Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Hamilton council votes to restart ban on tents in parks starting in March

Hamilton council votes to restart ban on tents in parks starting in March

CBC
Friday, January 17, 2025 11:50 AM GMT

Hamilton councillors and the mayor have voted overwhelmingly to end the city's encampment protocol, rules that have allowed some people living in tents to stay and not be forced to move.

The 13-2 vote at council's general issues committee meeting will see the former parks bylaw, which forbids overnight camping, enforced again starting March 6.

It will now go to council for a final vote, which is needed to pass formally.

Wednesday's vote was on a motion by Ward 14 Coun. Mike Spadafora. The motion noted a recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice finding that clearing encampments from parks doesn't violate Charter freedoms. 

Spadafora's motion quoted Justice James Ramsay's assessment that encampments are "lawless, dangerous and unsanitary," and resolved that bylaw and parks staff "be directed to dismantle all encampments as well as clean and restore parks to the inviting, safe, and green recreational spaces they once were, to be enjoyed by City of Hamilton taxpayers and their families."

The motion called for city staff to bring a report to the committee Feb. 26 that details "the necessary resources and staffing needed to transition from the current Encampment Protocol to the City of Hamilton Parks Bylaw."

Decisions made that day would be ratified by council at its March 5 meeting, and the protocol would be rescinded as of March 6.

Ward 8 Coun. John-Paul Danko said Wednesday's vote was in the city's best interest, adding public opinion on encampments has swung away from supporting them.

He recalled council meetings years ago where the chamber would be full of encampment supporters, a group that did not materialize on Wednesday. Now, he said, other citizens are feeling more empowered to speak their minds against encampments.

Ward 1's Cameron Kroetsch, who was joined only by Ward 13's Alex Wilson in voting against the motion, echoed what several unhoused people have told CBC Hamilton, saying banning encampments will change very little.

It will simply "wind the clock back to a time … where people were being chased from park to park," Kroetsch said. "Chasing homeless people around the city is harmful and for some people, it leads to their death."

Brad Clark, councillor for Ward 9, was one of many who felt council's significant investments this term on housing and homelessness — which include new rent supports and subsidies to keep people in their homes, added shelter spaces and plans for more affordable housing — amount to a fair balance to ending park encampments.

He also noted the encampment protocol was a way of keeping the city on the right side of the legal process.

"It's important the public understand that council has been addressing the issue of homelessness while also defending our position in the courts," he said. "We didn't approach it from a hard line; we approached it from what we could defend in the courts." 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Information sharing with Alberta has improved since Kearl tailings spills, says N.W.T. minister

The N.W.T.'s environment minister says communication with the Alberta government has improved since a pair of oil spills several years ago. 

Fentanyl seizures are up at the U.S. northern border — but Canada is still a very small player

The latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows an uptick in the amount of fentanyl seized near the American northern border with Canada — but the quantities intercepted remain a tiny fraction of what's coming from Mexico.

Calgary Stampede: What the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth says about the economy

The purple toasted cob of corn shines under the afternoon sun as 25-year-old Allison Zhou lifts it up to show her friends on the opening day of the Calgary Stampede. It's ube-flavoured and covered in white and black sesame seeds. The cost? $15.

More and more influencers are offering financial advice on TikTok and YouTube. Should you take it?

If you've ever wondered how to navigate the stock market, build a budget or plan for retirement, your first stop might've once been a parent, a trusted friend or an advisor at the bank. 

Ontario group marks 40 years of keeping the history of Canada's WW II 'pilot maker' alive

For prospective young pilots intending to join the Allied effort during the Second World War, the Harvard was the ultimate training plane — but it also posed a key test. 

It's bananas: Churchill Park Music Festival books Gwen Stefani

There's no doubt that the Churchill Park Music Festival lineup is glittering with star power, with Gwen Stefani added as the latest headliner announced for the St. John's event.

3 dead in motorcycle crashes on N.S. highways this week

Three people have died in motorcycle crashes on Nova Scotia roads this week.

Topless Tuesday back on after liquor regulators force small N.B. resort to cancel event

In the lead-up to Hope Wellness Eco-Resort's first Topless Tuesday of this year, Katie Carson was surprised by a phone call she got from a man concerned about the event.

Man accused of running Canada's largest grandparent scam network arrested in Quebec

Gareth West, the alleged leader of a network of grandparent scammers accused of defrauding $30 million from American seniors, has been arrested.

Accessibility minister will keep her job after comments about sign-language interpreter: Manitoba premier

Premier Wab Kinew said Manitoba's accessibility minister will remain in her position after she apologized for swearing into a hot mic about sharing a stage with a sign-language interpreter.

Edmonton public hearing to resume next week, after heated city council exchange

Edmonton city council reluctantly voted to continue a public hearing next week — their vacation period — after Friday evening's debate led to swears being thrown.

CFIA confirms Prince Edward Island's 1st case of dermo, in oysters from Egmont Bay

Canadian Food Inspection Agency lab tests have confirmed the presence of the highly damaging mollusc disease dermo in oysters from P.E.I.'s Egmont Bay. 

City names laneway after Black woman who made difference to early Toronto

Toronto has officially named a laneway in the city's east end after a Black woman who made a big impact on her community in the early 1900s.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Jonathan Toews's healing journey: From long COVID back to the NHL

Researchers working on treatments and cures for long COVID are closely watching newly signed Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews's healing journey — and his return to the NHL after two years away.

Fortis Canada Games Complex opens it doors ahead of summer event

Local athletes will have the chance to test out the facilities they will soon compete in during the 2025 Canada Games in St. John's.

Artist from Sudbury, Ont., takes on new challenge a year after brain surgery

More than a year after she had surgery following a brain aneurysm, Sudbury, Ont., artist Monique Legault says she's been keeping busy with her work.

Saga of Black Refugees who left N.S. 200 years ago shaped a Canadian trailblazer

When Rhonda McEwen received her official royal letter of appointment as an honorary captain of the Canadian navy in Halifax on June 21, it marked the latest chapter in her remarkable family history.

Woman charged with impaired driving after car crashes into Toronto restaurant

A woman has been charged with impaired driving after allegedly driving into a restaurant in Toronto early Saturday morning, police say. 

Ambulance response times improve in early months of Winnipeg's new 911 dispatch system

Ambulances are getting to life-threatening emergencies faster since the launch of a five-priority dispatch system around two months ago, according to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

Sask.'s mortgage delinquency rate is highest among provinces, but it's getting worse in Ont. and B.C.

Tyler Fransen lost his Saskatoon home this spring after he missed mortgage payments due to financial circumstances and life situations that sent him over the tipping point.

New youth mental health centre planned for Fort McMurray

A youth mental health facility planned for construction in Fort McMurray hopes to provide services that many families in the community are currently forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to access. 

The chaos at Kamloops council continues as mayor's pursuit of forensic financial audit fails

The divide at Kamloops city council appears to be wider than ever following the recent defeat of a controversial motion put forward by Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson to conduct a forensic audit of all city departments and management practices.

How this Caldwell First Nation youth is helping to save turtles in Point Pelee

For the last four years, Sydney Simpson has been spending turtle nesting season walking along roadways and trails in Point Pelee.

Thunder Bay police block streets while on scene of incident on north side

Thunder Bay police have escorted a woman out of the building in the 100 block section of Cumberland Street North where they continue to respond to an ongoing incident.

Toronto still struggling to track snow plows with GPS, auditor finds

The city's plan to use GPS and field checks to track the work of snow-clearing contractors is still ineffective, Toronto's auditor general found in a new report.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us