Ward 3 Community Update - October 14
Dear Neighbours,
I’ve been feeling grateful for the crisper, cooler and sunny days we have enjoyed so far in October as I step outside between Council work, virtual meetings, and connecting with residents right here in #OurWard3.
I have been reflecting on the balance between progress and care, how we plan, build, and respond as a city while ensuring compassion and community remain at the centre of everything we do.
At Council and Committee this month, we advanced important work to make our streets safer and our housing system more humane. We’ve heard loud and clear from across the city, neighbours want to see Automated Speed Enforcement expanded not banned! ASE cameras are a life-saving investment in road safety proven to change driver behaviour. It is a tool rooted in data, evidence, and our shared responsibility to protect one another, especially our most vulnerable road users.
At the same time, discussions around the City’s Coordinated Encampment Response remind us that enforcement cannot solve a humanitarian crisis. Every life lost to homelessness is one too many. We must keep pushing for housing, health care, and supports that uphold dignity and humanity. The recent groundbreaking at Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing, where 40 new supportive homes are now under construction, shows what’s possible when multiple levels of government work with community to deliver real solutions.
Here in Ward 3, collaboration and good relations continue to shape our neighbourhoods for the better. From celebrating community leadership through the renaming of Birch Avenue Park to the Brenda Duke Greenspace, to designing the next chapter of Bishop’s Park, residents’ voices are helping build a Ward 3 that’s more connected, caring, and resilient.
In this e-newsletter you’ll also read about what’s going on to bring us together: City’s Fall Mum Show, Barton Village BIA’s Tasty Tuesday, and many more family-friendly events happening across the ward. These gatherings remind us of what makes Ward 3 special and why we love Hamilton! I hope to see you there and that you enjoy the events with friends and family.
As always, if you need assistance on a municipal or city service issue, please contact my office at ward3@hamilton.ca or by phone at 905-546-2702.
Thank you for continuing to show up for one another in advocacy, in celebration, and in kindness. Together, we’re building a Hamilton where everyone can belong and thrive.
Yours in community,
Nrinder Nann
EXPANDING AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT
At the September 29th Public Works Committee, Council approved my motion to study how Hamilton can further expand its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program across the city in a manner that aligns with our goals of protecting the most vulnerable road users.
The motion directs staff to assess how the ASE program can provide enhanced and progressive city-wide coverage and to report back in Q2 of 2026 with options for consideration that include staffing, financial resources, and a full accounting of all costs incurred to date.
Annual collision data indicates that speeding and aggressive driving contribute to approximately 50 percent of reported collisions city-wide.
Automated Speed Enforcement is a proven tool in Hamilton’s Vision Zero strategy to assist with addressing speeding and aggressive driving. If a pedestrian is struck by a driver traveling at 30 km/h, they have a 90% chance of survival. At 50 km/h, survival drops to 20%, and at 60 km/h, it falls to zero. These cameras save lives by encouraging compliance with speed limits and improving safety for all road users.
In Hamilton, we also use:
Red Light Cameras
HPS enforcement
speed cushions on local and neighbourhood roads
digital speed signs
community safety zones,
and, roadway design
to address speeding and aggressive driving. As of the end of August 2025, the City’s ASE program has generated approximately 3500 speeding infractions utilizing 4 cameras. All of the revenue generated from the City’s Red light camera and Automated Speed Enforcement programs are reinvested into road safety initiatives under the Vision Zero Program, thereby enhancing safety for all road users while reducing the tax burden on law-abiding residents.
Local, regional, national and international research by third parties including:
Sick Kids Hospital
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
Toronto Metropolitan University
Canadian Automobile Association
Traffic Injury Research Foundation
The Ontario Traffic Council
all confirm that ASEs are effective at reducing speeding, changing driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone.
While the Premier of Ontario has indicated an interest in banning the use of ASE, Hamilton is taking a different approach. The City’s message is clear; if the Province refuses to partner with municipalities on road safety, Hamilton will send them the bill for reimbursement of all costs associated with implementing this life-saving program. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet ministers were caught by automated speed cameras 23 times over three years, including one instance where the car was driving at 70 km/h in a 40 zone.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Ontario Caucus and Big City Mayors Caucus are all providing direct feedback to the Province of Ontario to reconsider banning this effective, evidence-based tool to help keep our neighbourhoods safe and work directly with municipalities to improve and standardize the ASE program.
Given the overwhelming feedback being delivered to the Minister of Transportation and the Premier from residents across Ontario and the bodies I just mentioned above, there may very well be an opportunity to find a path forward to keep automated speed cameras in operation in a manner that protects public safety for children in school zones and community safety zones by municipal parks that have playgrounds, seniors at long term care facilities/retirement homes.
Road safety must be guided by evidence, facts, and lived experience, not fear or those angry about paying fines for being caught speeding in school zones!
In Hamilton, we remain committed to using every effective measure available to keep residents safe, especially children, seniors, and other vulnerable road users.
COORDINATED ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE POST PROTOCOL
At the October 1st General Issues Committee, Council received the Coordinated Encampment Response Post-Protocol Interim Report, which outlined enforcement, cleanup, and resource costs associated with managing encampments since the rescission of the Encampment Protocol.
While the report seeks approval for additional resources, including ongoing costs for six Hamilton Police Service (HPS) Constables at an estimated cost of $525,000 funded through the Tax Stabilization Reserve. I want to be clear: this report is about enforcing a parks by-law. It is not a solution to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in our community.
Since the Protocol’s rescission, staff have cleared 898 encampments and responded to over 3,000 complaints, with 400 sites brought into compliance. Policing costs continue to rise, pulling officers from frontline duties and requiring backfill at 1.5 times the regular cost. Meanwhile, our housing and health systems remain stretched far beyond capacity.
We are facing a crisis of inadequate health services and a crisis of affordable, dignified housing. Enforcement alone cannot and will not solve these systemic failures.
This reality was heartbreakingly evident just days ago at Powell Park, where a man alleged to be unhoused passed away near the playground as neighbours gathered for a community cleanup. I’m deeply grateful to our Paramedic Services and Hamilton Police Service members who responded and investigated. Yet, even in the presence of active park last by-law enforcement, this tragedy occurred, and is a stark reminder that we need comprehensive care services.
There is hope, however, in the work happening across Hamilton to build permanent, supportive housing. On September 29, I joined Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing for the groundbreaking of 40 new supportive housing units. This project represents a collaboration between the City, the federal government, and the province through the flow of federal funds with units expected to open by December 2026.
But capital funding is only half the solution. We continue to await confirmation from the Ministry of Health for the operational dollars needed to fund the supportive services that make housing successful.
I will continue to focus on delivering housing solutions and continue to advocate for a coordinated, compassionate system that connects people to housing, health care, and hope.
TEMPORARY HSR DETOURS AT MAIN ST. E & OTTAWA ST FOR LRT WORKS
As part of early works for the Hamilton LRT project, the intersection of Main Street and Ottawa Street will be fully closed to traffic during HSR’s Winter 2026 schedule to allow for critical construction activities.
This closure will temporarily affect several major transit routes, including the 1 King, 10 B-Line, and 41 Mohawk, which together represent about a quarter of all weekday HSR ridership. Recognizing how significant these routes are to residents in Ward 3 and across the east end, staff from Transit and the LRT Office have been working closely with my office and the Ward 4 Councillor to plan detours that balance access, safety, and community impact.
After on-site visits and a virtual meeting with members of the Delta West Neighbourhood Association, both Councillors, and City staff, a preferred eastbound detour was identified for the 1 King route via King – Ottawa – Maple – Edgemont. This route reflects community feedback and ensures that existing bus stops remain accessible while also maintaining necessary traffic calming along Maple and other local streets.
HSR drivers are professionally trained to operate safely in residential areas, and additional mitigation measures will be introduced to further reduce speeds and maintain neighbourhood safety during the detour period. Staff will also be monitoring the detour closely and making adjustments as needed based on real-time feedback from operators and residents.
As the Winter 2026 service changes roll out, HSR’s Customer Experience and Innovation (CX&I) team will be on the ground sharing information, answering questions, and helping riders navigate temporary route changes.
Residents can share feedback or concerns directly with HSR by calling 905-528-4200, emailing hsrserve@hamilton.ca, or visiting Hamilton GO Centre in person.
This coordination between community members, City staff, Councillor Hwang’s office, myself and the Ward 3 team reflects how we can deliver major city-building projects like the LRT while staying responsive to the daily needs of residents.
BUDGET INN
In response to resident concerns around the Budget Inn, our office reached out to the new owner who took over operations four months ago to share concerns around some of the activity observed on site.
They fully acknowledge that the Budget Inn has not had a good history in the city and look forward to being agents of change. They have expressed a commitment to working diligently to address and mitigate what they view as “anti-social behaviour”, criminal activity, and other issues of concerns that neighbours have expressed.
Below is an overview of the actions they have already taken and additional steps that are currently in progress:
Actions taken over the past 4 months:
Tenant Management: Currently, there are now 10 longer-term tenants remaining who meet the motel’s new criteria.
Upgraded Security Systems: A high-tech security entry system has been installed to restrict access exclusively to registered guests. The system automatically locks all entry points after 10:00 p.m.
Improved Lighting & Surveillance: Additional lighting has been added in the parking areas, and new CCTV cameras now provide full coverage of the property.
Modernized Check-In System: They have transitioned to an online check-in process and upgraded their guest database, allowing them to deny rooms to individuals with a history of disruptive or illegal activity on site previously.
Incident Tracking: Maintain a detailed log of all police or 911 calls to monitor trends and share relevant information with local authorities when required.
Secured Property Access Points: The alleyway doors and rear gates have been reinforced to prevent loitering and drug use.
Ongoing and upcoming improvements to anticipate:
They are in the process of fencing off the rear section of the property to deter unauthorized access and drug consumption.
They continue to collaborate with local enforcement and city officials to ensure all safety measures remain effective and responsive to community concerns.
During the meeting, the owners of Budget Inn expressed that their highest priority is to “create a safe, secure, and respectful environment for our guests and neighbours”. Their ultimate plan is to redevelop the site into a multi-family, residential project.
If residents notice any issues or have immediate concerns, they can contact the Budget Inn on-site manager, Sam at budgetinn0605@gmail.com or call (905) 527-2708. They welcome ongoing feedback and collaboration to ensure the continued improvement of this property and the surrounding community.
Thank you to the neighbours who have worked with my office over the past year to document concerns stemming from this property. I was able to have a very productive discussion with the new owners as a result who expressed their appreciation to Ward 3 residents for their patience and understanding as they assumed ownership. It is this type of positive collaboration, focused on solutions that fosters the type of neighbourhoods and community we all deserve.
FIRES IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
Following the evening fire that occurred on Monday, October 6th at Tire Buddy (135 Princess St.), my office heard from many residents expressing concern about the incident and the safety of neighbouring homes and businesses.
According to Fire Chief Rember, the fire involved debris and combustible waste materials such as construction materials, scrap metal, and wood. While these are considered standard combustible items, the Hamilton Fire Department has confirmed that the event should not be cause for undue concern.
It’s important to note that on September 3rd, the Fire Prevention Division issued several compliance orders against the business operator for fire code contraventions, including:
Absence of available portable fire extinguishers
Inadequate signage
Lack of water barrels
Combustible piles improperly located and exceeding permissible dimensions
Incidents like this underscore a broader and ongoing issue in Hamilton’s older industrial areas, such as the proximity of residential homes to industrial operations that are not always well maintained or properly regulated. These fires are not only disruptive but frightening for neighbours who may not know what’s burning, how to respond, or whether they’re at risk.
My office continues to advocate for stronger oversight and accountability for industrial operators, particularly those located close to residential streets. Residents deserve peace of mind knowing that businesses in their neighbourhoods are meeting safety standards and that swift action is taken when they are not.
RENAMING BIRCH AVE PARK TO BRENDA DUKE GREENSPACE
At Facility Naming Sub-Committee last week, I was proud to put forward a motion to officially rename Birch Avenue Park to The Brenda Duke Greenspace, in recognition of Brenda’s nearly two decades of community leadership in the Gibson and Lansdale neighbourhoods.
Brenda Duke has been a tenacious force behind community clean-ups, beautification efforts, and the creation of public spaces in Ward 3. Through her work with Beautiful Alleys and her leadership in organizing countless park events, Brenda has helped bring neighbours together and inspired others to take pride in their surroundings.
Her dedication was instrumental in the creation and ongoing care of Birch Avenue Park, and transforming it into a vibrant gathering place in a part of our city where greenspace is limited. This renaming acknowledges Brenda’s extraordinary contributions and ensures her legacy of stewardship, volunteerism, and love for community will live on.
“Birch Avenue Park” was originally named simply for its location. Now it will carry a name that reflects the heart and effort that built it: The Brenda Duke Greenspace.
Thank you to the Barton Village BIA and GALA community members who worked with my office to bring this forward, and to Brenda for her unwavering commitment to beautifying Ward 3. I look forward to celebrating this well-earned recognition with neighbours when the new sign is unveiled.
The name change will be officially ratified at the next meeting of Council.
BISHOP’S PARK RENEWAL
We are excited to share that Bishop’s Park, located at 91 East Avenue South, is scheduled for important upgrades to improve the park’s usability, comfort, and appearance for all community members.
Bishop’s Park is a valued green space in the Stinson Neighbourhood. Surrounded by mature canopy trees and situated at the corner of East Avenue South and Hunter Street East, the park provides a calm oasis within the heart of Ward 3. However, many of the existing amenities are reaching the end of their life cycle and are in need of renewal.
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing our public spaces, we are pleased to announce the following planned upgrades:
A new asphalt pathway to maintain safe and accessible pedestrian connections
Upgraded bench seating beneath the shade trees for improved comfort
Installation of a drinking fountain for park users
Attractive entrance feature planting to beautify the space
Replacement of the ornamental metal fence for safety and aesthetics
Relocation of existing light fixtures to better illuminate key areas
In addition to these core improvements, we are exploring additional amenities to be included in the upgrade. These will be determined based on site analysis, and your input through an upcoming community survey.
A more up-to-date timeline is as follows:
October 2025 – We're currently finalizing the materials for the public engagement component of the project, which includes our Engage Hamilton platform. Public feedback will be analyzed and detailed design will commence.
November 2025 to March 2026 – Detailed Design
April 2026 – Tender
June 2026 – Construction
We value your voice in shaping the future of Bishop’s Park. Please stay tuned for more information on how to participate in the survey and contribute your ideas. Please visit the Project Webpage for more information and project updates: https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/parks-green-space/creating-improving-parks/park-projects/bishops-park
Thank you for your continued support in helping make our parks more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
UNDER THE SEA FALL MUM SHOW
Fall in Hamilton means it’s time for the Hamilton Fall Garden & Mum Show!
Since 1920, this annual tradition has brought colour, creativity, and community together through Ontario’s largest and longest-running chrysanthemum exhibition, proudly presented by the City of Hamilton’s Horticulture staff.
This year’s theme, “Under the Sea,” invites visitors to step into a vibrant underwater world crafted from over 100,000 blooms and 200 varieties of chrysanthemums grown right here on-site. From floral coral reefs to blooming sea creatures, the Gage Park Greenhouse has been transformed into a breathtaking display of imagination and artistry.
Bring the whole family and enjoy:
Weekend children’s activities and educational experiences
A cozy café for a warm drink while you take in the beauty
The Flower Market, where you can build your own bouquet or bring home a piece of the show
Whether you’ve attended for years or are planning your first visit, the Mum Show is a cherished Hamilton tradition that truly showcases the talent and creativity of our community.
Location: Gage Park Greenhouse
Dates: October 18-26, 9am-7pm
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK REMINDERS
Last week was Fire Prevention Week, with this year’s theme being, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”, focusing on the safe use of battery-powered devices.
Lithium-ion batteries power many of our everyday tools and gadgets, from phones and laptops to e-bikes and scooters. While they’re efficient, they can also pose serious fire risks if not used or disposed of properly.
The Hamilton Fire Department is reminding residents to:
Buy smart: look for safety certifications like UL, ETL, or CSA.
Charge safely: always on a hard, flat surface away from flammable materials.
Recycle responsibly: never toss batteries in the garbage; find drop-off sites at recycleyourbatteries.ca.
Residents are also reminded to test smoke alarms monthly and practice home escape plans regularly.
Fire Prevention Week is a time to reflect on safety at home and take small steps that make a big difference. By using certified devices, charging carefully, and recycling properly, we can all help keep our families and neighbours safe.
CHILDREN’S GARDEN PROJECT: GARDEN BEDTIME BASH, OCT 18
We’re closing out the 2025 garden season with something brand new: our first-ever Garden Bedtime Bash! 🛏️💤
Join us on Saturday, October 18th from 10am - 12pm in our Gage Park garden to help “tuck the garden in” for the winter!
Don’t miss out on…
🌼 Harvesting the last flowers, veggies, and seeds of the season
🎃 Turning little pumpkins into big works of art with a hands-on craft
✂️ Learning the “chop and drop” method and helping to cut back the garden beds
🧄 Planting garlic and spring bulbs to surprise us with the first blooms of spring
🍂 Collecting leaves and spreading compost to feed and protect the soil
…and much more! 🛏️✨
Please visit garden-bedtime-bash.eventbrite.ca to RSVP for free. We hope to see you in the garden!
🌸 Let’s keep growing!
BARTON VILLAGE TASTY TUESDAY, OCT 21
Got lunch plans?
Join us for Tasty Tuesday on October 21st | 11–2PM 🎉
🎶 Live DJ
🌮Food Trucks
☕ Coffee & good vibes
📍643 Barton St. E (lot at Barton & Earl)
Save the date! More details coming soon!
ST. CLAIR LANEWAYS FALL CLEAN-UP, OCT 25
A cherished neighbourhood tradition continues! Join the St. Clair Laneways group on Friday, October 25 for their annual Fall Community Clean-Up! It’s a great way to come together, care for our shared spaces, and celebrate community pride in Ward 3.
You can join in on the fun at Lifesavers Park at 10am where the group will be distributing clean-up supplies. You’ll also be able to enjoy some coffee and treats before heading out to tidy up the laneways and surrounding areas.
When: Friday, October 25 at 10am
Where: Lifesavers Park
Let’s keep this great Ward 3 tradition going strong!
OTTAWA ST. BIA HALLOWEEN HAUNT, OCT 25
🎃 Get ready for a spooktacular time on Ottawa Street! 👻
Join us Saturday, October 25th from 10am - 1pm at the East Kiwanis Parkette (236 Ottawa Street North) for our Halloween Haunt!
🕷 From 10am - 12pm, enjoy free family fun at our spooky parkette — including face painting, crafts, games, and Halloween activities surrounded by festive decorations.
🎭 Then at 12pm, don’t miss our Costume Parade! Show off your best costume and freshly painted face as we stroll down Ottawa Street North, stopping to trick-or-treat at select local businesses!
🍬 It’s a free, frightfully fun morning you won’t want to miss. Learn more at www.shopottawastreet.com!
If you have events or volunteer opportunities you would like the Ward 3 office to get the word out on, please email ward3@hamilton.ca.
Do you have any photos you are proud of from across the ward?
Share your favourite #OurWard3 photos with me by either sending them to ward3@hamilton.ca or by using the hashtag #OurWard3 on social media!
