Councillor Esther Pauls

01/26/2026

The City of Hamilton has advised that while City facilities, services and programs are open today, Monday, January 26, 2026, yesterday's record snowfall means there are some service impacts due to road conditions in some areas as well as the cold weather.

Please note that as the declaration of a significant weather event remains in place, levels of service for winter operations timelines are delayed.

Main roads are cleared but snow covered, crews began moving onto residentials streets around 3 a.m. and are continuing operations in those areas. Please note snow removal operations may still be in progress at some City parking lots and facilities.

Updates will be provided to the community through www.hamilton.ca and the City’s social media accounts, but here is a synopsis:

Recreation centres, senior centres, and arenas will open at 9 a.m. this morning. All day & evg. rec. programs are cancelled at Bennetto until further notice to support the warming centre. Day & evg. programming at the following Seniors Centres is cancelled, buildings remain open - Ancaster Senior Centre, Flamborough Seniors’ Centre & Sackville Seniors’ Centre.

Due to the closure of schools by the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board due to inclement weather, programs occurring in the gymnasium in shared facilities (including Afterschool Programming) are cancelled.

Waste Collection Cancellations: All curbside waste collection is cancelled today due to snow conditions. This includes garbage, green bin, bulk waste and recycling. Collection will occur one day later this week, if possible, please bring waste in from the curb and set it back out by 7 a.m. tomorrow. The City’s three Transfer Stations / Community Recycling Centres plan to open at 8 a.m. as scheduled.

Accessible Transportation Services: DARTS service is running today but customers can expect delays. Please ensure your walkways and driveways are clear of snow. Seniors’ Dental Bus will not be operating today due to weather.

Hamilton Public Library is adjusting operations across the system today. The following branches open 1-4PM today: Central Library, Dundas Branch, Red Hill Branch and Terryberry Branch.

Road crews continue to clear roads, sidewalks, transit stops, and school zones as needed.

Follow updates at www.hamilton.ca and the City’s social media accounts

01/25/2026

The declaration of a Significant Weather Event suspends the standard timelines associated with the City’s winter maintenance objectives. City road crews are prepared to respond to the storm; however, target completion times for snow clearing are expected to extend beyond typical service levels due to the severity of the weather conditions. Residents may experience delays in snow removal on local roads and sidewalks.

Please refrain from parking on streets which can pose obstructions to essential snow clearing and EMS services.

Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads and highways unless travel is essential. When you must travel, remember that roads may not have been salted or cleared, and may be very difficult to navigate.

When clearing snow on your own property and adjacent sidewalk areas, take care to protect yourself from over exertion and the bitter cold, which can both cause injury.

All facilities such as arenas, community centres, and museums, are closed for the day, however The Bennetto Community Center on 450 Hughson St. N. is open as an emergency warming centre, 24/7, until the deactivation.

In short: please keep yourself and others safe during this particularly severe weather.

The City's main line remains available should you need to reach out: 905-546-2489.

01/25/2026

The Hamilton Mountain, Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is almost here! Help bring warmth and care to Hamilton's most vulnerable during the crush of the winter cold. Register to participate or easily donate online.

DATE: Saturday, February 28, 2026

ROUTE:
Starts at: Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, 5 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton Ontario L8V 2SV
Finishes at: St Stephen-On-The-Mount 625 Concession St, Hamilton, ON L8V 1B7

SCHEDULE:
4:00 pm: Meet Check-in
4:45 pm: Muster Gather for Opening Remarks
5:00 pm: Move Send-off
6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
7:00 pm: Mosey Thank You! See you in 2027!

Details at: https://cnoy.org/location/hamiltonmountain

01/24/2026

Happy International Education Day! This day recognizes education as essential to human rights and crucial to society. This year's theme is “The power of youth in co-creating education,” which draws attention to the important role young people have in our present, our future and our community of learning.

01/23/2026

The bitter cold continues through the next several days, with wind chill values overnight near minus 30 degrees celsius. Please cover up well, as frostbite can happen in mere minutes, especially with severe windchill.

Watch for cold related symptoms that include shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Also remember that if it's too cold for you, then it's too cold for your pet!

And to help ensure as many people as possible have a warm place to go if they need it, the City’s overnight drop-in and evening warming spaces operate December 1 until March 31, regardless of the temperature outdoors, to support those individuals living unhoused. Here is a summary of the specific details of the various locations:

There are:
• 25 evening warming spaces for people of all genders at Mission Services Night Link
• 45 overnight warming spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at Mission Services Willow’s Place
• 35 overnight drop-in spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at YWCA Carole Anne’s Place (CAP)
• Up to 50 overnight warming spaces for men at Urban Core’s St. Paul’s Church

Visit https://www.hamilton.ca/ for Cold Weather Alerts (when active during weather related events) for details.

01/22/2026

Please be advised of upcoming temporary lane occupancies on Concession Street and on Mountain Park Avenue for decommissioning of existing water wells.

Where:
• Concession Street at Upper Sherman Avenue
• Mountain Park Avenue at Upper Sherman Avenue
• Mountain Park Avenue just west of Upper Sherman Avenue

When:
Friday, January 23rd, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM

Expect minor delays through this area during operations.

Please direct any questions to Gad.Nshimiyimana@hamilton.ca

Lane Occupancies and Road Closures can be found at http://hamilton.ca/roadclosures

01/22/2026

The VUT Tax declaration deadline is now less than 3 months away. Remember, all residential property owners are required to declare the occupancy status of their properties for the 2025 tax year by April 15, 2026.

***NOTE: Failure to submit a declaration by the deadline will result in the residential unit being deemed vacant and the Vacant Unit Tax will be applied.***

The City of Hamilton is offering in-person, drop-in clinics in Senior Centres across Hamilton. Staff will provide personal assistance to help residential property owners complete their annual Vacant Unit Tax declaration accurately and on time.

No reservations are required. Residential property owners just need to bring their Notice to Declare Letter or most recent property tax bill, which contains the roll number and access code needed to complete their declaration.

Clinics continue throughout the City, with one in Ward 7 tonight:

*****WARD 7***** Thursday, January 22, 2026
• Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre, 780 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton
o 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, January 23, 2025
• Flamborough Seniors Centre, 163 Dundas St. East, Hamilton
o 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Full details on the different ways that residential property owners can submit a declaration, including online, via phone, email and by mail, are available online at hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax.

Additional drop-in clinics will be added across Hamilton during the declaration period. Residents are encouraged to visit hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax for updates.

01/21/2026

As you travel "The Linc" today, take a moment to remember its namesake: the Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, who was a passionate advocate for race relations, education, & youth issues. This National Day of Commemoration means even more to Hamiltonians. "The Linc," was named after Lincoln Alexander in 1997, connecting 's Hwy 403 with Red Hill Valley Parkway (running through from Upper Wellington to Upper Gage). Learn more about Mr. Alexander here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Alexander.

01/21/2026

Minutes from the January, 19th Public Delegations Budget GIC and Committee Recommendations from the Public Works and Planning Committees are just part of the agenda for today's Council meeting. Join us at 9:30 AM in person in Council Chambers or online (via https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/council-committee/council-committee-meetings/meetings-agendas-video -stream) or QR code in image.

01/20/2026

During extreme winter cold snaps like this one, visit https://www.hamilton.ca/ for Cold Weather Alerts (when active).

And to help ensure as many people as possible have a warm place to go if they need it, the City’s overnight drop-in and evening warming spaces operate December 1 until March 31, regardless of the temperature outdoors, to support those individuals living unhoused. Here is a summary of the specific details of the various locations:

There are:
• 25 evening warming spaces for people of all genders at Mission Services Night Link
• 45 overnight warming spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at Mission Services Willow’s Place
• 35 overnight drop-in spaces for women and gender diverse individuals at YWCA Carole Anne’s Place (CAP)
• Up to 50 overnight warming spaces for men at Urban Core’s St. Paul’s Church

LIVE. WORK. PLAY. HAMILTON Vacant Unit Tax - 2025 Declaration Period Open I want to 2026 City Budget The City undertakes an annual budget process to create budgets that support City operations and deliver the programs and services required to maintain the high quality of life we enjoy in our communi...

01/19/2026

Join us this afternoon (either in-person in Council Chambers or online) for the special City of Hamilton 2026 Budget Public Engagement, Session II. The City has set up this special meeting for residents to delegate during this afternoon's Special (Budget) General Issues Committee.

Though the request to delegate deadline is now closed, you can still tune-in and follow what registered delegates/residents are saying. The meeting starts at 3:00 PM https://video.isilive.ca/hamilton/council.html or via QR code in image.

01/18/2026

Meet some of 2025 The Order of Hamilton recipients, recognized at Sackville yesterday afternoon. The snow couldn’t keep our community from turning out in force to celebrate these inspiring Hamiltonians for their exceptional voluntary contributions towards building a better and enhanced Hamilton.

Congratulations to all of this week’s 2025 Order of Hamilton recipients and especially to Kathy Archer, who has given so much of herself to Ward 7 residents and beyond!