Hamilton's General Issues Committee met May 27 under Chair Craig Cassar and spent much of the meeting on the city's proposed carbon budget and accounting framework, alongside changes to business incentive programs, Ottawa Street BIA board governance, a feasibility study for a 50-metre pool, and a commemoration of the 1946 Stelco strike.

The committee approved Hamilton's carbon budget framework with an amendment moving one reporting deadline from Q2 2027 to Q3 2027. It also approved a revised Ottawa Street BIA board, several grant and incentive items, a study on a 50-metre aquatic facility, and a motion to mark the 80th anniversary of the Stelco strike.

Topics Discussed

CARBON BUDGET FRAMEWORK: Staff presented Hamilton's carbon budget and accounting framework as a decision-making tool to be piloted first and then integrated into budget planning. Maureen Wilson described it as "a transparency and accountability and evidence informed decision-m tools," adding that it would provide "the evaluative framework that doesn't exist right now." Staff and councillors said the framework is intended to help council weigh climate impacts alongside other budget priorities.

The committee also discussed carbon offsets and credits. Councillor Nrinder Nann said, "The carbon offset policy that is on the agenda today contains a bunch of information like assessing what the impacts are and making sure that they are backed up," but added, "Personally, I think this is nonsense." Yel Herbert told councillors, "So really avoiding offsets because there are risks associated with them is is what is being proposed here." An amendment later changed a pilot-program reporting deadline from Q2 2027 to Q3 2027.

OTTAWA STREET BIA BOARD CHANGES: Committee approved a revised board of management for the Ottawa Street Business Improvement Area. During discussion, Tammy Hwang said the BIA had faced "misappropriation of funds" and "several fires along the street as well," calling the board's action to remove an individual "prudent and swift." The item focused on restoring governance at the BIA.

COMMERCIAL DISTRICT INCENTIVES AND DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: Committee reviewed the five-year update to the Revitalizing Hamilton Community Improvement Plan and related grant programs. Staff said the programs are "a voluntary planning and economic development tool" used to direct investment toward "economic revitalization, environmental remediation, aging infrastructure." John-Paul Danko said "our tax increment grant programs for developers that are putting in their own equity uh is is critical."

Councillors also debated proposed changes to the programs. Mark Tadeson said Kenilworth has "a lot of things kind of going against it," including nearby land uses and parking lots, and said some businesses may hesitate to apply because "they're just not sure the work needed or just how long it will take to get the money." Tammy Hwang asked, "how do we think through incentives for LRT?" for businesses expected to face disruption during construction.

50-METRE POOL FEASIBILITY STUDY: Committee approved a motion directing staff to study the feasibility of a 50-metre aquatic facility, including location options, costs, partnerships and demand. Andrea Horwath said municipalities in this part of the province have "very little access to this kind of facility overall" and that several are interested because "the need is so great and there's simply no available facility."

Mark Tadeson opposed the motion. He said, "My residents don't need a 50 m pool. They need a community indoor pool where their children can learn how to swim and take swimming lessons in the winter all year long." He said community pools should be prioritized before the city studies an Olympic-size facility.

UNITED STEELWORKERS COMMEMORATION: Committee approved a motion to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Stelco strike with commemorative signs and a traffic control cabinet wrap near Industrial Drive and the USW Local 105 hall. Deputy Mayor Cassar said the strike "was a defining chapter not only for the Hamilton labor movement, but for workers rights across Canada during the industrial history of our nation."

Councillor Brad Clark said the strike "was highly controversial" and "split the city in in two camps virtually," but said it helped shape labour relations laws in Ontario and across Canada. A delegate identified as Ron added, "It's not just for union shops. The worker workly safety that y'all fought for now is legislated across all corporations."

Motions

Passed: - Hamilton's Carbon Budget and Accounting Framework (PED26011), with an amendment changing the pilot reporting deadline from Q2 2027 to Q3 2027 - Revised Board of Management for the Ottawa Street Business Improvement Area (PEED26117) - Receive correspondence re: Hamilton's Carbon Budget and Accounting Framework (PED26011) - Tax Increment Grant Program Applications for 92 John Street North, 96 John Street North, and 81 Wilson Street (PED25101A) - Property and Liability Insurance Renewal (LS260102026) - Alexander Park Minor Sports Association grant for equipment storage, Ward 1 (Item 9.1) - 50-Metre Aquatic Facility Feasibility Study (Item 9.2) - United Steelworkers Local 105 commemorative street designation and signage (Item 9.3) - Move into closed session on Board of Health jurisdiction matter (LS26011) - Adjournment motion

Attendees

Councillors identified in the notes as present or participating included:

• Craig Cassar
• Tom Jackson
• Rob Cooper
• Brad Clark
• Tammy Hwang
• Maureen Wilson
• Mark Tadeson
• Matt Francis
• Nrinder Nann

Other participants identified in the notes included:

• Andrea Horwath
• Trevor Imhof
• Mike Zaric
• Phil Caldwell
• Lisa Shields
• Miriam Sager
• Luchia Ayanna Tuono
• Ron