local-news/brad-clark-to-continue-as-chair-of-hamilton-conservation-authority-10248076

Snow Forecast

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Wednesday, February 12 & Thursday February 13

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Heads Up: Snow is heading our way! ❄️

Get ready for a winter blast! The City of Hamilton is expecting some snow. Winds are strong coming from North East; across the lake. Rapid accumulation to start between 5:00-7:00PM. This will likely last today and tomorrow, with snowfall totals expected to reach up to 15-20 centimeters in some areas.

Make sure to prepare by stocking up on essentials, ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready, and keeping an eye on weather updates. Stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel once the snow starts accumulating.

Click here for more information and updates. This will take you to the City of Hamilton’s webpage where you will find tips for snow removal and the Hamilton plow tracker. You will be able to see the progress of our winter maintenance vehicles over the last 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours

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). 

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