Thanks to Kojo Damptey for his op ed in today’s Hamilton Spectator about the Mayor’s decision to step away from the Hamilton Police Service Board.

Scheduling is hard.

The timelines and sequence of events raise concerns about how the Hamilton Police Service handles legitimate complaints of racism. The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken. Time to speak up Frank Bergen.

Horwath tells The Hamilton Spectator "I want to make sure that if I'm going to be on the board of directors of an organization that I'm able to give it the time, the thoughtfulness, the preparation, the engagement that it deserves. I have not been able to do that from Day 1.”  We already knew that.

I had lunch on Friday afternoon in downtown Hamilton with my good friend Laura Babcock at The French. An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship. Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.

This resignation comes just ahead of discussions around the annual $245m budget. Apart from the fact the Mayor doesn’t have a good attendance record at the Board, I don’t get it. She sits on the fewest number of committees of any Council member. Scheduling conflicts are within her control. #HamOnt

This is what happens when you schedule meetings with almost no notice or planning. I hope the Mayor isn’t going to be making decisions about the budget for our downtown based on feedback from 7 people. And this was the scheduling conflict for yesterday’s police board meeting. 😐 #HamOnt

So Mayor Horwath resigns from the Hamilton Police Service Board just as the 2026 police budget gets reviewed at the HPS Board meetings. She couldn’t even bother to show up,in person at yesterday’s HPS Board meeting to do so.

But I don’t see you at today’s GIC meeting if Council, so the Deputy Mayor is running the meeting. Why? One is a PR visit, the other is where the work gets done.

Some food for thought, even from Google AI.

Thanks Cameron Kroetsch for this. I’m glad to see the work done by CHH, its Board, and staff have resulted in this action, despite CN Rail slowing everything down. Finally we’ll have a cleared site ready for redevelopment. And more homes.

Interestingly, the post Greco made calling for a military coup was made in response to a post by Tom Quiggin, a key figure during the Ottawa occupation and former national intelligence analyst. You can read about him in this story I wrote for the Star at the time: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...

Chief Bergen needs to ensure this ‘investigation’ happens quickly and he needs to make a public statement as Chief ASAP now and after the investigation. Enough with the faceless media releases. IMO Bergen hides when there’s an HPS problem, but loves a photo op when he’s got a point he wants to make.

There are many more questions about how and why this deal went down, but I hope this offers some further insight on my thoughts about the downtown entertainment precinct. A deal with this level of impact has to work for everyone who calls our downtown home. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...

This was a big week for new pedestrian safety infrastructure in Ward 2. Motions to spend more than $3m for these improvements were approved at Public Works on Monday. Here’s an example of one improvement that’s coming next year. #HamOnt

I wonder if,after 37 years in the same seat, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson might want to read this article? IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.

Thanks for making a difference Councillor, just like you said you would. Rare for a politician to provide a detailed platform. Or to remind us annually of those commitments. Rarer still for a politician to make it happen. Lots more to do, & big challenges ahead, but I’m impressed with progress

I think the "downtown" area suggested includes Ward 2 and parts of Wards 1 and 3, which is where the 53,000 figure comes from. The density in Ward 2 also accounts for some of this. Despite that, the number of shootings this year so far is 22.

Thanks to Hamilton Spectator for a story on the facts and feelings about downtown (and citywide) safety. As someone who lives downtown, be wary of those who push a fear mongering narrative. It’s an urban environment, for sure, but it’s hardly the hellscape some are pushing. Again, IMO.

Love these updates. They all add up. Thanks Councillor.

Wow, look at that headline Andrew!

Happy to see this coverage in @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social regarding @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social vindication and reappointment to the Hamilton Police Service Board.

I watched enough HPS Board meetings in 2024 to see just how bad the Board conducted itself. I’m pleased to see the OCPC investigator saw what I saw and ruled to reinstate my Councillor Cameron Kroetsch. I’m very glad his voice has returned to the Hamilton Police Service Board. He has been missed.

Why is @AndreaHorwath taking sole credit for this? What happened to Team Hamilton? I assumed Council members on the CityHousing Hamilton Board would also be involved. Hamilton’s Jamesville site may finally see housing after years of gridlock youtu.be/PBoPaYzCAME?si… via @YouTube

Always worth remembering. Progress has been made in my lifetime, yet the struggle continues. From today’s Globe & Mail.

Glad to see more transparency & accountability on the Police Service Board. They’re supposed to provide oversight on behalf of the public, not be glorified rubber stampers. Why is it Councillors who complain most about increased taxes ask the fewest questions about $250 million annual HPS budget?

Glad to see some light being shed on the Hamilton Police Services Board and their refusal to even discuss member Anjali Menezes motion regarding Charter violations by police officers and the Board’s subsequent and confusing responses. Thanks to @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social

Thanks Cameron for letting us know. I’m astounded that this ‘investigation’ took 15 months to complete. Having watched lots of HPS Board meetings, I’m not in the least bit surprised the OCPC exonerated you and reinstated you. I, for one, have missed your voice.

This is a very good change IMO. Having community expertise at the table participating in public health decisions is definitely an improvement over just Councillors making those decisions, regardless of what Dr. Tom Jackson says about the change. He can still sit on the Board.

Thanks to Steve Buist for today’s The Hamilton Spectator editorial about the HPS Board’s irresponsible actions. I hope Andrea Horwath is paying attention. You know, the Mayor who tells us she wants greater transparency and accountability in government. Please show up and vote next time Andrea.

The Hamilton Police Service Board wouldn’t even agree to discuss a motion by Board member Anjali Menezes regarding HPS actions re the Charter of Rights. Once again @AndreaHorwath was not present to cast a vote - a far too common occurrence. This isn’t oversight. It’s abdication.

DAMMMM. 5K views in less than 24 hours. 237 comments. The OShow is where Canadians are sharing some strong opinions 👀🇨🇦💪🏻 #CanadaStrong #Alberta #AlbertaSeparation #CdnPoli #Onpoli #HamOnt #Quebec #TO #AB #Poilievre #Carney #BC #Ott #CanadaSky #NDP youtu.be/Qi7qbM41zuw?...

Great to see this Laura. Congratulations on 25 years of excellence.

More proof of big decisions and changes being made by City Manager Marnie Cluckie.

Thanks for this Cameron Kroetsch. I think it helps for us to understand the clear division between Council and the Hamilton Police Service. I know the tendency is to call your Councillor, but it’s helpful to know we should be directing safety & security issues to the Chief.

The best news in this story is that people are being housed in the City’s Barton and Tiffany tiny shelters site, I think it also highlights that we might need increase resources and priority in terms of cleaning up abandoned encampment sites immediately.

Nice to see this CityHousing Hamilton and Indwell project on King William featured in today’s Globe & Mail Real Estate section by Dave Leblanc.

John Paul Danko is a Liberal. (dated April 1)

Really enjoyed this discussion. Talk about current events! The three of you are in fine form and really up on the latest news. Much appreciated. Helps me to put things in context. @laura-babcock.bsky.social

Does it go something like this?

JD Danko is now dressing up as a Liberal, even though Halloween is months away.

Are you old enough to remember walking to the corner store? I don’t just mean a strip plaza, but to a store on a corner in your neighborhood. Here’s an interesting read from today’s Globe & Mail on why we don’t see corner stores in new neighborhoods.

"Mark Carney has his top secret security clearance and divested everything already... when will Pierre Poilievre? That is the ONLY question media should be asking him!" Why isn't Poilievre getting same media scrutiny? #CanadaStrong #cndpoli 🇨🇦 #CanadaSky 🔗 youtu.be/vsjhDjaQn6g?si…

I hope every single member of Council, including the Mayor, takes the time to watch this excellent discussion on @TheAgenda on factors affecting any ‘buy local’ policies. Needless to say, it’s more complicated than Ward 5 Councillor Matt Francis thinks. youtu.be/BMMm7ClTR44?...

Thanks to Susan Clairmont of The Hamilton Spectator for her column about the recent ruling against the HPS for racial profiling. Of course, some will say they found drugs & a weapon, but the issue is, needless to say, more complex than that. The HPS needs to do better.

I encourage you to read Councillor Kroetsch’s statement. Finally, we have a voice on the HPS Board who isn’t there solely to cheerlead, but to ask solid, fiscal & procedural questions and the HPSB sidelines him. Current local media coverage proves police oversight is needed.

This edition of the Scandal Panel touches on municipal, provincial, federal, and international politics. These are very challenging days at every level and for every person. Thanks for your insights all. Good show.