Air quality is the number…

Air quality is the number one threat to the new businesses and families investing in Crown Point. Who wants to stroll down Ottawa Street and sit on a patio when the air is choked with emissions from industry? How many will be deterred from raising their children here? Property taxes in Ward 3 rose by 4.1% in 2020—the largest jump of all the wards. Skyrocketing housing costs across the country have only turbo charged the demographic change here. Manufacturing in the ward has steeply declined, making real estate, non-industrial business, and the retail and service industry vital. As the neighbourhood changes—and to ensure these changes stick—so too must approaches to heavy industry.

I ask you to consider what it is like to have the misfortune to live somewhere where you may open your door—to walk the dog, start the barbecue, or water the garden not to mention let the kids play outside—and have to change your plans because the air is choked with chemical emissions.

Systemic soft handling of heavy industry in Hamilton must stop. Government must stop trading the health of its citizens for the economic status quo. Mitigating impacts on the health and wellbeing of those of us living in Hamilton’s North End must be prioritized. Hamilton’s future growth and prosperity relies on a heroic and long overdue adoption of greener processes and a massive reduction in industry emissions.

All amendments, renewals, and new permits issued must be considered through the lease of the urgent economic need to reduce emissions in Hamilton’s North End.