Hamilton City Council has officially adopted the 2025 Municipal Budget.
Since taking office, Ward 11 Councillor Mark Tadeson has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, fighting to ensure that municipal spending remains efficient and accountable. Over the past three years, he has worked diligently to protect taxpayers from unnecessary financial burdens while supporting strategic investments that deliver real value to residents.
Disappointed with the final outcome of the 2025 Budget tax increase, Councillor Tadeson wrote:
For the past three years, I have always fought for a Hamilton budget that is fiscally responsible, making efforts to reduce unnecessary spending, find savings, and improve productivity, while still delivering essential services. This year was no exception.
In an effort to aggressively lower the residential tax rate, I brought forward three motions to increase affordability for residents. The first was a motion looking at the impact of prioritising capital projects. The second was a motion lowering consultant fees in our operating budget. Third, was a motion right-sizing contingency funds for various projects that would leverage future reserve funds to save money now. I also supported a colleague's motion that would have substantially lowered the budget. None of these motions found favour with the Budget Committee as a whole.
In the end, the residential tax increase was approved at 5.6%. I feel that this year’s budget did not go far enough to address affordability. My priority will always remain to find efficiencies and keep the residential tax increase as low as possible.
Councillor Mark Tadeson, Ward 11
Key Investments in the 2025 Budget
Housing and Homelessness: Expanding Supports for Those in Need
$192 million total investment in housing and homelessness programs.
272 additional emergency shelter beds—an 80% increase—to support those experiencing homelessness.
$4 million toward the Affordable Housing Fund to create 450 new affordable housing units.
$4.2 million in Supportive Housing to develop 435 supportive housing units.
Eliminating Development Charges for not-for-profit housing to boost the creation of affordable homes.
Infrastructure and Transit: Keeping Hamilton Moving
$655 million investment in infrastructure and transit to support city growth.
$190 million for the transportation network, including roads, bridges, traffic, and active transportation.
$75 million toward a new Transit and Maintenance Storage Facility.
$14.1 million for 15 new HSR buses, adding 53,000 service hours to expand transit access.
$3.3 million to plant 20,000 new trees, supporting Hamilton’s climate action goals.
Public Safety & Community Services: Protecting and Strengthening Communities
$62 million for a new Paramedic Central Reporting Station.
$22.6 million for a new Fire and Police Station in Waterdown.
$31.7 million investment to expand Macassa Lodge, adding 20 long-term care beds and redeveloping 44 existing ones.
265 new childcare spaces through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan.
Increased staffing hours at the City’s two long-term care lodges to enhance senior care.
Additional support for 180 children and youth with special needs, ensuring participation in services at no additional cost.
Cybersecurity and Resiliency: Protecting City Systems
Investing in cybersecurity resilience to safeguard City systems and services.
Modernizing digital infrastructure to improve efficiency and customer service.
Councillor Tadeson remains committed to pushing for more efficiencies and cost-saving measures, ensuring that every budget dollar is spent wisely. While investments in core services are often necessary, he continues to work toward long-term financial sustainability that protects taxpayers from undue increases in the years ahead.
For more details on the 2025 Municipal Budget, visit City of Hamilton’s Budget Page.
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