Hamilton Now

Media spotlight: lack of robust local broadcasting remains an issue

A recent analysis argues that the city remains underserved when it comes to local news coverage via radio, despite its size. Even as private radio stations like CHML have shut down, the public broadcaster CBC/Radio‑Canada has yet to establish a full local radio presence — meaning the city lacks a dedicated local radio outlet comparable to other major Canadian cities. 

Advocates continue to call on CBC to acquire now-available frequencies to ensure Hamilton gets equitable and meaningful local coverage. 

City of Hamilton launches 10-year downtown revitalization plan

City staff have unveiled a draft 10-year strategy aimed at revitalizing downtown Hamilton — especially around Hamilton Centre, James & King Streets, Jackson Square and the area near the newly renamed TD Coliseum. 

Key priorities include improving safety, strengthening the downtown economy, and addressing housing and affordability pressures.

The draft also notes a troubling spike in homelessness: from roughly 1,200 people last year to over 2,000 this year in the downtown core. 

The plan is expected to be presented to council before March 2026.

 Transit update: new era for public transit with HSR Next set to roll out in 2026

Following formal approval in September, Hamilton’s longtime public transit provider is preparing to implement HSR Next — a major overhaul of the existing bus network into a more modern rapid-transit system featuring a mix of bus-rapid transit (BRT) and light-rail options. 

The shift marks the first major overhaul of the city’s transit system in decades, promising improved connectivity, frequency, and more direct routes across Hamilton. 

Public safety: growing concerns over impaired driving & community response

Local public-safety officials have raised alarm about an increase in impaired driving incidents across Hamilton, urging drivers to be cautious and aware — especially with the holiday season beginning. 

This uptick in impaired driving comes as broader efforts are underway to improve safety and support under the upcoming downtown revitalization plan.

Transparency. Is the City of Hamilton so transparent, that its transparency cannot be seen? 

 What This Means for Hamilton

Hamilton is at a pivotal moment: The downtown revitalization plan signals a renewed commitment to restoring the core — tackling safety, housing pressures, and investment in business and infrastructure. The upcoming transit overhaul under HSR Next could reshape how residents move around the city, improving connectivity and potentially influencing development patterns.

At the same time, concerns over public safety and impaired driving highlight social and enforcement challenges, especially as the city gears up for growth and change. The ongoing lack of strong local broadcast media further underscores a gap in how information and community news are shared — even at a time when changes are underway.--

Finally, whether the City of Hamilton continues to refuse to answer fair questions posed by media outlets like The Hamiltonian, will continue to be in focus. 

 What to Watch Next

The final version of the downtown revitalization plan and upcoming council vote (expected before March 2026).

Launch details and early route redesigns under HSR Next — how quickly and how broadly they will roll out starting in 2026.

 Public-safety initiatives and enforcement efforts addressing impaired driving over the winter months and holiday season.

Developments around local media access — whether CBC or another broadcaster seeks a licence to restore full radio service for Hamilton.

Transparency- Will the City's actions begin to match its assurances where transparency is concerned? 

Mayor Andrea Horwath- Silent on Questions Related to Transparency

"You say it best, when you say nothing at all.." These are song lyrics from a popular hit song of the past, and perhaps the soundtrack for this next piece. 

Based on the City of Hamilton’s refusal to provide answers to several fair and pertinent questions The Hamiltonian posed to both City Manager Marnie Cluckie and Greg Hoath of the Water Workers’ Union, we subsequently sent a new set of related questions to Mayor Andrea Horwath and provided the Mayor with a healthy and reasonable deadline by which to reply.

Ironically, the subject of our inquiry was the City’s growing lack of openness — a pattern that stands in stark contrast to the stated objectives of the Mayor’s own Task Force on Transparency and the assurances she has repeatedly offered to the public. Surprisingly, Mayor Andrea Horwath chose to ignore our questions entirely.

The grand irony is this: by saying nothing, she made everything clear. The gap between the Mayor’s stated intentions on transparency and the lived reality in Hamilton has become difficult to dismiss.

Below are the questions we posed — questions the Mayor refused to answer:

Madam Mayor:

You established the Mayor’s Task Force on Transparency early in your term, and its stated goals are widely supported. However, several recent matters — including the delay in releasing the costs associated with the water workers’ strike — have raised concerns that the City is continuing to withhold information from the public. In addition, when The Hamiltonian recently submitted questions directly to the City Manager, the response was rerouted through media relations and attributed only to “the City of Hamilton.” More troubling is that the reply received did not address the questions asked. Media relations providing generalized responses in place of a direct answer from the City Manager, to whom the questions were explicitly directed, gives the appearance of diversion. (See: [http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2025/11/a-contrast-in-transparency.html](http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2025/11/a-contrast-in-transparency.html))

As the municipal election approaches, and as Hamiltonians continue to view transparency and accountability as essential components of responsible government, how do you explain the apparent disconnect between the public assurances offered regarding transparency — including the work of your task force — and the experience of residents and media when reasonable questions appear to be redirected or left unanswered? Will changes be made to ensure that the City provides clear, direct, and substantive responses to legitimate inquiries from media outlets such as The Hamiltonian and others?