Statement by Mayor Eisenberger on Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery report

HAMILTON, ON – The Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery has reported back in record time and now the implementation phase has already begun with six motions approved by General Issues Committee which will go to Council for consideration at its December 16 meeting.

These motions include:

• General Business License Fees, Trade License Fees, Taxi and Personal Transportation Providers (PTP) Fees, and Film Permit Fees be frozen at 2020 levels for 2021,
• investigating the creation of a Small Business Tax Sub-Class,
• Business Improvement Areas be provided a one-time enhancement grant of $10,000 each,
• the establishment of a COVID Concierge service through the Hamilton Business Centre, in partnership with the three chambers of commerce, and
• requesting the Province amend the Ontario Building Code Act to permit municipalities to utilize Building Permit Reserve funds to offset the cost of waiving Building Permit fees for affordable housing projects.

General Issues Committee also requested for support from the federal and provincial governments on 14 initiatives to position the City of Hamilton now, for long-term, sustainable and equitable economic recovery.

The Task Force, hosted by the City of Hamilton, has provided multi-sectoral leadership and direction to guide Hamilton’s economic recovery. I would like to thank the Task Force Chair, Ron McKerlie and Vice-Chair, Terri Johns for their leadership and for guiding the task force to the resulting report. I would also like to thank the seven working group chairs and co-chairs and their members who met and reported back to the main table.

By bringing the leaders of Hamilton’s industries together, we can take decisive action now to help Hamilton’s economy recover and thrive once again.