Raise the Hammer

The defund argument is about our priorities as a society. Do we favour harm reduction or retribution? Do we seek to support people in crisis or punish them?

In too many communities in our country, African Canadians experience racism that is manifested in racial profiling, high unemployment, under-employment, health disparity outcomes and the overrepresentation of African Canadian children in child welfare sys

Do police responsibilities need to be as wide as they are? Do they actually currently do all of it as well as humanly possible? Could their huge budgets be better invested elsewhere?

The Ontario government has announced an 'independent commission' into the state of Long Term Care homes, but only a legally-defined public inquiry can provide the transparency and accountability this crisis demands.

Our daily paper should turn the letters to the editor into something that can convey the diversity of considered opinion and interpretation of facts in this city.

It is impossible to be neutrally or passively not-racist in a racist system. You are either working to dismantle the racist system or else you are supporting the continuation of that system.

On full display, this Council term is contempt for those calling for a new kind of politics and reordering of public priorities to make Hamilton more resilient and equitable.

Strategy only makes sense if we're all trying to build on our common values and interests, and the zero-sum politics of resentment are antithetical to common values.

CERB and other emergency pandemic responses have demonstrated the inadequacy of the social assistance status quo.

As we contemplate decisions around safe travel during this ongoing pandemic people will need more options to get to work safely and sustainably.

With humour and a gentle smile, Glen invited us to consider the burden of our country's history. He will be missed.

This pandemic will continue to shine a light on all of the fractured social issues that existed prior to the pandemic. It is up to us to decide how we respond.

We talk about how Praxis and the anti-poverty movement were targeted by the RCMP Security Service in what became known as the force's 'dirty tricks' scandal.

It would be deeply irresponsible of Council not to work all-out with the Province to put in a winning bid in to the Federal Government to help us build our LRT system.

Let's let Brandon House be not just a tragedy, but the catalyst for change.

Maybe Hamilton's laneways hold real potential for new ways of living independently yet together.

There are two essential ways you can help slow the transmission of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 through the community: personal sanitation and social distancing.

The only thing I think I can state with any confidence is that anyone who thinks things will go back to normal in a couple of weeks does not understand the gravity of the situation we're in.

Ford's attacks on worker protections, public health, housing affordability and disaster preparedness left Ontario less equipped to respond to a public health emergency like COVID-19.

Adapted from notes for a recent talk.