For those who’ve been watching the Council discussion, people do indeed cycle in the winter. Here’s my short chilly commute to work today. I even saw Councillor Cassar’s bike when I got here! Enjoy it out there if you can. It’s a beauty. #HamOnt

See you tonight Corktown and Stinson! #HamOnt

Downtowners have been reaching out about power outages since the weekend. As of now, about 44 customers are still without power and it should be restored within the next few hours. I also have some answers about what happened and what has been done to remedy the situation. #HamOnt

As you may remember, I tabled a motion at the Public Works Committee that Council approved to replace the playground at Central Elementary. The City has launched a survey to get your feedback about the equipment. Fill it out at engage.hamilton.ca/pyw-central-... until February 9. #HamOnt

The Ward 2 newsletter is out with my thoughts on why this year's budget process is a missed opportunity, updates on the area around Jackson Street West and MacNab Street South, and a summary from last week's Council meeting on secondary plan fees and the collapse of the Gore Park buildings. #HamOnt

Join me for a chance to catch up on the City's ongoing work in the Durand neighbourhood, offer some feedback about changes you'd like to see in the future, and catch up informally in person with me and the Ward 2 Team. Hope to see you at CityLAB on Thursday, February 12 at 7pm! #HamOnt

At City Hall this morning meeting with tenants and stopped by Gore Park Community Outreach to check in on folks. It’s cold out there and we need to do more to support those who are forced to be outside in this weather. #HamOnt

This chilly week, we're looking back at the Blizzard of 1898. December 4 started off mild, looking like rain, "The railway whistles had a mournful tone, too, but they always do before a rainstorm". By evening, however, snow began to fall and stick, "for it was of the clinging variety". #HamOnt

See you next Thursday, January 29, Corktown and Stinson! I'm looking forward to seeing you. Look out for an invite in your mailboxes over the next week. Details below. #HamOnt

Great afternoon at the Pier 8 Outdoor Rink. It was a bit rainy, but that didn’t stop people from enjoying a skate! See you at the next free public skate on February 21. #HamOnt

The first Ward 2 Newsletter of the year is out. In it I write about what Ward 2 residents can expect from me in this election year, the impacts of the Province's decision to take over recycling, and a high level breakdown of how projects get completed in the City. #HamOnt

We'll be running our Ward 2 Community Grants program differently in 2026. Rather than accepting applications at the start of each quarter, we’ll be accepting one large round of applications between January 12 and March 6. Apply and get more information at ward2hamilton.ca/grants. #HamOnt

Thanks to St. Matthew's House for inviting me to join them yesterday at the Cathedral Café to share how the $5,000 Ward 2 Community Grant helped with their kitchen renovation. A new stove, dishwasher, sinks, and flooring make it easier to prepare and serve meals to those in need. It matters. #HamOnt

Join me for a chance to catch up on the City's ongoing work in the Corktown neighbourhood, offer some feedback about changes you'd like to see in the future, and catch up informally in person with me and the Ward 2 Team. Hope to see you at the Queen Vic Library on January 29 at 7pm! #HamOnt

Safer streets matter. Here’s a quick video recap of the motion I put forward (it passed) for raised crosswalks in the Central neighbourhood at today’s Public Works Committee. #HamOnt

I’m continuing to prioritize safer streets in Ward 2, as I did with this motion seconded by Councillor Cassar today at Public Works. Introducing raised intersections and crosswalks will help to mitigate dangerous driving, which continues to be an issue downtown. It matters. #HamOnt

Ward 2 is home to the highest concentration of small businesses in the city. I know many small business owners who are struggling for these reasons. It’s also a slower time in January for many who run and work in restaurants. If you can, please support local businesses downtown this winter. #HamOnt

Join me next Saturday, January 17 for a Ward 2 Public Skate at the Pier 8 rink in the North End. There will be free skate rentals and hot chocolate and I'll be on hand in case you have any questions, feedback, or just want to catch up after the holidays. Hope to see you there! #HamOnt

2026 will be the first time, in 16 years, there's only going to be a municipal election (there's usually also a Provincial election). In preparation for what's sure to be a non stop buffet of election year nonsense, check out this really well researched and thoughtful edition of The Incline. #HamOnt

This week, in honour of the year of the fire horse (Chinese zodiac), we remember the rash of unsettling fires from late September to early December 1856 across Hamilton. Early outbreaks of arson struck cabinet shops, stables, and vacant houses, often fuelled by lumber or hay stored inside. #HamOnt

At this time of year, I handwrite cards to the hundreds of staff at the City I work most closely with, to thank them for all they do, and to offer a little bit of cheer to welcome in 2026. If you can, spread some cheer to the people in your work life. #HamOnt

An important read in today's paper. The continued narrative that crime is up is not supported by the facts. Crime is down, except for hate crimes, which is worth noting. There's also no connection between rising police budgets and safety. #HamOnt

Back to work at City Hall today and wanted to share a quick 2026 greeting with all of you. If you’re back to work today, I hope it’s going well. #HamOnt

I’ll be ringing in the new year in relative peace and quiet in the middle of the wintery woods. 2025 was hard for so many people I know. I’m hopeful 2026 will be better and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back in #HamOnt next week. There’s work to do. ❄️ 🤍

This could have been avoided. It’s only on the table as an option because a previous Council made the terrible decision to build a two story Investigative Services Division in the heart of our downtown instead of something taller that would have also housed the decaying Central Station. #HamOnt

Our office will be closed from December 20 to January 4. We'll be back in the office on Monday, January 5, for our regular hours. If there's something urgent you need to let me or the Ward 2 Team know about while we're closed, please reach out to me directly at [email protected]. #HamOnt

"The drop-in space is expected to open Friday at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church at James and Jackson streets." #HamOnt https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/homelessness-hamilton-winter-shelters-downtown/article_d38effb3-8c01-5198-9b23-9b4c4af637f9.html

As a vegan, it sucks to lose Democracy, but as an advocate for all workers, it’s awful to hear this is happening, especially now. There’s no good reason it had to end like this. There were many ways to ensure workers were treated well. If you can donate, www.gofundme.com/f/help-12-la.... #HamOnt

This week, we’re taking an historical walk through Durand, remembering an old school that once stood at the corner of Queen Street South and Robinson Street, the Ryerson Public School. At a time of growth in Hamilton, this school was one of many buildings under construction in 1889. #HamOnt

The Provincial Minister of Housing just approved the City's request for an order to move the Jamesville housing project forward. It's good news. I haven't been given any details, timelines, or other specifics but I've reached out to staff and will let folks know when I have more information. #HamOnt

I'm grateful this motion passed yesterday. It's been a long time coming. City staff will report back next year on implementing the same traffic calming principles that exist in the North End to every other neighbourhood in Ward 2, including speed limits of 30 km/h and road design changes. #HamOnt

Thanks to my seconder and former principal, Councillor Mark Tadeson, and the Public Works Committee for approving the replacement of the play equipment at Central Elementary School in Ward 2. It's at the end of its life and I'm looking forward to welcoming a renewed play space. #HamOnt

I share the concerns raised by people, across the city, about the timing of the erection of this fence in front of the Salvation Army. The terrible message it sends is that Hamiltonians who are experiencing homelessness should be hidden from sight. It's not ok to treat anyone like this. #HamOnt

It’s deeply disturbing to see another white supremacist rally in our downtown core. We can’t let our city continue to be home to this violence and hatred. If this group is well known, then they should be made to feel unwelcome in Hamilton. #HamOnt youtu.be/-K1ug9ya2tY

At last week's Hamilton Police Service Board meeting, we took a big step forward. After years of advocating for reductions to the police budget, the Board reduced this year's request from 9.48% to 6.81%, just as Member Menezes and I asked them to do in February 2024. #HamOnt

I've heard from local restaurant and business owners who tell me they were much busier when McCartney was here. I'm glad small businesses are seeing an uptick. As a former small business owner, I care deeply about the shared success of our downtown core and every business that calls it home. #HamOnt

Thanks to YWCA Hamilton’s Medora Uppal for opening up about this and calling out the problems we’re facing as a community. The solutions aren’t easy, but we must continue to confront gender based violence. I stand with the women most impacted and I’ll continue to do what I can to help. #HamOnt

Thanks to The Spec for publishing this opinion piece with MPP Robin Lennox on Ford's latest attack on tenants, this time through Bill 60. We all have to stand up in the face of this legislation. A third of all Hamiltonians are tenants. It matters. #HamOnt @robinlennoxmd.bsky.social

In a week from today, on December 4 at the Discovery Centre, I'll be meeting with North Enders about two important greenspaces in Ward 2 - Eastwood Park and Strachan Linear Park. I'll be presenting information based on plans we have so far and getting more feedback about the road ahead. #HamOnt

Hope to see you tonight at my 2026 City Budget Town Hall! We'll be at Ringside at 7pm. Check out the details in the poster and, if you can, please register to attend at ward2hamilton.ca/townhall (not required, but appreciated). #HamOnt

Another issue of the Ward 2 Newsletter is out. I write about decisions made at Council, timelines for the Bennetto Auditorium in the North End, the work of the Neighbourhood Association Council, and how the City's budget works. Hope to see you tomorrow for our budget town hall! #HamOnt

November 15 marked a full three years in my role as Councillor for Ward 2. Every year, around this time, I write about another year gone by, what I’ve learned in this job, what people tell me when they see me at a meeting, stop me in the street, or share their thoughts with me in an email. #HamOnt

This week's heritage post was inspired by a stroll along the escarpment. Before European settlement, southern Ontario was predominantly forested with mature, diverse hardwood forests in the Carolinian Life Zone, where the climate creates a home for many rare species of plants and animals. #HamOnt

As you gear up for the weekend, check out the latest edition of the Ward 2 Newsletter. I unpack some of the big Council decisions in October, recent development decisions downtown, engaging our next generation at City Hall, and some inside baseball. Happy reading! #HamOnt

Reminder to register at ward2hamilton.ca/townhall if you're planning on attending our City Budget Town Hall at Ringside on November 25. I'm really looking forward to hearing from you about your priorities and unpacking the budget process to make it accessible to Ward 2 residents. #HamOnt

Our streets continue to be unsafe for the people who need to use them, every day, to walk, cycle, and roll in our city. The death of a crossing guard, a City employee who is here to protect all of us on our roads, is devastating. #HamOnt

In between Committee meetings, I dropped off some responses I wrote to student letters after our Grade 5 field trip last week. Big takeaways - students valued the opportunity to participate in the horseshoe and to see what the City does up close. Next year is going to be a blast! #HamOnt