Hamilton hasn’t always had a progressive city council. Far from it. But since the 2022 municipal election, we’ve been lucky to have had a progressive majority that has implemented a number of policies that have either brought about positive change or signalled a welcome new direction.
A few examples include creating the Office of Climate Change Initiatives (OCCI) and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), accelerating implementation of the Cycling Masterplan from 30 years to five, approving Green Development Standards (subsequently stymied by the Ford government), passing Anti-renoviction and Safe Apartment bylaws, as well as a Vacant Unit Tax with revenue going towards affordable housing.
However, there’s a distinct possibility that a concerted campaign by right-wing activists targeting what they think are vulnerable progressive councillors could return us to a darker place after the municipal elections this October.
There will be a number of battles to fight between now and October 2026. To make it easier to send your messages in support of—or in opposition to—such issues, we’re providing a list of councillors and their contact information.
Latest on the Climate Change Reserve (CCR) budget
On Thursday, Feb 12, the evening before the debate in Council, Cllr Mike Spadafora submitted item 9.7 to the General Issues Committee (Budget) scheduled for the following day. This motion called for the Climate Change Reserve (CCR) budget for Hamilton to be deferred to 2027.
The CCR was established in 2018 in order to fund initiatives that advance the City’s approved climate change goals. It is administered by the Office of Climate Change Initiatives (OCCI).
The amount in question was $2.5 million, which corresponds to a saving of $9.72 (a couple of cups of coffee) on taxpayer bills for 2026. If it had passed, it would have severely hampered the OCCI’s ability to implement climate initiatives in our city in 2026 and restricted its ability to apply for funding from outside sources as funding applications must demonstrate that there is already some funding in place.
So what happened?
Success! After over 150 emails sent to City Hall from Hamiltonians, the majority of Council (9 to 6) voted NO to preserve the OCCI funding in 2026!
- YES (defer funding): Cllrs Francis (Ward 5), Jackson (Ward 6), Cooper (Ward 8), Clark (Ward 9), Beattie (Ward 10), and Spadafora (Ward 14).
- NO (maintain funding): Cllrs M. Wilson (Ward 1), Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nann (Ward 3), Hwang (Ward 4), Tadeson (Ward 11), Cassar (Ward 12), A. Wilson (Ward 13), McMeekin (Ward 14), and Mayor Horwath.
(Cllr Pauls was absent for the vote.)
It’s worth noting that while Hamilton has over 125 Reserve Fund Accounts, right-wing Councillors seem to single out the Climate Reserve Fund year after year. One might expect this sort of climate change denial from the Trump administration, but here in Hamilton?
Debate highlights (4:01m)
Listen to what else councillors have said
Cllr. Mike Spadadfora on OCCI staffing levels and OCCI reserve funds.
Cllr. Rob Cooper on OCCI (rebuke by Chair Maureen Wilson at 11:07) and cycling (reply by the Mayor and staff at 11:10).
Cllr. Esther Pauls on OCCI and cycling, plus cyclists should just take the bus or walk (yes, really!) and an inaccurate $81 million claim rebuked at 11:58).
Cllr. Tom Jackson on cycling.
What’s next?
Incredibly, both Spadafora, who submitted the motion, and Francis, who seconded it, are both on the board of the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA). This is a stunning conflict of interest and we call for them both to be summarily removed from the HCA board. This would be no great loss as of the 12 HCA board meetings held in 2025, Spadafora attended only three and Francis only five. One might ask what they were doing on the board in the first place.
Other councillors who voted for the motion and who also sit on the HCA board are Cllrs Brad Clark (Board Chair) and Jeff Beattie.
How to Contact Council
Click here to send an email to the Mayor, copying all Councillors and the City Clerk. (Outlook users only: click here.)
Or email / phone any of the following individuals (see tip 3):
| Mayor | Andrea Horwath | 905.546.4200 |
| Ward 1 | Maureen Wilson | 905.546.2416 |
| Ward 2 | Cameron Kroetsch | 905.546.2197 |
| Ward 3 | Nrinder Nann | 905.546.2702 |
| Ward 4 | Tammy Hwang | 905.546.2113 |
| Ward 5 | Matt Francis | 905.546.2716 |
| Ward 6 | Tom Jackson | 905.546.2707 |
| Ward 7 | Esther Pauls | 905.546.2706 |
| Ward 8 | Rob Cooper | 905.521.3958 |
| Ward 9 | Brad Clark | 905.546.2703 |
| Ward 10 | Jeff Beattie | 905.546.2701 |
| Ward 11 | Mark Tadeson | 905.546.2110 |
| Ward 12 | Craig Cassar | 905.546.2704 |
| Ward 13 | Alex Wilson | 905.546.2714 |
| Ward 14 | Mike Spadafora | 905.546.2712 |
| Ward 15 | Ted McMeekin | 905.546.2713 |
Tips
Indicate the topic, committee (e.g., Planning Committee), and date of the meeting so your message is added to the appropriate agenda.
Identify your ward at the beginning of your message to catch your councillor’s attention. (Click here to find your ward.)
If you email an individual councillor about an agenda item, please also CC the City Clerk (clerk@hamilton.ca) to ensure that your message gets onto the meeting agenda.
