Ward 3 Update

Hello Neighbours! After spending 2014 talking with residents of Ward 3 about priority issues, we have spent 2015 tackling them, both on the ground and from a policy perspective, to create sustainable change. This is not work that I have done alone; it has been a joint effort that involves a dedicated team, many capable municipal departments, informed residents supporting research and policy efforts, and engaged citizenry, namely you, my neighbours. Every time we decide that something is important and work together, we have the opportunity to create positive change, and on many fronts we have been successful over the last year. Often, it starts with awareness, all of us making each other aware of the importance and impact of a given issue, like carding, which so many of us shrugged our shoulders about only to learn the devastating impact that this has on the lives of individuals – very specific individuals. Thanks to the efforts of everyone, we were able to communicate the consequences of this practice and contribute to the banning of this carding among police forces province-wide. Working with resident-led safety teams, we supported a gun amnesty program that takes guns off the streets and out of the hands of our neighbours. These and other measures help contribute to a safer community for all of us, and I encourage those of you who are involved to continue with your efforts.

As a start, we have created 10 new affordable housing opportunities in Ward 3. Keeping in mind that we all need housing first before we can move on to other forms of prosperity, we have initiated a feasibility study – the first step towards inclusionary zoning which would mandate a percentage of affordability with every new development. This would help to create more affordable housing and foster the mixed economic density that we know to be part of a vibrant community. In addition, a rental housing registry would mitigate the neglect and abuse by absentee landlords, contributing towards safe, comfortable housing for all of us, regardless of income. Together, we stood beside our most vulnerable members in the opposition of predatory lending, and promoted small business as the backbone of our community.

We have worked together to improve our parks and alleyways, including the expansion of the Gage Park Greenhouse with improved public amenities, and bike lanes on Gage Ave, connecting Gage Park to the Cannon bike lanes and the Stadium. We have championed public transit and LRT, allocated $250,000 to sidewalk repairs and minor road improvements, and targeted parks and schools for traffic-calming and safety measures such as crossing and speed reduction. With your initiative and support, Hamilton became the first city in Ontario to pass the Blue Dot Motion, bringing environment to the forefront of decision-making. We have championed community access to Tim Horton’s Field and opposed the building of a toxic waste incinerator on our waterfront. All of this will make it safer for our children, and easier and more enjoyable for us to move about and connect as a community.

It is my pleasure to have served as your voice at Council for this past year. While the level of civic engagement in Ward 3 is staggering, I am aware that the majority of my neighbours do not vote, or otherwise participate in the democratic process, perhaps feeling that government is unresponsive. Through my website I have endeavoured to create an “open government” space, while at the same time championing for electoral reform and the rights of citizens to access meetings through online channels such as The Public Record.

I value each and every contribution to these efforts and am genuinely moved by the caring and compassion to be found in my neighbours. Thank you for helping to make Ward 3 a safe, vibrant and connected community with opportunities for all.

Your friend and neighbour, Matthew Green