This year, the City will finally be looking at a private tree bylaw after approving a 40% urban tree canopy target in this term. With the massive changes over the years due to urban renewal and development, the urban tree canopy in Ward 2 has been significantly eroded. Greening our downtown matters.

In the 1920s, responsibility for trees moved from individuals to the municipality. Reports called for coordinated policies, arborists, and scientific care. Finally, the shade tree was recognized as essential urban infrastructure.

For nearly a century, shade trees were a “matter of individual action and initiative,” meaning that care was left to private citizens. Without oversight, people treated them as private property, “cutting away a branch here and a twig there,” leaving public shade trees “greatly-abused".

By the 1880s and through the 1890s, the Spec wrote with much frustration about “tree butchers,” lamenting that only in Hamilton were trees killed "promiscuously". The advent of the telephone and electricity did not help either, as companies found it cheaper to destroy a tree than work around it.

It was firmly believed planting trees would improve comfort and civic pride. Protective bylaws were passed, however, vandalism, neglect, and indifference remained. Kids stripped bark for sport and livestock grazed freely. In 1885, 14 cows along Herkimer and Markland Streets ravaged many young trees.

Much thought was put into the best tree for the job. Maples were favored for fast growth, though prone to breaking. Black walnut offered beauty, but spread too wide for roads. Cherry trees provided shade and fruit, however, "this very temptation is used as an argument against planting the cherry".

"Had James Street, for instance, been planted with trees at the same time that those opposite Christ's Church were planted, how much more inviting and attractive would that street have been than it now is... we believe that it can be so accomplished at a comparatively trifling outlay."

Shade trees were planted for beauty and purpose. They cooled streets, sheltered citizens, and even slowed the spread of fire. By 1850, residents complained that the absence of shade trees hindered the city’s growth, leaving streets like James Street feeling rather harsh.

Spring has arrived and we will soon see tiny green buds dotting Ward 2. This week, we are taking a look back at the history of some of our favourite municipal assets, our trees, or more specifically, what were often referred to as shade trees. #HamOnt

Market staff are carrying out their role to enforce the policy - approved by the Board, requested by customers and vendors, and broadly collaborated on over a 2 year period before approval. It's my hope that Jantzi Cheese will choose to remain part of the HFM community rather than close its doors.

Every vendor provided their availability for each of these days, except Jantzi Cheese, who refused to provide any availability on Wednesdays. Market staff continue to be willing to meet if Jantzi Cheese changes its mind and is willing to be open on Wednesdays.

One of the key proposals in the policy was to ask each vendor, apart from local farmers, to adopt core operating hours on each of the days the market is open - Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for 6 hours each and Saturday for 7 hours.

There were two vendor surveys distributed by HFM staff to make sure we were capturing any concerns raised by vendors. Over the 2 years, changes were incorporated and when it was being finalized HFM staff ensured vendors had adequate notice so they could provide their feedback.

This policy was first drafted about 2 years ago. It went through several rounds of changes including feedback from the Board, customers, vendors, and the Vendors Association. It was the subject of debate at several public meetings, including this year.

What vendors told us is that they wanted fairness. They wanted to know that every vendor would be held to the same standards, unless there were exceptional circumstances.

What customers told us through that process was that they wanted consistency. They wanted to know that when they showed up at the market during its core operating hours, that every vendor would be there.

This policy was developed in response to consistent feedback from shoppers and vendors in developing a vision for the market. That vision made it clear the market should increase rents over time and enforce its leases to make the market experience consistent for customers and vendors alike.

For context, the market has remained a very affordable place to do business. Current average market rents are about $875 per month. That's very affordable when compared with the costs per square foot to rent space in a commercial corridor downtown.

The market decided to hold off on enforcement, after COVID, just as we did when considering annual rent increases. To be clear, the market had neither enforced this lease provision nor raised rents in nearly a decade, despite costs going up and foot traffic improving since COVID.

It was explained to all vendors that the Board would be finalizing a Vendor Attendance Policy to ensure clarity and inclusion. This provision, to be open on all market days, has been an expectation in vendor leases for a long time, but it hadn't been enforced in recent years, in part due to COVID.

Regardless, I think it's important to be clear - this is not happening out of the blue or in the way its been described on social media and to some customers in person. Every single HFM vendor, when they signed their current annual lease in 2025, was told they'd have to be open on all market days.

First, I'm very sad to hear this is happening and that Jantzi Cheese is considering leaving the market under these circumstances after decades serving Hamiltonians. Simply put, people love their cheese and want to continue to be able to buy it.

There have been questions raised and misinformation shared about the potential eviction of Jantzi Cheese from the Hamilton Farmers' Market. Residents are emailing me, as Chair of the HFM Board and Ward 2 Councillor, so I think it’s important to share what's happening and how we got here. #HamOnt

At today’s Planning Committee my motion to address the demolition by neglect of our vacant and heritage buildings, seconded by Councillor Nann, will be tabled. We must protect our vacant and heritage buildings and we need the tools to do it. It matters. #HamOnt

Thanks to CityHousing Hamilton staff for organizing today’s celebration and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for coming out to entertain us all.

Pride of place matters to tenants, especially those living in our City run housing buildings. This is the first phase of the plans for this space with the patio and windows next on the list. I’ll keep doing what I can to help and hope to be able to stop by for a game of pool soon.

Tenants at 226 Rebecca Street presented me with a card today thanking me for a motion I brought forward in 2024 to refresh their community room. When I ran in 2018, I committed to helping improve this space, so it was wonderful to see it come to fruition. #HamOnt

This week Council will be voting on the Downtown Revitalization Strategy. Here’s a quick update on what it’s all about and why it matters. We have to get this right. Our downtown depends on it. #HamOnt

Good morning Ward 2! There's a watermain break this morning near Durand Coffee. There will be traffic restrictions on Charlton Avenue West from Caroline Street South to Hess Street South to accommodate this emergency road work. City staff expect the repair to be completed today. #HamOnt

Send me an email at Cameron.Kroetsch@hamilton.ca.