Our Future Hamilton

Our Future Hamilton is a collaborative place where...

• People work together and make a positive impact on the community.
• Citizens are consulted and involved in making the decisions that impact them.
• A passion and sense of pride for the city exists among residents, driving volunteerism and community-based initiatives.

Key Directions

Community participation & engagement

• Work to remove barriers that prevent and discourage women and racialized individuals from becoming community leaders.
• Ensure that all people have the ability and opportunity to add their voice to community conversations about issues that affect them.
• Support community-based initiatives, volunteerism and grassroots movements.
• Involve youth in decision-making and community development.
• Support and promote experiential learning, civic engagement, work experience and volunteer programs for post-secondary students.

Openness & access to information

• Provide easy access to information about government operations and services.
• Increase access to information about the programs offered by key community institutions and organizations.
• Increase participation in City decision-making and promote the importance of inclusive community engagement.

Community pride

• Celebrate Hamilton’s history, people and achievements.
• Foster pride among Hamiltonians for their city and identity.

Signs of Success

• Women and racialized individuals are included in the decision-making processes and represented in leadership roles in the community.
• Residents are well-informed about important government and community decisions.
• Residents participate in community and civic initiatives.
• More Hamilton residents are voting in elections.
• Leaders reflect the diversity of the community.
• Residents volunteer for local organizations and causes.
• Young people are actively involved in their community.
• Governments and community institutions embrace a culture of openness and transparency.
• Engagement with residents is informed by Hamilton's Public Engagement Charter.

Our Future Hamilton is an ambitious place where...

• People successfully provide for themselves and their families and have opportunities to grow and develop.
• Post-secondary institutions and businesses collaborate with the City, contributing to the success of our economy.
• Residents can work in the city in one of the increasing number of quality, well-paying local jobs.
• A prosperous and diverse local and regional economy benefits all residents.

Key Directions

Strong local economy

• Attract and retain new industries and innovative businesses.
• Remove barriers for people starting and running a business.
• Encourage people to support local businesses that contribute to the success of our economy.
• Keep tax rates competitive to attract and retain businesses.
• Keep public debt sustainable and taxes low for residents.
• Governments and community institutions collaborate to eradicate poverty.
• Respect and support people on social assistance.

Farming & agriculture

• Support and promote local farming.
• Protect agricultural land.
• Sustain food production, processing and distribution systems that contribute to economic development.

Employment opportunities

• Inspire diverse employment opportunities in Hamilton so people can work locally rather than commute to a job in another city.
• Identify and remove employment barriers and provide opportunities for all.
• Ensure childcare is available for parents and guardians so they can participate in the work force.
• Establish a living wage in Hamilton.

Employment & skills development

• Provide education, training and skill development programs that help people reach their goals and find rewarding careers.
• Advance and promote the role of educational institutions as key contributors to innovation, entrepreneurship and community development.
• Identify opportunities to support and apply our post-secondary institutions’ research for the social and economic betterment of the community.
• Develop and use technology to increase access to education for all ages.
• Nurture ambitious career and life aspirations in people from a young age.
• Ensure that young people receive education that prepares them for good jobs.
• Ensure that all children have access to learning that leads to success at school and in life.

Signs of Success

• Poverty rates are low. 
• Reliance on social assistance programs has decreased.
• Those who rely on social assistance do not live in poverty. 
• High school graduation rates are at or above the provincial average.
• The unemployment rate for young people is decreasing.
• Technology is used to advance access to education.
• Children are thriving in school and at home.
• Residents are able to work locally.
• People are earning a living wage.
• Affordable childcare is available for everyone who needs it.
• More people are working in secure jobs.
• Local businesses are thriving.
• Hamilton is less reliant on the residential tax base to find municipal services.
• Farmers are successful.

Our Future Hamilton is a caring place where...

• People lead happy lives in safe neighbourhoods and friendly communities.
• We all have access to the services and supports we need to be healthy and active.
• Our city is safe and inviting, and people continue to work together to take care of and support each other.

Key Directions

Healthy lifestyles

• Create an environment that promotes active and healthy living to support a high quality of life for residents.
• Improve the health of Hamiltonians by actively working to address the social determinants of health.
• Encourage all food providers to offer local nutritious food options, education and information about nutrition.
• Support people to disengage from drug, cigarette and alcohol addictions.
• Facilitate physical and economic access to healthy, locally sourced and nutritious food for residents.
• Provide outdoor and indoor recreation spaces to people in all parts of Hamilton.
• Provide opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and income levels to participate in sports and activities.
• Make it easy for people to be physically active by providing safe routes for walking and biking around the city.

Healthcare services

• Integrate the healthcare system to make it easy for people to navigate.
• Provide advocacy, support and treatment for people experiencing mental health challenges and addictions.
• Facilitate access for people to healthcare services in a timely manner.

Safe caring communities

• Encourage police and community members to work together to keep neighbourhoods safe and inviting.
• Foster a respectful, caring culture among people for their community so that people take care of their own, and each other’s property. 

Housing

• Provide sufficient, affordable and good quality social housing.
• Support development that provides affordable housing options for people of all income levels and needs across all neighbourhoods.
• Advocate for safe, clean and affordable places for renters to live.
• Encourage communities to support home and healthcare facilities for the aging.

Signs of Success

• People eat healthy food.
• People lead active lifestyles.
• Less crime, people feel safe in their homes, streets and neighbourhoods.
• People have timely access to healthcare services.
• Supports are available for people with mental health issues and addictions.
• Fewer people use tobacco products.
• Homelessness has been eliminated or substantially reduced in Hamilton.
• Social housing wait lists are short.
• Housing is affordable and there is a variety of housing options.

Our Future Hamilton is an environmentally sustainable place where...

• A flourishing natural environment enriches the quality of life for community members.
• Organizations take a leadership role and operate in a sustainable manner.
• Everyone has a deep understanding and respect for the natural environment and its important contribution to our lives.

Key Directions

Natural features

• Foster pride in and protect Hamilton’s unique natural environment including its waterfronts, waterfalls, escarpment and other natural areas.

• Enhance and maintain trails so people can enjoy Hamilton’s greenspaces and natural amenities.

• Protect wildlife and plant habitats.

Leadership & awareness

• Integrate environmental education and stewardship across the city to instill a respect for the environment.

• Encourage governments, institutions, schools and businesses to demonstrate leadership by operating and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

• Recognize indigenous knowledge and values in respecting the natural environment.

Environmental impact

• Consider the environment in decisions about growth and development.

• Re-purpose past industrial or commercial locations (brownfields) as a preferred alternative to using undeveloped or rural spaces (greenfields).

• Reduce and eliminate pollution so that everyone has clean air, water and land.

• Reduce harmful health, environmental and economic impacts of waste - reduce, reuse, and recycle.

• Use clean energy to protect our air quality and reduce our contributions to global climate change.

• Improve public transportation and active transportation options to reduce our impact on the environment.

• Improve buildings and operations to reduce energy use.

• Maintain clean streets and public areas where people do not litter.

Signs of Success

• We consume less energy.
• We use clean energy.
• We send less waste to landfills.
• Streets and natural areas are clean and free of litter.
• Brownfields are redeveloped.
• We use cars less and make more trips using active and public transportation.
• Public transportation uses clean energy.
• We meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
• Air quality has improved.
• Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) are protected and rehabilitated.
• Hamilton plants more trees.
• Water in the harbour and streams is clean.

Our Future Hamilton is a people friendly place where...

• The quality of life, well-being and enjoyment of its residents influences design and planning
• It is easy to get around our city and Hamilton’s transportation systems are well-connected regionally. 
• Hamilton is connected to its rich history through architecture.
• Public spaces are well maintained and vibrant, with greenspace and attractions for residents and visitors.
• Neighbourhoods have a variety of homes and amenities.

Key Directions

Transportation network

• Develop complete streets that meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, motorists and movement of goods.

• Create a well-connected transportation network that allows people to get around conveniently without a car.

• Ensure strong transit connections to post-secondary institutions and other significant locations to support accessibility for member of our community and enable growth.

Modern infrastructure

• Build and adapt public infrastructure and buildings to withstand extreme weather events.

• Construct and renovate buildings to meet environmental standards.

Building & development

• Design and modify streets and buildings that are safe and accessible for people of all physical abilities and ages.

• Preserve and re-purpose heritage buildings.

• Consider the impact of urban sprawl in planning decisions.

• Develop mixed-use neighbourhoods where it is easy to walk to everyday destinations.

• Develop neighbourhoods that have a variety of housing options.

• Identify opportunities to expand the presence and impact of post-secondary institutions in ways that serve and support our community.

Public spaces

• Provide well-maintained public spaces that serve as places for community activity.

• Collectively care for shared spaces.

• Build a vibrant waterfront with greenspace and attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

• Build and maintain parks, trails and beaches for all residents to enjoy.

Signs of Success

• We use other forms of transportation (active and public transit) instead of driving.
• Heritage buildings are re-purposed.
• The intensity of urban land use has increased.
• Public spaces are beautiful and well used.
• Infrastructure is maintained.
• Hamilton has more greenspaces including parks, trails and beaches.
• Greenspaces and public parks are close to home.

Our Future Hamilton is a vibrant place where...

• People of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are accepted and celebrated.
• There is always something to do in Hamilton, with a year-round calendar of events and a thriving local arts scene.
• All of our downtown areas are bustling centres of economic and community activity.
• People of all backgrounds, ages and abilities call Hamilton home and have access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

Key Directions

Celebrate culture

• Host year-round local events that celebrate Hamilton’s diverse cultures and unique heritage.

• Recognize and celebrate indigenous traditions.

• Support and invest in the arts and local artists.

• Ensure Hamilton’s downtown areas are vibrant and inviting to businesses, residents and visitors.

• Support and grow our diverse food scene that includes restaurants, farmers markets and food trucks.

Inclusion & equity

• Respect and include all residents in community life regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender, ability and background.

• Provide activities and gathering spaces to help seniors maintain active and productive lifestyles.

• Provide opportunities and supports for all children and youth to achieve their goals and aspirations.

• Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for new residents and students from outside Hamilton, Ontario and Canada.

Community support services

• Provide excellent and sustainable settlement services to newcomers in Hamilton.

• Provide services and supports for people living with disabilities to live active lives.

Signs of Success

• Hamilton is free from all forms of discrimination.
• Hamilton is home to successful cultural institutions and enterprises.
• Newcomers to Hamilton feel a sense of belonging.
• Local events and festivals are well-attended.
• Artists are thriving.
• All people are able to be involved in community and civic activities.
• International students choose Hamilton to settle and work after graduation.