Latest from Saira Peesker
Overnight warming bus service cancelled by Hamilton councillors, as they opt for new drop-in
A transit bus designated as a moving, overnight warming centre is unlikely to be on Hamilton streets this winter, after councillors voted unanimously Wednesday to replace the program with a 25-person overnight drop-in centre and additional permanent shelter beds.
Council won't ask the province to use notwithstanding clause to clear encampments
Hamilton council has defeated a motion that would have seen it join others in Ontario asking the province to override sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in order to ban encampments in parks and public spaces.
Hundreds fill Hamilton's downtown Gore Park to remember Canada's war dead
Hundreds of observers marked Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of D-Day during a downtown ceremony at the Gore Park cenotaph on Monday, recalling efforts by local soldiers who gave their lives on the battlefield.
Hamilton building collapse at downtown park could've had 'terrifying' consequences, mayor says
Two buildings collapsed on Hamilton’s Gore Park early Monday morning after being boarded up for over a decade. The fire department says no one was injured and the city has issued an emergency demolition order.
Hamilton council bans encampments in 7 parks nearest new shelter beds
Hamilton city council has voted to ban encampments from seven green spaces in Ward 3, just east of downtown, once 123 new shelter beds open up in the area in the coming weeks.
Catholic school board trustees apologize after buying $100K in religious art on publicly funded Italy trip
The chair of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) apologized Thursday for a trip he and three other trustees took to Italy this summer to buy religious art for two new schools. A day earlier, the trip earned a rebuke from the education minister.
Hamilton council considers encampment ban for 7 lower-city parks
Hamilton city councillors are looking to ban encampments from seven locations in Ward 3 — including J.C. Beemer Park, the base of the Claremont Access and along the Escarpment Rail Trail — once a slew of new shelter spaces set for the area become available.
Niagara trustee suspended for comparing Pride and Nazi flags tries again to ban Pride flag
Natalia Benoit, a trustee who was barred from meetings for six months after making comments about the Pride flag, is once again trying to have it banned from schools with the Niagara Catholic District School Board in Ontario.
Online voting could be tested in Hamilton during Ward 4 trustee byelection
Hamilton city council has given staff the green light to plan for online voting for Ward 4's public school trustee. The city clerk says whether online voting goes ahead depends on if all the work needed to put it in place can be done before the Jan. 6 byelection.
City of Hamilton wants to hear about industrial soot, odours and noise irking residents
Hamilton residents have reported more soot covering their properties to the Ontario government, only for the problems to continue. A city pilot program aims to receive and react to complaints related to industrial and commercial dust, dragout, noise and odour using a dedicated bylaw staffer.