A Contrast in Transparency

Last week, The Hamiltonian sent a series of questions to City Manager Marnie Cluckie and to Greg Hoath, Business Manager of the Water Workers’ Union, IUOE Local 772/HOWEA.

The two responses we received could not have been more different.

Mr. Hoath responded directly and in full.

Ms. Cluckie did not respond directly.  Instead, the City’s media relations department sent a generic statement and instructed us to attribute it to “the City of Hamilton more broadly as spokesperson,” 

Because our questions were directed specifically to Ms. Cluckie, and because the statement did not address the questions we asked, a follow-up email to her was necessary. Below is the email we sent, setting out the questions that remain unanswered:

To: Marnie Cluckie, City Manager, City of Hamilton

The Hamiltonian has received a response from City Communications to the questions we directed to you in your role as City Manager regarding the recent water workers’ strike and the delayed disclosure of its costs.

While we appreciate the acknowledgement from the Communications and Engagement division, the response provided does not answer the specific questions we posed to you. It also insists that any attribution be made only to “the City of Hamilton,” rather than to you as the accountable official.

In the interest of transparency and clarity for Hamilton residents, we wish to explicitly set out the questions that remain unanswered:

1. Why has the release of the strike cost disclosure been delayed twice — first from October and now again into December?   The response offered no explanation for either delay.

2. Given the modern accounting, project management, and financial systems at the City’s disposal, why has an aggregate cost figure not yet been produced?   No operational or logistical explanation was provided.

3. Can you assure Hamiltonians that this disclosure will not be pushed further into the Christmas period, when residents are understandably preoccupied, and that it will indeed be released in early December?   Instead, the response merely stated the costing report is “anticipated before the end of 2025,” which is vague and does not address the specific timeline we asked about.

4. In the aftermath of a difficult and prolonged labour dispute, what is the current state of the working relationship between the City and HOWEA — in terms of respect, trust, and day-to-day rapport?   No comment was provided on workplace climate or the human impacts of the dispute.

5. What steps are you, as City Manager, personally prepared to take to help rebuild trust and reduce friction with HOWEA members and staff following the dispute?   The response did not address any concrete or human-focused actions to support reconciliation and relationship repair.

6. Finally, why was the response not given directly under your name, as requested, but instead routed through communications staff with a requirement that it be attributed only to “the City of Hamilton”?   No rationale was provided as to why the City’s top administrative official declined to respond personally to questions directed to her office.

The Hamiltonian believes that accountability is inseparable from identifiable leadership. Hamiltonians deserve to know who is speaking, who is responsible, and who is prepared to stand behind the decisions and explanations affecting their city and their tax dollars.

We renew our request that you respond directly to the questions above in your own name, and that the answers be provided with sufficient specificity to allow the public to understand the reasons for delay, the projected timeline for disclosure, and the measures being taken to rebuild trust with the City’s own workforce.

We will publish your response verbatim. Our original deadline remains.

There was no response from Ms. Cluckie.

In tandem, we turned o IUOE Local 772/HOWEA with questions about the FOI request and the ongoing delays. Their reply was as follows, in full:

“The IUOE Local772/HOWEA remains frustrated on all fronts - arbitration, FOI release of information and the workplace.

I will only make this comment about arbitration, we experience continual delays that are unnecessary and the City is not seeking an end to the long standing wage parity issue but rather preparing to argue on procedural matters. Further infuriating the employees.

FOI delays are not surprising as the City rarely if ever is timely in action. Silence is typical of the Mayor and councillors.”

We also asked both parties about the state of the working relationship following the strike. Mr. Hoath provided the following full response:

“The relationship was poor and confrontational prior to strike and unfortunately has only worsened. It is our collective responsibility to work for improvements. Talk is cheap, issues are escalating, grievances are up, just not sure the City of Hamilton is focused on improvements.

The employees have little respect for senior management or City administration and feel a worsening of the day to day working relationship. I represent members in 68 workplaces across Ontario. I have had 7 strikes.

In all cases, but the City of Hamilton, employers have actively worked to restore collaboration. Mending fences should be a priority. These employees are provincially certified water and wastewater operators and trades that are charged with ensuring we have safe drinking water and treated sewage discharges that protect our environment.

They deserve some respect. Unfortunately, not sure what I can do to improve relations but will strive to have a safe and enjoyable workplace, one that employees can once again be proud of. Always an optimist.

The elephant in the room, will continue to be the likelihood of another strike if this 20 year injustice is not resolved.

We urge the City of Hamilton, where I was born and bred, to step up and do the right thing - in arbitration, with the FOI request and with the ongoing relationship.”

Here is the City’s statement in its entirety — the statement that was offered in place of answers to our questions:

Throughout the collective bargaining process, the City remained committed to reaching a fair agreement that supported HOWEA members while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Hamilton.

We were pleased to ratify an agreement that helped address the increased cost of living for employees, remained consistent with the City’s other Collective Agreements and the City’s bargaining mandate. It also ensured the continued delivery of critical water, wastewater and stormwater services to the community.

The City values the contributions of its HOWEA-represented employees and remains committed to fostering a positive, respectful and collaborative working relationship. As we move forward together, our shared focus will remain on delivering high-quality service to the residents of Hamilton.

As has been provided earlier, City staff are actively compiling a costing report outlining the financial impact of the labour disruption. The report is anticipated to be presented to City Council at an upcoming General Issues Committee meeting before the end of 2025.

The Hamiltonian remains concerned about the City's refusal to be transparent with Hamiltonians; especially as the questions we have posed are fair and relevant. The City Manager is the most senior employee reporting directly to Mayor Horwath and City Council. Do Mayor Horwath and her council find this posture acceptable? In the midst of a labour dispute, one would think the City would want to be forthcoming. Thankfully, an election is fast approaching and Hamiltonians will have their say. 

Turn parking tickets into toys this holiday season with the City of Hamilton

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 24, 2025

Turn parking tickets into toys this holiday season with the City of Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON — The City of Hamilton’s Toys for Tickets program returns December 1 to 5, 2025, allowing residents to pay a City-issued parking ticket by donating a new, unwrapped toy of equal or greater value, helping local children and families this holiday season.

“By turning a parking ticket into an opportunity to give, the Toys for Tickets program is a simple but innovative way to support our community,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Hamiltonians are known for stepping up for one another, and this initiative offers residents a meaningful way to give back and brighten the holidays for local families.”

Program details:

Toys must be in the original packaging with a receipt to confirm the value.

Donations will be accepted at 80 Main St. W (at Summers Lane) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from December 1 to 5.

Only City-issued parking tickets are eligible for the program. Other types of fines (such as speeding or red-light violations) are not eligible.

“Toys for Tickets shows how City programs can make giving back simple and meaningful,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “Last year, the pilot program turned 65 parking tickets into $4,841 in toy donations, spreading holiday magic to our youngest Hamiltonians.”

All donations will go directly to the United Way Halton and Hamilton, supporting children and families across the city.

Additional resource:

hamilton.ca/ToysForTickets

What Hamilton’s Local Politicians Should Be Paying Attention To as Election Season Nears

As Hamilton approaches another municipal election cycle, voters are looking less at political branding and more at measurable results. The mood across the city is shifting: residents are paying closer attention, community expectations are rising, and the issues dominating local headlines are becoming harder for elected officials to sidestep. For those seeking office — or hoping to keep it — the message is clear: the public wants clarity, competence, and accountability.

1. Housing, Homelessness, and Social Pressures
   Hamilton’s ongoing challenges around homelessness, mental health pressures, and the affordability crisis continue to dominate public concern. The city’s slow progress on housing supply, shelter capacity, and coordinated social-service responses has created heightened expectations. Voters will be looking closely at who presents credible, actionable plans rather than broad assurances. Voters may be asking themselves whether mini cabins are where we want to be in terms of balancing housing needs with preserving the dignity of people. 

2. Taxes, Budgets, and Transparency
   With consecutive years of significant property-tax increases, residents are increasingly focused on how their money is being spent. Rising operational costs, major infrastructure backlogs, and previously delayed disclosures — such as the financial impact of the water-workers strike — have made fiscal transparency a central voter expectation. Candidates who cannot clearly communicate financial stewardship risk losing trust. Office holders will have to account for the cyber security breech and the ongoing damage fiscally and otherwise. 

3. Public Engagement and Accountability
   Trust in municipal governance remains fragile. Residents are paying more attention to how officials respond to questions, handle concerns, and communicate decisions. The era of generic statements and delayed replies is ending; voters want accountability from identifiable leaders, not faceless entities. Those who demonstrate open dialogue and responsiveness will be better positioned. Sanitized press releases that skirt the issues and say little, do not land well on The Hamiltonian. 

4. Transit, Infrastructure, and the Everyday Experience
   Whether it’s road conditions, transit reliability, or service delivery, residents are increasingly judging performance through their daily experiences. Delays or stalled initiatives — even when caused by external factors — are noticed. Politicians who articulate clear timelines, measurable steps, and consistent progress will stand out.

5. Leadership Presence and Credibility
   Perhaps more than any specific policy, Hamiltonians are evaluating leadership style: Are their representatives visible? Informed? Prepared? Engaged? With strong challengers emerging across several wards, incumbency alone is no longer a protective asset. Credibility must be earned — and maintained — through demonstrated action.

   And it is not only about politics. Hamiltonians are no doubt taking note of vulnerabilities in the city's administration;  For example, a City Manager who does not have a formal written performance contract, says a lot about a blind spot at City Council and with Mayor Horwath. 

Bottom Line

Hamilton voters are entering this election season with sharper expectations and a stronger desire for transparent, effective leadership. Local politicians who remain attentive to these priorities — and who communicate with clarity and purpose — will position themselves well for the months ahead. Those who overlook or underestimate the public mood may find the upcoming election less predictable than they hoped.

The Hamiltonian will be covering the election closely and will assess the work that Councillors and Mayor Horwath have been doing, or not doing. In the interim, here is a link to Star Wards. 

Hamilton Now

Transit expansion milestone

The new Confederation GO Station in East Hamilton opened train service on October 27, 2025, marking a key step in regional transit. The station offers an island platform, heated shelters and a drop-off area, and is part of efforts to connect the city more closely to the broader GO network. 

Why it matters: This opens up new commuting options for East Hamilton residents and signals the city’s commitment to transit upgrades. For local businesses and residents, it means changes to traffic, parking, and linkages to the broader region.

What to watch: How the station affects local transit ridership, neighbourhood parking pressures, and the integration of bus/rail services. Also, whether the promised improvements in service materialize on schedule.

Transit network redesign approved

Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and the city have approved a major overhaul of the bus network under the plan known as “HSR Next”. The redesign moves away from a hub-and-spoke model toward point-to-point rapid routes including bus rapid transit (BRT) and proposes a light rail transit (LRT) line. 

Why it matters: For Hamiltonians, this means service patterns, stops, travel times and connectivity may change significantly beginning in 2026. Better transit can improve access to employment, reduce car dependency, and change neighbourhood dynamics.

What to watch: Implementation details (which routes change when), how the city ensures minimal service disruption during the transition, and whether costs stay on budget.

2026 Municipal Election on the horizon

The next municipal election for the City of Hamilton is scheduled for October 26, 2026. 

Why it matters: With an election less than a year away, residents, neighbourhood associations and candidates will begin defining key issues, policies and platforms. It’s a time for scrutiny of incumbents, promises made and fulfilled, and raising fresh issues. It is also time to compare behaviours of the city and its politicians, against past flaws; especially in the areas of transparency and truth telling. 

What to watch: Emerging candidate announcements, major issue framing (e.g. transit, housing, infrastructure, climate), campaign funding, and how promises are being carried forward (or not) by current office-holders. How candidates interact, or not interact in The Hamiltonian. 

In summary: Hamilton is entering a phase of transportation transformation and political renewal. The opening of the Confederation GO Station and the HSR Next redesign are concrete infrastructure shifts that will affect many residents. Meanwhile, the municipal election looming in 2026 means accountability is more relevant than ever — what officials say now will be judged soon.

Hamiltonians should be asking: Are we getting effective service improvements, or just expensive plans? Are the leaders running for re-election aligning their actions now with what they will promise later? Is the city really transparent, or is it a convenient slogan? And perhaps most importantly: How will these changes affect ordinary residents — especially those in underserved areas?