In 2014, Hamilton City Council adopted an “Access Without Fear” policy allowing undocumented or non-status residents to access certain municipal services without fear of being reported to immigration authorities. Hamilton became one of the first Canadian municipalities to formally adopt such a policy.
The following is our q/a with Mayoral Candidate Ejaz Butt:
Q, Over time, Hamilton has increasingly been described and treated as a ‘sanctuary city,’ largely through council policies and administrative approaches that received relatively limited public attention or broad civic debate at the time they were implemented.
Supporters argue such policies reflect compassion, inclusion, and public health considerations. Critics, however, question the impact on municipal resources, housing pressures, taxpayer burden, and public confidence in immigration and enforcement systems.
As Mayor, would you support Hamilton continuing to operate as a sanctuary city in principle and practice? Why or why not? And how would you balance humanitarian considerations with growing concerns surrounding housing affordability, infrastructure strain, social services capacity, and property tax pressures facing Hamilton residents today? Do you believe Hamiltonians can afford to remain a sanctuary city?
Mr. Butt's reply
What matters most to me is that Hamilton citizens are compassionate and that the city operates in a way that is lawful and financially responsible. I support the principle behind Hamilton operating as a sanctuary city in the sense that people should be able to access essential services and report crimes without repercussions. However,supporting that principle doesn't mean ignoring the realities. Hamilton residents are facing daily such as housing affordability, infrastructure demands, decrease in social services,rising property taxes. These issues are placing tremendous pressure on families and small business owners across our city. I think it is important to find a balance. We can be compassionate while also being honest about our limited capabilities. It would be unsustainable if Hamiltonians are expected to absorb increasing cost without adequate support from other governments. Municipal taxpayers should not have to be left carrying responsibilities that properly belong to higher levels of government. As Mayor, I would advocate for greater transparency around the costs and impacts of these policies as well as additional provincial and federal funding. If we receive the resources needed to meet growing demands, then I believe we can afford to remain a sanctuary city while still protecting taxpayers and maintaining essential services. Hamilton has always been a welcoming community and can remain this way while we are being responsible with taxpayer dollars as well as addressing the challenges residents are facing every day
Ejaz Butt
Candidate for Hamilton Mayor
Candidate for Hamilton Mayor
Thank-you Ejaz for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!
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