Hamilton’s Mayor and Ontario’s Premier meet to discuss future of the city

After years of contention inside the Ontario legislature, Hamilton’s Mayor Andrea Horwath and Premier Doug Ford sat down together for the first time since the provincial election on Thursday. The meeting happened prior to an announcement regarding job creation in the city. Both Horwath and Ford echoed a welcoming working relationship while the city faces pressing issues.

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“Obviously we have a difference of opinions, but we’re looking to build a relationship that is healthy and productive for Hamiltonians,” Horwath said.

The two politicians spoke to the media during a $15M dollar investment announcement at Canada’s oldest bakery, Bimbo Canada on Nebo Road.

Horwath says she discussed jobs, manufacturing and business development with Premier Ford, but adds, they didn’t touch on specifics when it came to other matters involving Hamilton and the province, like the urban boundary.

READ MORE: City staff oppose Ford governments plan to build 1.5M homes on Greenbelt land

“There are areas where we disagree, but right now we have 34,000 units we have to get ready to build in Hamilton,” Horwath said.

On Wednesday, all provincial opposition leaders penned a letter to Ontario’s auditor general to conduct a value-for-money audit on the Ford government’s decision to open up the Greenbelt. In Hamilton, the move is facing backlash from advocates and even council members including Horwath, citing environmental concerns and cuts in development fees from builders.

READ MORE: Ford government taken to court over Hamilton boundary changes

“I’m going to have to disagree, they’ll get more revenues when the homes and buildings are built,” Ford said. Adding, “nothing would be worse than 300,000 people, every year, showing up to GTA, Hamilton, where they land and not have housing.”

For the second time in less than two months, City of Hamilton officials discovered another sewage leak into the Hamilton Harbour this week. Environment minister David Piccini says the city has been transparent but ordered a sewage system audit back in November.

READ MORE: City of Hamilton finds another sewage leak happening since 1996

Construction for Hamilton’s LRT is slated to begin next year. A project once cancelled by the tories in 2019, claiming operating costs would be too high.

With rising inflation, Ford was asked about it again on Thursday. “I don’t know if it’s unaffordable, but labour costs are going up, materials, a lot is going up, but we want to work with our partners to give Hamilton the transit it needs,” Ford said.

Horwath says, “as mayor of Hamilton I’m going to do everything I can this project stays on track.”