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.
Click the date to quickly link to that vote below
Feb 13, 2026 - Defer Office of Climate Change Initiatives funding for 2026
Apr 1, 2026 - Increase in fines for illegally parked vehicles
June 17, 2026 - City-led Projects Recommended for Climate Change Reserve Funding
Feb 24, 2026- Put draft private tree bylaw out for public consultation
May 27, 2026 - Adopt a Carbon Budget Framework
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 and reports 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
May 27, 2026 General Issues Committee (GIC) - Adoption of Hamilton’s Carbon Budget and Accounting Framework
Hamilton’s proposed Carbon Budget and Accounting Framework is designed to support City staff, Senior Leadership Team, and Council in making more informed decisions regarding climate action. It is a tool that connects climate goals to everyday choices, like building roads, buying equipment, or planning new buildings. If a project creates too much greenhouse gas pollution, the City can rethink it or find a cleaner, less carbon intensive way to do it. Furthermore, the tool will enable staff to measure how beneficial actions like planting trees increase carbon sequestration that can be tracked towards the long-term goal of achieving net-zero.
Watch the video of the Staff/Council discussion here
Read the recommendation and reports at item 8.2 appendix 2 here
Outcome: Approved 9-0
Voted to approve Carbon Budget and Accounting Framwork: Several members were absent. All those that were present voted to approve: Alex Wilson, Esther Pauls, Jeff Beattie, Tammy Hwang, Brad Clark, Craig Cassar, Mark Tadeson, Nrinder Nann, Matt Francis
Voted against parking fine increases: None
June 17, 2026 - City-led Projects Recommended for Climate Change Reserve Funding
The City of Hamilton’s Climate Change Reserve was established in 2018 to fund initiatives that advance the City’s approved climate change goals and to support the piloting of new and innovative climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. As part of the 2023 Budget process, Council approved a sustainable source of funding for the Reserve through the general tax levy, resulting in an annual allocation of ~$2.5 M to the Reserve. The Reserve is administered through the Office of Climate Change Initiatives. City departments may submit annual funding requests to the OCCI for climate initiatives in their departments.
Watch the video of the Staff/Council discussion
Read the recommendation and reports at item 8.5 appendix 1 here
Outcome: TBA
Voted to approve City-led Projects Recommended for Climate Change Reserve Funding: TBA
Voted against: TBA