Climate Action starts at the Municipal Level
Canadians live in Cities, towns, and hamlets across the country and we all elect local leaders to represent us. However, most citizens don’t know what decisions are being made on their behalf in their town council chambers. Staff reports, Council discussion, community contributions, delegations and lobbying all influence Councillors’ every day votes. Council decisions can determine the direction of a municipality for decades, so it’s important to make sure those decisions reflect the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises before us.
Get involved! Call or email your Councillor to let them know you care about Climate Action in Hamilton! Find your ward here. Find your Councillor here.
Accountability at City Hall is is important. Below you’ll find 2026 climate-related decisions at Hamilton City Hall and a vote count so you know how your Councillor voted.
Feb 24 - put draft private tree bylaw out for public consultation
Feb 13, 2026 - General Issues Committee (Budget) motion to defund the Office of Climate Change Initiatives for 2026
Moved by Ward 14 Cllr Mike Spadafora, seconded by Ward 5 Cllr Matt Francis
Item 9.7 Motion: “Build Budget Better: An Amendment to the Draft 2026 City of Hamilton Budget and Financing Plan”
That the 2026 Capital Levy BE REDUCED by $2.5 million, reflecting the deferral of capital project 3302348302 climate change action plan to the 2027 budget process
This motion sought to stop the annual funding funding of the Office of Climate Change Initiatives (OCCI) for the 2026 budget year and defer it till 2027.
Impact: A removal of the annual funding allocation would severely limit the local climate initiatives that are funded through the OCCI’s Climate Reserve Fund in 2026 and would put the 2027 funding allocation in jeopardy.
Over 150 Hamiltonians emailed their support for climate, cycling and other environmental initiatives to City Hall in time for the Feb 6 and Feb 13 budget votes, making climate issues the number one topic communicated to City Council this budget season - a fact that was noted and appreciated by several Councillors during the meeting.
Outcome: Failed 9-6
Voted against OCCI funding deferral (keep 2026 funding in place): Maureen Wilson, Cameron Kroetsch, Nrinder Nann, Tammy Hwang, Mark Tadeson, Craig Cassar, Alex Wilson, Ted McMeekin, Mayor Horwath
Voted for OCCI funding deferral (stop 2026 funding allocation): Matt Francis, Tom Jackson, Rob Cooper, Brad Clark, Jeff Beatie, Mike Spadafora
Absent: Esther Pauls
Feb 24, 2026 Planning Committee - Staff recommendation to consult with the public on a draft tree protection bylaw
Item 9.4 - Draft Harmonized Private Tree By-law and Proposed Updates to the Urban Woodland By-law, Woodland Conservation By-Law, and Tree Protection Guidelines
Watch the video of the Council/Staff discussion here
Some Councillors spoke against the proposed bylaw and two voted against putting the draft out for public consultation
Outcome: Passed 8-2
Voted for public consultation on the draft bylaws and guidelines: T. McMeekin, M. Tadeson, T. Hwang, J. Beattie, N. Nann, C. Kroetsch, M. Wilson, C. Cassar
Voted against public consultation on the draft bylaws and guidelines: M. Francis, R. Cooper
Apr 1, 2026 Council - Recommendation for a modest increase of parking fines for illegally parked vehicles.
Council comments against: Anti-car, nothing but a money grab, lacks compassion, no new taxes
Council comments in favour: routine fee increase benchmarked against other municipalities, hospitals were not targeted, $700K of revenue is contingent on this increase as per the 2026 budget which would have to come from taxes if not approved, the public is affected negatively by improperly parked vehicles, parking fines are user fees paid only by those parking illegally, higher fines act as a deterrent and help ensure there is turnover of parking at in-demand areas.
Watch the video of the Staff/Council discussion here
Read the recommendation at item 9.3 here
Outcome: Passed 10-4
Voted for parking fine increases: A. Wilson, J. Beattie, T. Hwang, B. Clark, M, Spadafora, T. McMeekin, C. Cassar, M. Tadeson, C. Kroetsch, N. Nann.
Voted against parking fine increases: E. Pauls, M. Francis, R. Cooper, T. Jackson