It has been my honour to serve as your Ward 3 City Councillor since 2018. I have worked hard to earn your trust, lead with compassion, and am proud to have delivered results to improve the quality of life in every neighbourhood in Ward 3, while also tackling complex issues citywide. My office has resolved over 4,500 resident case files, responded to thousands of emails and calls a year, hosted 70 virtual sessions with over 58,000 views during the pandemic, 12 pop-up offices in different locations across the ward to serve residents in-person, and over 35 community meetings. I also delivered an annual Community Impact Report to every mailbox in Ward 3. For a detailed review visit OurWard3.ca/Achievements. Based on priorities I have heard from our neighbours, here is my plan for the next 4 years as your Councillor.
Safer Streets Now and Always
- Invest in the 128+ safety traffic measures identified in the Ward 3 Complete Streets review.
- Ensure the two-way Main St conversion is successfully completed delivering safer, more liveable neighbourhoods we all deserve.
- Fix the roads by allocating funds annually starting with Wilson and Barton.
Affordable & Dignified Housing
Hamilton has become one of the most expensive cities to rent and buy in North America. Cities have no option but to be at the forefront with solutions to foster belonging instead of displacement. I will:
- Direct the annual projected revenue of $3.3M from the new Vacant Homes Tax and the proceeds from the sale of surplus city lands to invest exclusively in delivering new affordable homes with wrap around supports.
- Set a bold 30% target of Inclusionary Zoning along the LRT corridor to ensure a mix of truly affordable housing in every private development project near the station stops.
- Expand rental licensing across the city and ensure the new suite of anti-renoviction by-laws are enforced.
- Protect tenants facing dangerous heat levels in their homes by adding new by-law to ensure units are cooled.
Increase Civic Pride
- Establish an integrated 311 city service system that responds to resident inquires received by phone, email, social media and a mobile reporting app for by-law infractions.
- Expand the Ward 3 Waste & Recycling Receptacles Pilot beyond Ottawa Street and Barton Village to reduce the waste strewn about in our alleys, sidewalks, railways, and other public spaces in Ward 3.
- Continue to invest in depave projects that enhance biodiversity while also beautifying City-owned right-of-ways, boulevards and medians.
Great Transit City-Wide
- End Area-Rated for transit to expand public transit access across the city and finish the BLAST network.
- Transform the DARTS program to ensure excellence in service that centres its users’ needs.
- Ensure Ward 3 businesses and residents have clear and timely information and input on the LRT construction phases and maximize community benefits along the corridor.
- Expand connectivity of our cycling infrastructure to enable more people to get to where they need to go using a bike.
Investing in Our Infrastructure
- A strategic investment plan to address the multi-billion dollar backlog of maintenance in all infrastructure based on a robust asset management framework.
- Ensure Powell Park reconstruction and new Brightside Park deliver excellence in design and recreation, while continuing to replace playground structure and splash pad that reach end of life across Ward 3 parks.
- Ensure a climate lens is applied to all infrastructure projects and integrate a community benefits protocol for large capital works that secure local jobs.
Healthy Communities
- Expand on the 7 new drinking water fountains I had installed in Ward 3 so that there is one in each park.
- Transform the industrial area by pushing for climate excellence, including in the development of the former Stelco lands with public access to the waterfront and improved air quality for surrounding areas.
- Put in place a procedure to protect mature trees in development projects and set an annual target for tree planting in Ward 3 to meet the 30% Urban Canopy coverage goal.
Hamilton is at a turning point and the choices we make over the next four years will impact generations to come. I hope to count on your support and have the honour of continuing to serve as your Ward 3 City Councillor for another term.
