University District Safety Initiative

The University District Safety Initiative expired October 7, 2024 is not currently in effect.

What does the Injunction Order mean?

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has issued an Order that prohibits anyone from breaching the City’s Nuisance Party By-law or attending at a “Nuisance Party,” as defined in the By-law. Specifically, it prohibits anyone from planning, promoting, attending, or participating in any street parties between October 3, 2024 until October 7, 2024 , inclusive, within the confines of the map attached to the Order as Schedule “A”, being the Westdale and Ainslie Wood neighbourhoods. McMaster University’s official and sanctioned on-campus Homecoming activities, which are being organized by McMaster University and the McMaster Students Union, are not affected by the Order.

When does it come in effect, and for how long?

The Order was in effect until Monday, October 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

How will it be enforced?

The Order will be enforced by the Sherriff of the City of Hamilton, who may request the assistance of the Hamilton Police Service (“HPS”). Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) staff and the HPS will continue to monitor and provide enforcement.

What can attendees expect regarding Homecoming festivities? How does the Order make it different from past years?

McMaster University’s official and sanctioned on-campus Homecoming activities, which are being organized by McMaster University and the McMaster Students Union, are not affected by the Order. The Order prohibits anyone from breaching the City’s Nuisance Party By-law or attending at a “Nuisance Party,” as defined in the By-law. Promoting or attending these types of unsanctioned events is not only a violation of Nuisance Party By-Law, but would also be a breach of a court order.

Those found to have contravened the Order and injunction may be subject to charges for contempt of court. The Order is an additional tool and allows the City to seek further sanctions against anyone in breach, including requesting that they be found in contempt of court and is intended to work in conjunction with the Nuisance Party By-law. The Nuisance Party By-law will continue to be utilized, as it has in past years. If any individual breaches the By-law, they could be fined or face other penalties that are listed in the by-law itself.

To address unsafe and disruptive behaviour that often accompanies nuisance parties that have historically occurred during large unsanctioned parties in the fall season and St. Patrick’s Day, the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service have implemented the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI).

University District Safety Initiative in relation to Hamilton’s Nuisance Party By-Law involves areas where large unsanctioned gatherings are recurrent. The UDSI for the City of Hamilton encompasses the western section of the Westdale neighbourhood and the Ainslie Wood neighbourhood.

University District Safety Initiative Maps(PDF, 1.25 MB)

The UDSI is in effect during a specified time, date, and location. During the specified time period the University District will be subject to zero-tolerance enforcement to minimize negative effects of ongoing nuisance party and ensuring those involved are held accountable.

The University District Safety Initiative is in effect Thursday, October 3 at 11:59 pm to Sunday, October 6 at 11:59 pm

Large unsanctioned gatherings in communities that have post-secondary institutions are a growing area of concern across Ontario. Responding to these events puts strain on the City of Hamilton and its services including Police, Fire, Paramedics, Municipal Law Enforcement and Public Works departments. The communities that comprise off-campus neighbourhoods are directly impacted by these events, damaging their sense of community safety. Residents and visitors are reminded to be a responsible host, be a respectful guest, and to be a good neighbour.

Charges, penalties, remedial costs

An individual charged under the Nuisance Party Bylaw may be required to appear before a justice of the peace at the Ontario Court of Justice. A conviction by the Court may result in a fine, probation, or other orders. The Court docket, which includes the defendant’s name, is public information and can be viewed by the public.

If charged an individual host, property owner, or attendee can face up to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for any subsequent offence related a nuisance party.

In addition to fines or penalties, people who conduct or host nuisance parties may be liable for remedial costs for fees from first responders, and/or municipal law enforcement officers and City of Hamilton for attending the scene. These costs may be recovered by action or by adding the costs to the tax roll and collected in the same manner as property taxes.

Register a by-law complaint

Residents can report a Nuisance Party or Noise Infraction to the City’s Licensing & By-law Services Division at 905-546-2782 or [email protected]. For after hours, urgent complaints that are an immediate health and safety concern call 911