Tackling White Supremacist Activity - Emergency and Community Services Committee - March 26, 2026

Hamilton City Council addressed the city's response to escalating white supremacist activity on public property. Delegates and councillors criticized the proposed $50,000 budget as inadequate to combat organized hate groups like Nationalist 13, who are actively recruiting and demonstrating in city parks and at landmarks. The discussion revealed significant gaps in coordination across 12 city departments handling hate incidents, lack of clear protocols for responding to demonstrations on city property, and insufficient training for staff to recognize evolving hate symbols. Council approved funding for public education and directed staff to develop better coordination mechanisms, while Councillor Cretch announced a notice of motion for April to address policy gaps in confronting white supremacy directly.

Topics Discussed

WHITE SUPREMACIST ACTIVITY ON CITY PROPERTY: Multiple hate groups including Nationalist 13, Active Clubs, and Dominion Society of Canada have been conducting demonstrations at Gore Park, City Hall, and other public spaces, while posting recruitment materials throughout the city. Delegate Kojo Dampy emphasized: "some of this activity is taking place on city property. So when folks are gathering in parks that is a problem." The groups strategically time their appearances to avoid criminal charges while spreading hateful messages. Residents report avoiding parks due to safety concerns, and communities are demanding city action beyond statements from elected officials.

INADEQUATE FUNDING AND COORDINATION: The city proposed $50,000 for public education and prevention initiatives, which delegates criticized as insufficient. Dampy stated: "50,000 to address hate that is spreading like wildfire. I don't think $50,000 is enough." Staff acknowledged that 12 different city departments currently handle hate incidents independently with no coordinated approach. Director Chase admitted: "What we are lacking is a coordinated approach" and "There are silos of information" across departments. The city lacks systematic tracking of hate incidents, with no inventory of where symbols appear or which groups are most active in specific neighborhoods.

POLICY AND ENFORCEMENT GAPS: Councillor Cretch challenged the city's risk-averse approach, asking: "If you see a white supremacist on the forecourt, why is the city not releasing a statement the next day saying white supremacists were on the forecourt of city hall?" The city has existing tools including bylaws against unauthorized postings, amplified sound permits, and trespass enforcement, but lacks clear protocols for deploying them against hate groups. Staff acknowledged gaps in protecting elected officials, with Cretch revealing that after Nationalist 13 posted about them personally and appeared at City Hall: "Guess how many emails I received about that from anyone? Zero." Bill C-9, currently in Parliament, may provide additional enforcement tools for hate symbols, but delegates expressed skepticism about its effectiveness.

STAFF TRAINING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT: The city committed to developing trauma-informed training for 7,000 employees to recognize and respond to hate incidents. Four modules of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) training are being rolled out, with approximately 5,500 employees completing the first module. The $50,000 in funding will support communities most impacted by hate, including Muslim, Jewish, Black, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, through events during Black History Month and Pride Month. The city already invests $190,000 annually in the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARK), which tracks hate incidents and provides community education about evolving hate symbols.

RECRUITMENT TACTICS AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY: Delegates warned that white supremacist groups are shifting recruitment language to target white workers, military veterans, recently laid-off workers, and those upset about COVID-19 policies. Dampy noted: "They're recruiting folks that have been laid off. They're recruiting folks that had issue with the COVID-19 situation. So they are really trying to build kind of all rights coalition." Lyndon George from HARK emphasized this represents "a coordinated effort by white supremacist groups" that is "intentional" and designed to "intimidate community." The groups actively promote their activities online and coordinate across the Niagara region. Delegates stressed that every surge of white supremacist activity historically correlates with economic insecurity.

Motions

PASSED: Hate and Violence Prevention Response Update (File HSC260005) - Approved $50,000 for public education and prevention initiatives targeting communities most impacted by hate; directed staff to align hate prevention work with Community Safety and Well-Being Plan; requested assessment of trauma-informed and bystander response training programs

PASSED: Aquatics Equipment Single Source Approval (File HSC260009) - Approved non-competitive purchase order for aquatic equipment for up to 18 months while developing comprehensive RFP process

PASSED: Seniors Advisory Committee Transition - Approved transition of Seniors Advisory Committee to Community Liaison Group model effective January 1, 2027, with terms of reference to be presented in November 2026

NOTICE OF MOTION: Councillor Cretch introduced notice of motion addressing hate incident response recommendations, to return for consideration in April with opportunity for public delegation and amendments

Attendees

• Councillor Cameron Cretch
• Councillor Moren Wilson
• Councillor Wang
• Councillor Nan
• Grace Mater, General Manager of Healthy and Safe Communities
• Director Chase, Children's and Community Services
• Dan Smith, Director of Licensing and Bylaw Services
• Director Sprass, Public Works
• Holly Odardi, Director of Long-Term Care and Seniors
• Jody Kotch, Director of Talent and Diversity
• Staff Sergeant Ryan Hashimoto, Hamilton Police Service Hate Crime Community Engagement and EDI Unit
• Lyndon George, Executive Director, Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARK)
• Kojo Dampy, McMaster University (Delegate)