Hamilton mayor intends to use strong mayor powers for affordable housing

Residents and businesses near two Stoney Creek parking lots are disappointed after Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath decided to use her strong mayor powers to build affordable housing on the lot.

Some businesses and residents in the area say they rely on the parking lot.

Ward 5 councillor Matt Francis is opposed to the plan and is calling the mayor’s decision undemocratic. 

“A real strong mayor doesn’t have to use strong mayor powers. A real strong mayor can work with council and shouldn’t have to use undemocratic measures to get her way,” said Francis. 

After a failed motion last month, and a second failed motion yesterday to have affordable housing built on 5 and 13 Lake Avenue South in downtown Stoney Creek, mayor Horwath took matters into her own hands, announcing her intention to use her strong mayor powers to push the housing development. 

“While I had hoped to avoid using my strong mayor powers, the urgency of the situation and the dire need for affordable housing in all parts of the city, has left me no other choice,” said Horwath.

READ MORE: Horwath to veto council’s decision not to build affordable housing on Stoney Creek parking lots

Councillor Matt Francis is opposed to the housing development in his ward and says residents and businesses will suffer if the parking lot is removed. 

In Stoney Creek today Councillor Francis said the community’s opinions have been loud and clear, “our phones are off the hook this morning, everyone is not just disappointed, but really upset and angry.”  

Local businesses say they’re disappointed as well. King Mount Pharmacy points to the amount of medical practices surrounding the parking lots. 

Sam Missak, a pharmacist in the area says the concerns are real.

“Imagine someone with a walker and during winter time you know, if there is snow, it’s not safe to walk a long distance, they need help, they need to be very close to the medical building, or the doctor’s office or the pharmacy, so that’s our main concern,” said Missak. 

READ MORE: Motion to turn 2 parking lots into affordable housing struck down: Hamilton council

However, some councillors are expressing their support for Horwath’s decision.

Ward 2 councillor Cameron Kroetsch says “it’s regrettable, but we’ve had lots and lots of discussion around this and I think everybody knew this was a term of council priority and that the mayor was going to make sure we delivered on this. I think she did the right thing and I’ll be supporting her.” 

Political analyst Keith Leslie agrees.

“This is exactly why Doug Ford was handing out strong mayor powers across the province. The optics everyone knows are just terrible, putting parking lots ahead of affordable housing when so many people are homeless, tents are camped outside city hall, all of this. She just had to do this and it was absolutely the right thing to do.” 

Council will have 21 days to accept or refuse Horwath’s veto. And requires a two-thirds majority to be refused.