Hamilton budget meeting ends abruptly after protesters fill gallery

A General Issues Committee meeting was held at City Hall on Monday, where Hamiltonians filled the gallery to protest the police budget.

The meeting was abruptly adjourned after a large group of protestors filled the council chamber.

Mayor Andrea Horwath released a statement Tuesday morning concerning the disruption of council during budget deliberations.

Horwarth says she understands that many Hamiltonians are passionate about the budget, including the police budget. However, disrupting a peaceful discussion and refusing to listen to one another cannot replace respectful dialogue.

The release also states that when a situation arises and does not appear to be calming down, council members are advised to leave to avoid further escalation.

READ MORE: Trudeau to propose raise in health-care funds to provinces, territories

A group of people protested against Hamilton Police Service’s proposed $12 million budget increase – a proposal several delegates asked councillors to vote against and instead allocate funds to other areas like housing and the opioid crisis.

Just before 6:30 pm, with just under half of the public delegates still scheduled to speak, the rally made its way inside. Around an hour later, nearly every seat in the gallery was occupied.

Councillors sat in silence as the protestors shouted questions at them demanding they reject the police budget increase.

Councillor Brad Clark called an end to the meeting around 7:40 p.m.

The group of protestors stayed in the chambers until all the councillors had left, insisting that they will be coming back again.