Hamilton budget left in mayor’s hands after ‘frustrating’ city council meeting

“Frustrated” was the word being floated among Hamilton city councillors Thursday, when discussing the budget process.

It was the last day councillors could decide on budget amendments and now it’s in the hands of Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath.

One of the more interesting amendments that was carried at the meeting is a budget increase for the Hamilton Public Library, which wants to address safety concerns.

As the budget moved to the next phase Thursday, many councillors shared the same sentiment on how things have been going so far: “frustration.”

Following amendments, the residential tax increase currently sits at 3.87 per cent.

That’s down from the 4.25 per cent cap that was pitched by Horwath.

Many councillors say they are unhappy with this new number, pointing to costs downloaded by the province onto municipalities, as a reason for why the tax increase isn’t lower.

“Municipalities across Ontario are experiencing a tax burden challenge in a way that none of our counterparts across the country are,” said Nrinder Nann, the Hamilton city councillor for Ward 3.
“They are not dealing with having to be the creatures of the province of Ontario where gaps — massive cracks in systems related to health are being underfunded.”

“When we bicker about this here, and point fingers at one another here, we’re wasting time that we should be spending advocating to the province asking to get their act together like other provinces have around the country,” said Cameron Kroetsch, the Hamilton city councillor for Ward 2. “You wanna be mad at someone, be mad at the premier.”

In a statement to CHCH News, the province says it has provided historic support and the tools they need and have asked for, to ensure financial sustainability.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton city councillors scramble to find savings to meet 2026 budget

Meanwhile, other councillors brought up a lack of collaboration.

“This legislation requires the mayor to present a budget — it doesn’t require councillors to be sidelined, which is what has happened here,” said Matt Francis, the Hamilton city councillor for Ward 5.

“I literally send e-mails out to all of the councillors, inviting them to come and have a conversation,” said Horwath, “some councilors have refused to participate from day one.”

Now one of the amendments that was voted on and carried Thursday was a budget increase for the Hamilton Public Library.

The library had asked for a budget increase as it is currently dealing with safety concerns at its central branch on York Boulevard.

The library even discussed the possibility of temporarily closing the branch, Mayor Horwath was one of the ones who voted against the budget increase.

“This is not something that’s able to be resolved or solved solely at the municipal order of governments,” said Horwath.

The library says the safety concerns surround drug use, and behavioural issues.

“So we continue to do our part,” said Horwath. “You’ll see some of those investments in the budget, but we continue to press the other orders of government.”

Horwath now has 10 days to veto any budget amendments passed by council.

If she does not veto any amendments, the budget is deemed to be adopted.

WATCH MORE: An update on the city of Hamilton with Mayor Horwath