With Ward 4 Councillor Tammy Hwang

Enjoy our chat with Ward 4 Councillor Tammy Hwang. Thank-you Clr. Hwang for engaging Hamiltonians in The Hamiltonian! 

1. Your family has deep roots in Ward 4, and you've been recognized for your community service. How do you ensure that all voices, especially those from marginalized communities, are heard and acted upon?

To be honest, I'm still working on this and trying a variety of different ways to engage. I spend time connecting with different community groups within the ward and our ward office aims to respond back to every email/phone call/social media request in a timely manner. I try to work with each resident that requests a meeting to meet them at their location or a location of their choice in order to listen and understand their concerns. I am also privileged to be a part of many boards and committees that serve different populations both in the ward and across the city. Again, it's all a learning process for me and I also recognize that I'm not able to be everywhere all at once so I also encourage community to reach out to me and connect. So to answer your question, I am working on hearing as many voices as possible and listening to understand their concerns. I couple that with work/initiatives that I know about also happening in the city and try to make those connections to help solve some of the challenges that I have heard. There are also concerns and opportunities that take some time to work through so it's trying to find a plan and work that plan to help get these challenges overcome and opportunities acted on.

2.You supported accelerating the city's cycling master plan, emphasizing fiscal responsibility. Given Hamilton's significant health disparities and climate vulnerabilities, how do you balance the need for improved cycling infrastructure with other pressing community needs?

Thanks for this question - I think that they are all related and we can do a lot with some thoughtful investments that benefit us today and into the future. Cycling infrastructure is one of them and as you've already pointed out, it is my fiscal responsibility to find solutions that will enable residents to get around in the city in way that gives people options, doesn't cost a lot of money, and has the added effects of being climate friendly and adaptive. It costs far less money to develop biking infrastructure than investing in a new roadway for heavy vehicles to travel on. I think mobility is a core component to how we build up Hamilton and I can argue that it is one of the pressing needs that we must invest in.

3 You voted to defer a motion banning encampments until new shelter spaces are available. How do we find strategic solutions to reduce homelessness, while ensuring the dignity of those struggling with homelessness ,is respected. Do you believe measures such as encampments and MiniCabins are consistent with the preservation of human dignity?

The answer to homelessness is housing. Full stop. Our challenge today is trying to build all types of housing to house everyone at every stage in their life. This includes residents that are young and looking for an opportunity to move out of their parents home, to young professionals that have chosen to work in Hamilton and looking for a place to live, to elderly residents that are on fixed incomes looking to downsize, to those that are struggling with paying the bills despite working a full time job, and those that are suffering and can't find steady employment. We need housing for everyone and I'm committed to finding solutions to help solve this. Encampments and mini cabins are just band-aid quick fixes for now

With Police Chief Frank Bergen

Enjoy our chat with Hamilton's Police Chief, Chief Frank Bergen. Thank-you Chief for engaging with Hamiltonians in The Hamiltonian!

1. As Chief of one of Ontario's largest law enforcement agencies, you undoubtedly face a variety of significant challenges. What are the key challenges that concern you most, and how have you been addressing them?

As Chief, my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety and well-being of every Hamilton resident. We are facing a number of significant challenges, including the rise in violent crime, the complexities of homelessness, harm reduction and mental health, as well as maintaining trust with our community. These issues require a multifaceted approach.

To address violent crime, we’ve invested in evidence-based policing by strategically deploying our resources and enhancing our partnerships with community agencies.

When it comes to mental health, we’ve created our Crisis Response Unit to ensure officers are responding with professionals by their side. We are committed to improving transparency and accountability—this means listening to the community, being open about our practices, and taking action when change is needed.

2 For those considering a career in law enforcement, what advice would you offer? How should individuals evaluate whether this line of work is a good fit for them, and what are some critical aspects of the job that people should be aware of before pursuing a career?

To those considering a career in policing: know that this is a profession of service. It’s not simply a job. You must lead with empathy, integrity, and a deep respect for all people. The work is challenging and, at times, difficult. But it is also incredibly meaningful.

This career will test you emotionally and physically. It demands long hours, mental resilience, and at times, it will expose you to human suffering. But it also offers a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. Before applying, spend time volunteering in your community, get some life experience, and speak to people working in the profession —it’ll give you a clearer picture of what this job entails and

Media Release: City of Hamilton recognized with Open Data Accessibility Award

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton has received a national award recognizing its efforts to make information accessible and transparent for the public through modern, easy-to-use technology.

Hamilton’s 2024 Open Data Accessibility Award, awarded by the Canadian Open Data Society, acknowledges the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure free and equitable access to its data through its Open Data Portal, an intuitive platform that allows the community to explore, visualize, and download city data.

Making data accessible for residents, businesses, and community agencies is a priority for the City. It helps residents and businesses better understand their community, engage in local issues, and make informed choices that impact their families’ quality of life.

Key features that help ensure accessibility for users of the portal, regardless of technical expertise, include multi-language functionality, mobile device compatibility and diverse formats such as interactive mapping and information dashboards. The City has also integrated open data into its broader ‘smart city’ initiatives, including public Wi-Fi maps and mobility data.

This award follows the City’s recent Silver-level What Works Cities Certification (WWCC) from Bloomberg Philanthropies in February 2025, and builds on the 2022 Open Data for Democracy Award, which recognized the City’s launch of new dashboards, such as housing and homelessness, and open data applications to access 2022 municipal election information.

“I appreciate the continued efforts of staff and the commitment to enhance open data and transparency and

Media Release: City of Hamilton and Hamilton Waterfront Trust working together to transition programming to the City

City of Hamilton and Hamilton Waterfront Trust working together to transition programming to the City

HAMILTON, ON – With Council approval, the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Waterfront Trust (HWT) will continue working to prioritize the seamless transition of existing programs and services.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trust will dissolve, and over the coming months work through a planned transition with the City to ensure Hamiltonians can continue to enjoy the waterfront experience.

Programming and services that will transition to the City include: Outdoor rink
Harbour tours
Waterfront trolley
Music and entertainment events

“Hamilton’s waterfront is one of our city’s greatest treasures, and we’re committed to keeping it vibrant, accessible, and welcoming for everyone. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Hamilton Waterfront Trust for their years of dedication and service,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “As we move through this transition, our focus is on ensuring a smooth and seamless handover, so that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the unique programs and experiences that make our waterfront so special.”

“The City appreciates the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Board and staff for their vision and dedication to our community,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “The waterfront is a jewel, and we are committed to preserving its role as a gathering place where community, culture, and nature come together.” 

Quick Facts:Financial details and additional information on roles and responsibilities will be presented in a future report for Council consideration.

In February 2023, Hamilton City Council bought out the lease agreement with HWT to take over management of the lands at 57 Discovery Drive.

HWT was established in 2000 as a separate legal entity from the City. Since its inception, HWT has led the coordination of $6.3 million in important investments to enhance the public’s access to the water’s edge and enjoyment of Hamilton’s waterfront.

Additional Resources:Hamilton Waterfront Trust Governance Update Changes (Closed session recommendations released publicly on April 16, 2025)
Hamilton Waterfront Trust Closure & Integration in City of Hamilton Recommendation Report (Appendix A to Report FCS23029(b)) released publicly on April 16, 2025

A Failing Grade

It pains us to write this, as we know many employees at City Hall put in an honest day’s work and care deeply about the roles they play in serving our community. But when 80% of residents surveyed—according to an article in  The Hamilton Spectator—say they cannot trust City Hall, that is nothing short of a failure of leadership.

Councillor Clark rightly pointed out that the survey sample size was 300 people, and such data should be interpreted with care. Yet this isn’t an isolated incident, nor is it the first time that the culture at City Hall has been called into question.

A previous staff survey conducted during Mayor Bob Bratina’s term revealed troubling insights: many employees reported feeling they had to leave their ethics at the door just to do their jobs. Other findings were similarly damning.

At a recent team meeting, our Publisher Teresa shared a story that speaks volumes. Years ago, while she and her husband were at City Hall for business, Mayor Bratina invited them into his office for a chat. He referenced that survey and said, with visible frustration, “How can I be the Mayor of this city with findings like these? And worse still—no one wants to talk about them.” That moment stayed with Teresa and her husband, highlighting not only how deeply rooted the issues were, but also the pressing need for reform.

Fast forward to 2025, and we’re still grappling with the same lack of trust . Eighty percent of residents don’t believe in the institution that exists to serve them. This is not just disappointing—it’s unacceptable.

Let’s not forget that even an independent arbitrator once described City Hall as having a “culture of low expectations.” That label stings.

Clearly, something must change.