Raise the Hammer
The Benefits of Urban Chicken and Bee Pilot Projects at Community Gardens
Hosting pilot projects at community gardens is a nice way to gradually and responsibly ease citizens (both for and against) into the practice of these progressive initiatives.
by Joseph Sneep
Published May 18, 2013 in Commentary (5 comments)
Public Meeting with New Horizon Regarding City Square Phase 3
After working closely with the Durand Neighbourhood Association on a plan for City Square, the developer has since applied for a zoning variance that breaks his earlier commitment to the community.
by Kelly Foyle and Simon Kiss
Published May 12, 2013 in Commentary (9 comments)
Durand Neighbourhood 'Betrayed' By New Horizon Rezoning Application
This is not a case of anti-density NIMBYism, but of a developer playing a game of bait and switch and using the goodwill of the neighbourhood to advance his project, only to change his plans at the last minute.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published May 08, 2013 in Commentary (41 comments)
Re-Tooling Development Charges into a Sharp, Effective Revenue Tool
Today's development charges subsidize sprawl while making transit-friendly development more expensive. Smarter development charges could incentivize compact development and raise transit revenue at the same time.
by Cherise Burda
Published May 07, 2013 in Commentary (3 comments)
Time for Pay As You Drive Insurance in Ontario
Let's not let auto insurance concessions in the Ontario budget 'collide' with our goals to reduce gridlock.
by Cherise Burda
Published May 01, 2013 in Commentary (18 comments)
Ontario NDP Turns Its Back On Transit
I've traditionally considered the Ontario NDP to be progressive in their views on transit and sustainability, but NDP leader Andrea Horwath has decided to attack the Liberal transit plan instead of supporting it, a stance I find deeply disappointing.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published April 17, 2013 in Commentary (19 comments)
The Morale of the Story: High Levels of Absenteeism Continue at City Hall
The Senior Management Team is not doing a good enough job of connecting the dots with and for employees. As a result, we have less engaged employees who get less done, so it costs us more to do less.
by Graham Crawford
Published April 17, 2013 in Commentary (14 comments)
A Paean to the Video Rental Store
Browsing for titles in an actual bricks and mortar store is nothing short of a luxurious experience.
by Matt Moir
Published April 03, 2013 in Commentary (10 comments)
The Artful Craft of Public Speaking
Can anyone learn the skill of effective public speaking? Yes. But leadership cannot be learned in a day. It takes practice.
by Margaret Lindsay Holton
Published April 01, 2013 in Commentary (0 comments)
Unleashed Dog Attacks Girl on Chedoke Radial Trail
Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs on a leash and under control when they are out in public.
by Andrew Hughes
Published February 25, 2013 in Commentary (33 comments)
Failed Cafe Oranje Bid for Lister Space Highlights Process Issues
We hope that by shining a light on the issues that we had, we can prevent another small business from going through what we did, by encouraging City staff to develop procedures, deadlines and accountability to those procedures.
by Amy Gringhuis and Christopher Godwaldt
Published January 25, 2013 in Commentary (41 comments)
Ontario Government Restores Some Funding for Homelessness Prevention
It will be critical in the months to come to continue to impress upon the provincial government and those vying to become Premier that cutting critical social programs will result in huge costs to individuals and society.
by Tom Cooper
Published December 28, 2012 in Commentary (10 comments)
The Elephant in the Equation
While there is no shortage of commentary about the City's need to increase revenues or payments from other levels of government, there is no budgetary consideration being given to expense control.
by Jim Sweetman
Published November 25, 2012 in Commentary (36 comments)
Demolishing the Future
If we keep making decisions that turn young people away, we will ultimately empty the city of everyone who promises to be a productive contributor to our culture and our economy.
by Sean Burak
Published October 25, 2012 in Commentary (151 comments)
Councillors to Discuss Pipeline Plans
The Enbridge Line 9 pipeline reversal poses a very clear risk of a significant environmental disaster throughout a long corridor of our rural lands.
by Undustrial
Published October 15, 2012 in Commentary (19 comments)
What Went Right?
Given the dissatisfaction with the folks at the Hall so frequently expressed on this site (yes, by this writer also), it may be useful to look at a case whose outcome was much happier all around.
by Shawn Selway
Published September 23, 2012 in Commentary (4 comments)
Looking from the Inside Out: Hamilton Health and Fitness
With motivation, perseverance, a little bit of inspiration and a simple desire to improve the health of our community, together we can turn Hamilton into one of the healthiest and fittest communities in Canada.
by Cheryl Hills
Published August 09, 2012 in Commentary (18 comments)
17 Months Later, Fukushima Daiichi Offers Bitter Lessons in Risk Management
The meltdowns, radiation leaks and ongoing dangers of the stricken nuclear power plant could have been prevented with better risk management, contingency planning, readiness training and communication.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 09, 2012 in Commentary (1 comment)
Ward Boundary Review Process Moves Forward
We are not proposing nor calling for any particular solution to ward boundaries but simply asking for a fair and necessary review to commence.
by Laura Cattari
Published May 14, 2012 in Commentary (18 comments)
Mirrors Into Our Past
Reflection is a way to remind future generations of how past experiences made us what we are today.
by Larry Pattison
Published May 09, 2012 in Commentary (9 comments)
Ward Imbalance Underrepresents Less Affluent Residents
While much of the commentary over Hamilton's ward representation focuses on the urban/suburban split, the more glaring imbalance is in representation by income.
by John Neary
Published April 20, 2012 in Commentary (26 comments)
Erroneous Data, Poor Communication Taint School Closure Recommendation
Given that the rationale for this ARC was predicated on an error, and given staff's lack of forthrightness in revealing this error and its implications on the wrongful PTR designation, the only fair and just outcome for this ARC is status quo.
by Mary Louise Pigott
Published April 16, 2012 in Commentary (9 comments)
Record Store Day
On April 21, take part in the celebration of that great institution of music culture - the record store.
by Kevin Wiens
Published April 16, 2012 in Commentary (2 comments)
AIESEC McMaster Attracting Globally Minded Citizens
A globalizing economy is the next economic transformation affecting Hamilton. AIESEC McMaster is a local chapter of a worldwide NGO that pairs local businesses with international interns to further this change and satisfy the diverse needs of both parties
by Kevin Carmona-Murphy
Published April 13, 2012 in Commentary (6 comments)
The Integrity 'Gag' Amendment v. Free Speech
The City of Hamilton needs an Integrity Complaint Process that works. The current process is flawed and needs to be fixed, not eliminated.
by Brian Hatch
Published April 04, 2012 in Commentary (8 comments)
Muzzle Tough
Councillors vote to silence citizens after they file with Integrity Commissioner.
by Graham Crawford
Published April 02, 2012 in Commentary (27 comments)
Generational Decline in Civic Engagement a Wake-Up Call
Social inertia may be comfortable, but it's just not tenable to allow today's generation of civic leaders to be one of our last.
by Michael Borrelli
Published March 22, 2012 in Commentary (19 comments)
CBC Hamilton Threatened by Cuts
Proposed cuts of up to 10% could jeopardize the CBC's new digital service in Hamilton.
by Sonja Macdonald
Published March 14, 2012 in Commentary (35 comments)
Why I Filed an Integrity Complaint
Brian Hatch explains why he launched an integrity complaint against Mayor Bratina for giving his chief of staff a 33 percent raise and what he hopes the outcome will be.
by Brian Hatch
Published March 13, 2012 in Commentary (30 comments)
Prince Philip School Closure a Big Mistake
The proposed closure of Prince Philip School would facilitate a socially corrosive education policy, disproportionately harm an existing community and produce significant environmental damage.
by Joe Minor
Published March 10, 2012 in Commentary (16 comments)
It's Pension Time
Who could have imagined it would be such an ordeal to collect your Canada pension?
by Anne Van Dyk
Published March 09, 2012 in Commentary (14 comments)
Am I Green?
I suppose when I am ready to look honestly at our lifestyle, I will get greener. I can't get from start to finish in one step, but I have to take those steps.
by Jeff Griffiths
Published March 01, 2012 in Commentary (15 comments)
My Chicken Story
A young entrepreneur shares her experience keeping backyard chickens and selling the surplus eggs.
by Aidan Cooper
Published February 08, 2012 in Commentary (17 comments)
Buying Now, Paying Later
More than ever, we need our leaders to consider their lasting legacy: will they leave their grandchildren clean water, safe roads, and functioning sewers, or just a huge bill and long to-do list?
by Michael Borrelli
Published February 01, 2012 in Commentary (21 comments)
Convincing Council to Support Urban Chickens
Show your councillor that you support backyard chickens before the next council meeting on January 25.
by Jeremy Compton
Published January 22, 2012 in Commentary (45 comments)
The Gift of Gainful Employment
The $30,000 increase Mayor Bratina gave his chief of staff is actually higher than the median income in Hamilton. We need to do something about that.
by Michael Borrelli
Published December 15, 2011 in Commentary (16 comments)
All I want for Christmas
Graham Crawford's holiday wish list for what he wants from the mayor of this city.
by Graham Crawford
Published December 14, 2011 in Commentary (26 comments)
Talking Tenancy: How to Move Beyond Mutual Distrust
Through respectful two-way communication, landlords and tenants can break the cycle of mistrust, neglect and decline that takes such a toll on our city's homes and neighbourhoods.
by Tanya Ritchie
Published December 02, 2011 in Commentary (52 comments)
Buy Nothing Day
Leave your wallet or purse at home, pack a lunch for work, and try a little retail celibacy for a day - you might find you like it.
by Michael Borrelli
Published November 25, 2011 in Commentary (23 comments)
CBC Digital Plan a Model for Entrepreneurs
From railroads to satellites, the CBC has been with Canada, innovating us into connecting a vast and diverse country. Now they are giving it back to us to connect to one another on our own.
by Lorenzo Somma
Published November 08, 2011 in Commentary (18 comments)
Scott Park Seniors' Facility Needs More and Earlier Community Input
Citizens deserve better than to be treated like children when we offer to become engaged in plans that affect our communities.
by Paul Tetley
Published October 24, 2011 in Commentary (23 comments)
Occupying Streets: The Global Democracy Movement Comes to Hamilton
If direct democracy is truly to take hold, it needs to go beyond popular causes of today, no matter how all-encompassing they might seem.
by Undustrial
Published October 22, 2011 in Commentary (26 comments)
Brookfield Has a Responsibility to Allow Peaceful Assembly
The Canadian company that manages Zuccotti Park on Wall Street wants to oust the protesters on the pretext of cleaning the park.
by Lorenzo Somma
Published October 14, 2011 in Commentary (8 comments)
Another Push Towards the Tipping Point: Hamilton Civic League and Town Halls Hamilton
A shift in the way Hamilton operates, thinks and acts is entirely possible with enough people working together to make that change.
by Meredith Broughton
Published October 14, 2011 in Commentary (11 comments)
A One-Car Family at a Crossroads
In its current form, public transit in Hamilton is just not convenient or reliable enough to depend on for what should be a relatively simple commute - even on the two best served bus routes in the entire City.
by John-Paul Danko
Published September 29, 2011 in Commentary (92 comments)
Time to Increase Social Assistance Rate
Increasing the social assistance rate would provide a boost to the economy and actually save the government overall in poverty-related health costs.
by Laura Cattari
Published September 23, 2011 in Commentary (9 comments)
More Words of Comfort from Dear Leader
Fellow dissidents, misguided vigilantes, agenda people, and bloggers, it's time once again to review the words of our Dear Leader.
by Graham Crawford
Published September 06, 2011 in Commentary (29 comments)
Council Should Do the Right Thing at 245 Catherine Street North
The time has come for Council to do what's right for the Beasley Community: engage in the immediate demolition and cleanup of this longstanding toxic waste site.
by Matt Jelly
Published August 11, 2011 in Commentary (45 comments)
Where Is Our Champion?
The transformation of Indianapolis from rust belt city to gem of the mid-west demonstrates the importance of civic leadership.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published August 09, 2011 in Commentary (35 comments)
Taking Action to Break the Poverty Cycle in Hamilton
We need Mohawk, and especially McMaster, to move into our neighbourhoods and build the dream of higher education in all our communities.
by Joey Coleman
Published July 14, 2011 in Commentary (42 comments)
1979, 1929, or Something Else Entirely?
Should the European Central Bank see the value of its assets fall by less than five percent, its entire capital base would be wiped out.
by Andrew McKillop
Published July 14, 2011 in Commentary (3 comments)
A More Balanced Economic Study of Social Assistance
Hamilton has an important opportunity to give some serious thought to the analysis that social assistance provides real benefits as well as costs.
by Bob Wood
Published July 03, 2011 in Commentary (48 comments)
Details Missing from Development Charge Debate
Residential and industrial development charges are going up, but they are still a long way from paying the real cost of growth. That means higher water/sewer rates and higher taxes for Hamiltonians.
by Don McLean
Published June 28, 2011 in Commentary (21 comments)
Canada Post Debate Rife with Misinformation
The public and political debate over the Canada Post labour issue has been fueled by resentment and misinformation instead of factual analysis.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 26, 2011 in Commentary (89 comments)
Woolverton Park: An Urbanist's Dilemma
The City plans to sell part of Woolverton Park in Corktown neighbourhood to a developer planning to build a 70 unit property next door. What is the right balance between intensification and protection of park land?
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published June 10, 2011 in Commentary (22 comments)
Lessons From The Summit, Lessons From The Past
As we hear from urban experts about what Hamilton must do, I wonder: are we prepared to take their advice even if it means major, possibly even painful change?
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 25, 2011 in Commentary (12 comments)
Highlights from Affordable Housing Workshop
As the City develops a housing and homelessness strategy, yesterday's affordable housing workshop highlighted opportunities for the public and private sectors to work together to ensure housing for everyone.
by Sarah V. Wayland
Published March 22, 2011 in Commentary (13 comments)
Displaced Manufacturing Workers Continue to Struggle
The unemployment rate in the manufacturing sector is considerably worse than the overall rate in Hamilton, as the city undergoes a process of deindustrialization and a shift away from heavy manufacturing.
by Katie Stoneman
Published March 18, 2011 in Commentary (19 comments)
Schools Out
Two east end Hamilton high schools face extinction.
by Paul Vicari
Published March 04, 2011 in Commentary (45 comments)
We Missed The Show
New ideas can flourish again if we are reverent about our past.
by Paul Vicari
Published February 19, 2011 in Commentary (37 comments)
Sometimes Nothing is Better Than Something
It's time to do away with Councillors' discretionary spending budgets.
by Graham Crawford
Published February 18, 2011 in Commentary (43 comments)
Where Are the Jobs?
The number one objective of corporations is to make money, and today their number one method of doing so is to eliminate jobs.
by Don McLean
Published November 26, 2010 in Commentary (40 comments)
Bin There, Bought That
Recycling only goes so far. We've forgotten about the Reduce and Reuse part of the equation.
by Jenny Dunlop
Published November 05, 2010 in Commentary (14 comments)
LRT is the Future, But Let's Also Respect the Past
With Hamilton's LRT plan, we're actually bringing an old idea back. Why in the world did the city remove it in the first place?
by Rene Gauthier
Published September 19, 2010 in Commentary (13 comments)
Looking in a Mirror in Buffalo, NY
Hamilton, like Buffalo, should avoid being cynical because of past events and worrying about what other people think. Instead, we need to remain focused on our goals.
by Dave Serafini
Published September 10, 2010 in Commentary (13 comments)
Nuclear Renaissance Poses Threat
More and more nations could take the known and proven civil-to-military route for building nuclear
weapons.
by Andrew McKillop
Published August 11, 2010 in Commentary (10 comments)
Six Nations - An Argument for a little Growth
People need safe drinking water and decent housing. Most of all, Six Nations needs a fair share.
by Undustrial
Published July 15, 2010 in Commentary (28 comments)
The Core Issue of Transportation
We need to recognize that we have pushed automobiles into roles for which they are ill-suited, simply because we have lost sight of what transportation is all about.
by Alasdair Rathbone
Published June 11, 2010 in Commentary (17 comments)
The Internet is a Game Changer
The internet changes not only how the news is conveyed - digitally or on paper - but also how our perception of the news is changing altogether.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published May 27, 2010 in Commentary (11 comments)
Tackling Poverty Together
Presentation by Terry Cooke to the Conference Board of Canada.
by Terry Cooke
Published May 18, 2010 in Commentary (62 comments)
Say No to Liberty
Let's develop our own solution to dealing with our sludge in our own time - and not to an uninvited, unproven company's deadline.
by Julia Kollek
Published May 17, 2010 in Commentary (17 comments)
Nuclear Weapons and Proliferation - Are You Kidding?
Obama has called for a "world without nuclear weapons" but the world will continue to develop nuclear energy. This means that risks from accident and error - rather than terror - are the biggest threat from nuclear power.
by Andrew McKillop
Published May 04, 2010 in Commentary (2 comments)
Queen's Park Forces Hamilton To Reward Failure
The Municipal Act mandates property tax breaks for vacant properties, which reward property owners who keep their buildings empty and encourage speculators to hold out for public subsidies.
by John Neary
Published March 22, 2010 in Commentary (48 comments)
Where are the Goal-Oriented Leaders?
Councillors should be viewed as successful not by how long they can get the same people to vote for them but by how much they can improve our city.
by Frank Borger
Published March 19, 2010 in Commentary (28 comments)
Rolled Over
What is Tim Hortons but a very, very hot cup of coffee and kids going to camp? Smiling soldiers and snowplow drivers? Winter, spring, summer, and fall?
by Anders Knudsen
Published March 15, 2010 in Commentary (7 comments)
Getting to the Bottom of Toyota's Sudden Acceleration Problem
Instead of analyzing vehicles with identified failures, the firm hired by Toyota tested several ordinary vehicles and components - like testing healthy people to identify an illness.
by Joel S. Hirschhorn
Published March 09, 2010 in Commentary (7 comments)
Last Call at the Gladstone Hotel
The closing of a rooming house forces us to deal with the terrible conditions single occupants often live in. The argument is not whether or not these hotels should remain in existence, but what we are doing and should be doing for residents of this type
by Anders Knudsen
Published March 08, 2010 in Commentary (5 comments)
Laurier Brantford: You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
Humour staves off depression, and maybe satire can ward against intellectual bankruptcy in the Crisis on Colborne.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published March 01, 2010 in Commentary (11 comments)
The Youth are Starting to Change
In the face of asinine, narrow-minded, alienating legislation, the youth are starting to mobilize.
by Chris Erl
Published February 27, 2010 in Commentary (39 comments)
Memo to Brantford: Hamilton Heritage Demolition 101
The process of decimating heritage, though it appears to be swift and easy, is a long-drawn and rigorous affair. We should know; after all, we wrote the manual on this.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published February 22, 2010 in Commentary (20 comments)
Regional Hopes
A Family Day Special: Let's take this opportunity to think about how we can expand our circle of family to think of Hamilton as a region, not a collection of separate, squabbling units.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published February 15, 2010 in Commentary (6 comments)
Evaluate LRT on Facts, Not Irrational Fears
LRT has been proven again and again to spur development, attract new taxpaying businesses, increase property values (and tax assessments), and lure residents to the line.
by Sean Burak
Published February 01, 2010 in Commentary (28 comments)
Hand-wringing Over Spike in Pedestrian Deaths Avoids Effective Solutions
If we are serious about eliminating pedestrian deaths and injuries, we need to re-engineer our urban streets to make it difficult or physically impossible to drive at high speeds.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published January 27, 2010 in Commentary (43 comments)
Hamilton Demands our Collective Best
Speech to the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner, January 25, 2010.
by Terry Cooke
Published January 26, 2010 in Commentary (16 comments)
The Fall of The Century: The Cinema History Factor
If you've rented a VHS or DVD movie, or watched a broadcast of a film, or gone the Pay-Per-View route, or purchased movies to add to your library, then you're part of the reason that the film business changed.
by M Adrian Brassington
Published January 20, 2010 in Commentary (4 comments)
To Prevent the Next Century Collapse, Understand the Bigger Picture
It was possible for The Century to be left to its slow, painful, inexorable demise not just because its owners didn't give a damn but also because the environment allowed for it to happen.
by M Adrian Brassington
Published January 19, 2010 in Commentary (2 comments)
20 Years Later, Roomers and Boarders Still Vulnerable
There is an assumption that there is a legal structure protecting rooming house tenants, but a legal grey area and lack of policy focus leaves them vulnerable.
by Bob Wood
Published December 23, 2009 in Commentary (19 comments)
Pittsburgh and its Golden Triangle
In Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle, the remnants of previous eras when Pittsburgh was incredibly prosperous are everywhere to be seen.
by Michael Cumming
Published December 09, 2009 in Commentary (19 comments)
Bill Strickland: Start Believing in This City
By doing something good for your community, however small, you are transforming your environment for the better, and a better environment drives better behavior.
by Lorne Opler
Published December 02, 2009 in Commentary (7 comments)
Power Shift in Singapore, Yet APEC Offers No Clear Answers
The APEC Summit delineated a shift in power toward China, but it also presented a new set of priorities in which the environment didn't seem to top the list.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 25, 2009 in Commentary (0 comments)
Pan Am Games Highlight Need for Hotel Space
If Hamilton wants to be taken seriously, it must build a showcase hotel, one that stands on par with any of the top-flight name brands
by Lorne Opler
Published November 24, 2009 in Commentary (15 comments)
Affordable, accessible public transit: Keys to poverty reduction and a vibrant community
Presentation to Committee of the Whole, Transit Budget Hearings: October 29, 2009.
by Tom Cooper
Published October 30, 2009 in Commentary (61 comments)
McMaster Innovation Park Open House
In academic settings and in industry innovation is not always encouraged, but combining academic research with industrial production can be a potent combination.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 28, 2009 in Commentary (5 comments)
Letter to Council: Flawed Transit Funding Process Needs Public Input, Accountability
In the absence of any meaningful process of engagement, and given how information is kept secret until the last minute, we have a sure recipe to breed conflict, confrontation, and poor transit decisions.
by Peter Hutton
Published October 26, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Civic League off to a Good Start
Their leadership acumen suggests that achievement of the group's public goals is possible and makes it a valuable addition to the local civic landscape.
by David Van Beveren
Published October 08, 2009 in Commentary (2 comments)
Hamilton and Burlington: A Tale of Two Cities
Burlington is presented as a modern solution to a traditional Victorian city like Hamilton: in order to build the modern city it was necessary to escape the burdens of the past.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 07, 2009 in Commentary (47 comments)
Hamilton to Buffalo
These two economically and geographically similar cities have followed sharply divergent trajectories over the past thirty years.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 02, 2009 in Commentary (8 comments)
Myth and Reality of Cycling and Safety
Too much of the car-vs-bicycle debate is overrun by myths and rank misinformation.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published October 01, 2009 in Commentary (45 comments)
Derision Towards Poor Taints Connaught Debate
There are legitimate reasons to be opposed to the Connaught proposal, but they are getting lost among unacceptable attitudes towards economically disadvantaged people.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published September 16, 2009 in Commentary (77 comments)
Hamilton CarShare to Launch Fleet of Cars
The Hamilton CarShare Advisory Committee members and their fellow members at Grand River CarShare form a non-profit cooperative of ambitious, enthusiastic, and, hardworking volunteers who know that carsharing works.
by Les Szamosvari
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (1 comment)
Pirate Party Manifesto: Reform Intellectual Property Laws to Protect Freedoms
The Pirates are the kind of party our old guard could take pointers from: new image, in-touch and bluntly honest.
by Chris Erl
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (10 comments)
Hounds Hunt for Hamilton Off-Leash Parks
It doesn't seem like too much to ask that all Hammer-folk can walk to a park and let their dogs off-leash legally.
by Lindsay Soomet
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (28 comments)
Convince Me to Be Car Free
Some simple ideas on how we can achieve the City's goal of 100 rides per person per year by 2020 (or at least in my lifetime).
by Alasdair Rathbone
Published August 30, 2009 in Commentary (14 comments)
Jacked! Connecting Crime with Poor Planning
Upper James has all the characteristics that attract criminals: poor lighting, fast-moving traffic, wide-open spaces with few permanent residents and a very feeble sense of community.
by Chris Erl
Published August 15, 2009 in Commentary (18 comments)
High Speed Rail Opposition Based on False Claims
When Wendell Cox claims that "intercity roads are self-financing", this is both untrue on its face and disingenuous with respect to public transit such as LRT.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 10, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Paying Lip Service to Provincial Growth Plans
A developer hopes to get council approval to convert highway accessible employment lands to a new big box complex on a technicality.
by Don McLean
Published May 26, 2009 in Commentary (14 comments)
Don't Just Blame Council
How might our advocacy differ if we treated government not as an entity in and of itself, but rather as the platform on which the struggle between different community interests takes place?
by David Van Beveren
Published May 18, 2009 in Commentary (4 comments)
Transportation Summit: Tension Between Sustainability Language and Status Quo Priorities
A significant shift in the city's thinking is that a focus on moving people and goods efficiently, not moving vehicles efficiently; yet staff highlighted the fact that decisions are still constrained by the need to maximize traffic flow.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 28, 2009 in Commentary (18 comments)
The Land of the "Meadow": A Look at the Predicament of Suburban Ancaster
If we really want to renew Ancaster's beauty and character, we have to think critically and act decisively to change things for the better.
by Jeremy Parsons
Published April 24, 2009 in Commentary (28 comments)
Moving Hamilton Up the Ladder of Citizen Participation
What would plans such as GRIDS, the Cycling Master Plan or the downtown urban plan look like if they if they had been designed and, most importantly, implemented, using a Citizen Power model?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 23, 2009 in Commentary (2 comments)
Streetcars: A Brief History and a Bright Future
What an idea - take advantage of Hamilton's skilled labour, its industrial heritage and resilience to design and build a new fleet of radials right here.
by Brian Quinn
Published March 23, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Civic Coalition: A Retrospective
A history of the Hamilton Civic Coalition, an informal gathering of community leaders working together to develop a new direction in city development.
by Roy Adams
Published January 08, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hello, I'm over Here
When will society view people in terms of their skills, gifts and abilities instead of their differences?
by Norma LaForme
Published November 04, 2008 in Commentary (3 comments)
The Social Costs of CARnage
Putting a dollar figure on a transportation-related injury or death may seem hard-hearted, but it can be done. It should be done, if only to underline the enormous human costs of our car/truck dominated transportation system.
by David Cohen
Published October 02, 2008 in Commentary (14 comments)
Take B-Line Off-Campus for Better Rapid Transit
Moving the B-line to Main Street West saves time on the B-line route. This time should be filled by stops at Wellington / Victoria and Gage.
by Thom Oommen
Published September 11, 2008 in Commentary (47 comments)
To Believe in Our Cities Again
An ambitious platform calls for the creation of a Ministry of Urban Affairs, the establishment of three new national holidays, and setting clear limits on sprawl.
by Chris Erl
Published September 11, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
Ethics and the City of Hamilton: A Retrospective
An Ethics Commissioner will help, but the City must get back to the business of governance as opposed to petty politics.
by Bob Robertson
Published July 07, 2008 in Commentary (8 comments)
All-Day GO Trains: Good for Local Commuters?
Rail service improvements are crucial, but GO needs to maintain all-day flexibility for it riders.
by Stavros Rougas
Published June 05, 2008 in Commentary (2 comments)
Missing Link to Toronto Commute?
GO to add additional morning train to Hamilton.
by Stavros Rougas
Published April 30, 2008 in Commentary (20 comments)
Parents - Free HSR is a No Brainer
Free transit is actually financially advantageous to one large group of Hamiltonians: parents.
by Thom Oommen
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
The Green Standard on User Fees
A look at three recent major environmental issues dealt with by council sheds some light on whether user pay is a principle or just a convenient debating tool.
by Don McLean
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (47 comments)
Social Housing in Ontario: Picking Up the Pieces
New provincial investments are a start, but certainly more will need to be done to protect Ontario's aging social housing stock.
by Tom Cooper
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
Puncturing Dreschel's Presumptions
Andrew Dreschel admits that suburban sprawl leads to increased car use – a breathtaking statement from one who supported Red Hill all the way, every way.
by David Cohen
Published February 14, 2008 in Commentary (21 comments)
Why Punish Monthly HSR Pass Holders?
With the dramatic hikes to monthly transit passes, it may be cheaper simply to buy tickets.
by Thom Oommen
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (31 comments)
Tom D'Aquino's Environmental Blind Spot
Ignoring the environmental damage of unrestricted commerce, Tom D'Aquino argues that business and money are are the only solutions to saving the current climatic crisis.
by Maggie Hughes
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (10 comments)
Pro and Con: Trinity Proposal on MIP Employment Lands
This is a very important issue to which everyone within Southwest, Westdale, and even Dundas should pay attention.
by Betsy Agar
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (18 comments)
Lies, Damned Lies and Poverty Statistics
Statistics can be useful for measuring progress or identifying areas of improvement, but real poverty reduction efforts will continue to rely on community-wide investments and action.
by Tom Cooper
Published December 20, 2007 in Commentary (2 comments)
Upper James Rapid Transit a Dumb Idea
It is disturbing that our transit officials are now being told to put the aerotropolis scheme ahead of providing service to those who want and need it.
by Don McLean
Published December 20, 2007 in Commentary (74 comments)
We Need Better than Seat-of-the-Pants Transit Planning
Do city staff have the technology to make accurate assessments of ridership change or is it just guesstimating shaded on the positive side to quell the voices of protest?
by Roy Adams
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Urbanism for Life: Let Children Help Design our Cities
Here is a simple criterion for human design: Shape a city around our children.
by Nikos A. Salingaros
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (16 comments)
Enjoy the Holidays Sustainably
Celebrating the festive season by limiting over-consumption is a way to honour the special people in your life and the Earth they live on. Buy less, love more.
by Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (0 comments)
Money, Interest and Inflation
The policy of most central banks is based on permanent growth of the money stock. Can the world survive this policy much longer?
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published November 08, 2007 in Commentary (3 comments)
Terry Cooke, Red Hill, and the Politics of Division
Far from 'redundant', the environmental assessment Terry Cooke helped squash would have revealed major problems with the planned expressway and given opponents a fair hearing.
by Don McLean
Published November 08, 2007 in Commentary (25 comments)
A Transit Free Day in Paris France
One terrific learning opportunity that we all seem to rush by is what happens when parts of the system go down.
by Eric Britton
Published October 22, 2007 in Commentary (8 comments)
Revitalization from the Inside Out
We need to stop throwing money at developers on the fringes of the city and instead get serious about economic development in the core.
by Sean Burak
Published September 28, 2007 in Commentary (8 comments)
Social Assistance Reform Needed Now
Ontario needs to adopt an evidence-based system for determining social assistance rates.
by Craig Foye
Published September 28, 2007 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Short-Changed in GO Improvements
The residents of Hamilton, our civic leaders, GO Transit, CP Rail and the government of Ontario need to co-operate and move our transportation network into the 21st century.
by Jonathan Dalton
Published September 09, 2007 in Commentary (13 comments)
A Lucky Break?
A recent altercation on the road highlights the uphill struggle to support and promote cycling in Hamilton.
by Grant Ranalli
Published June 07, 2007 in Commentary (22 comments)
Tenants and Taxes
Hamilton's lowest income earners are renters, but they pay among the highest property tax rates.
by Tom Cooper
Published May 18, 2007 in Commentary (8 comments)
Fuel Efficiency is Not the Answer
Increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles by itself simply lowers the cost of driving and encourages more sprawl development.
by Don McLean
Published March 19, 2007 in Commentary (12 comments)
Bus-Fare Increase: A Lose-Lose-Lose Proposition
Increasing bus fares goes against Hamilton's efforts to address poverty, reduce pollution, and ameliorate gridlock.
by Roy Adams
Published February 26, 2007 in Commentary (7 comments)
Dollar Contributions, Wars and Collapse
Well camoflaged, the US dollar is at the centre of several conflicts.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published February 26, 2007 in Commentary (1 comment)
Quick Guide to the New Residential Tenancies Act
The new Ontario tenancy legislation is a mixed bag, ending default evictions but retaining vacancy decontrol.
by Tom Cooper
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Driving Blind into an Uncertain Future
Climate Change has finally won worldwide consensus, yet Hamilton still digs away at a destructive environmental hole.
by Paul Glendenning
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (0 comments)
No Need to Idle in Winter
Winter idling is bad for the environment and is even bad for your car.
by Thom Oommen
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (12 comments)
Eisenberger Must Stand Firm on Ending Red Hill Lawsuit
Mayor Eisenberger needs strong backing from the community to fend off those who want him to shake down Canadian taxpayers for cash.
by Don McLean
Published January 24, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Rebalancing Our Transportation Network: A Case Study
Hamiltonians often talk about how much they enjoy spending time in Europe, but we could have a European quality of urban life here as well.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published January 10, 2007 in Commentary (2 comments)
Why We Should Have Seen This Coming All Along, but Didn't
One of my Myspace buddies won the municipal election. Can you guess which one?
by Matt Jelly
Published November 23, 2006 in Commentary (2 comments)
A Hallowe'en Brush With Death
A late-night collision leaves a haunting reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
by John Milton
Published November 08, 2006 in Commentary (0 comments)
Community Economic Development is Everyone's Business
Community economic development has a lot to offer to Hamilton, and Hamilton has a lot it can give back.
by Jack Santa-Barbara
Published October 06, 2006 in Commentary (0 comments)
Oh, the Struggles Ahead
Sometimes we can almost believe that the wheel of historical necessity within the invisible logic of events is turning, and turning the right way.
by Jeff Mahoney
Published December 14, 2005 in Commentary (0 comments)
Why I am a Hamilton Optimist
Anyone who buys even a bit of the idea that history is dialectical knows that, sometimes, the quicker and more utterly you hit rock bottom, the sooner the cycle turns.
by Jeff Mahoney
Published December 14, 2004 in Commentary (14 comments)