Top 5 Hamilton issues to watch for in 2024, according to city council

Wrapping up a year dominated by efforts to protectHamilton's greenbelt land, increase affordable housing and improvecity services, councillors are looking at a busy 2024.

To find out what willbe a priority in the months ahead, CBC Hamilton asked all 15 councillors and the mayor for thetop issue they'll be focused on.

"What a great way to start the New Year declaring one's number one priority," said Coun. Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).

Hamilton's elected officials delivered a wide range of answers that reflect the diversity of the city.These are the top five areas councillors say they'll be focusing on in 2024:

Housing

With the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment surpassing $1,800 a month in December, Coun. Maureen Wilson (Ward 1) and Mayor Andrea Horwath both said they're eager to do more to tackle the affordable housing crisis.

Building off the housing sustainability investment roadmap adopted by council in 2023, Wilson said she'll be "searching for and seizing all opportunities" to construct, acquire and preserve affordable housing.

The city has created a new housing secretariat division and Horwath said its focus will be to team up with nonprofit organizations, "unlock" federal and provincial money and run programs that directly impact the housing market.

Tenant rights is top of mind for Coun. Cameron Kroetsch in Ward 2, where he said 77 per cent of residents rent. He will be setting up a new community tenant council with the first meeting expected before the end of March, he said.

"It's important that I provide space and support to help tenants communicate their concerns and organize their buildings," Kroetsch said.

Infrastructure

Converting Main Street from a one-way to two-way street will be a focus for downtown Coun. Nrinder Nann (Ward 3).

She said she wants the city to transform the busy throughway into "a safe and thriving corridor that connects neighbours."

Many of her colleagues, including Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark (Ward 9) and Jeff Beattie (Ward 10), said improving public spaces will be a big focus for them, too.

Resurfacing roads, renewing parks and building sidewalks are all planned for Beattie's ward.

"So in short infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure," said Beattie.

Tammy Hwang (Ward 4) highlighted revitalizing the east end's Kenilworth Avenue, which has "so much potential" and will benefit from the future light rail transit (LRT) line.

"My hope is that we can find a way to support the small businesses that are currently on the street to help them build up while attracting new businesses to that street," Hwang said.

Cost of living

Some councillors said curbing overspending in the 2024 budget was their top priority.

Coun. Mike Spadafora (Ward 14) said council needs to make "tough decisions" to keep taxes as low as possible so residents can afford to pay their property taxes.

"As the cost of living continues to rise, we cannot continue to add to the budget all at once," he said. "We will need to pause, cancel, delay some items/projects and even look at a possible hiring freeze."

Coun. Matt Francis (Ward 5) echoed the need to avoid "high taxes due to spending."

Attracting new investments, economic opportunities and jobs to the city will be top of mind for both Coun. Tom Jackson (Ward 6) and John-Paul Danko (Ward 8), representing residents on the Mountain.

Jackson said adding commercial and manufacturing industries will grow Hamilton's tax base and ease the city's reliance on property taxes and residents.

Equity and accessibility

Coun. Esther Pauls (Ward 7) said ensuring people with disabilities can safely navigate the city will be her focus in 2024.

Pauls will continue to advocate for free bus fare for people who are blind or use a walker or wheelchair, as well as push for the city to create an accessibility office to remove barriers and raise awareness, she said.

"Despite some inroads that have been made to make our city more accessible, we still have quite a way to go," Pauls said.

In Glanbrook, Coun. Mark Tadeson (Ward 11) said he continually hears from residents unable to access city recreation programs due to a lack of programs, spaces and centres.

He'll be pushing the city to build a community centre in his ward in the coming years and in the short-term will be working to improve conditions at the local arena by connecting it to the city's sewer and water systems, he said.

Ward 15 also needs a recreation centre to serve the residents of Waterdown, Flamborough and Carlisle, said McMeekin. He envisions it will include a cultural centre for the community to gather.

"Building community is about collective sharing, caring and daring of its citizens," McMeekin said. "It is more difficult to see this happen when there are not appropriate meeting places."

Environment

Reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions will be a priority in 2024 for Ancaster Coun. Craig Cassar (Ward 12).

"We need to be bold and we need to move with great urgency," he said.

This plan will involve the Hamilton Region Decarbonization Hub run by the city in partnership withnon-profit organization The Transition Accelerator and, hopefully, federal funding, Cassar said.

The hub will be pushing local industry to reduce emissions, which currently represent over half of the city's total, he said. It will also lead to system-wide change to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation.

Dundas Coun. Alex Wilson (Ward 13) said they're most excited for the city's Biodiversity Action Plan, which will lead to more protection and restoration of natural areas and species.

The plan will also help "protect our communities from flooding, sequester carbon and ensure our city has parks and green spaces for all residents to enjoy for generations to come."