CityLAB Receives Council Endorsement (…also, learn about the City’s budget process!)
Messages of support from CityLAB partners
On October 6th, CityLAB presented to the General Issues Committee, seeking endorsement to move the program from a pilot to a permanent program. Council members discussed the incredible impact CityLAB has had on the local community and unanimously voted in support of our request to make CityLAB permanent. CityLAB originally started in 2017 as a 3-year pilot, and due to its initial success, was extended until May 2022. With Council’s recent endorsement, as well as support from each of our post-secondary partners, the program is set to receive permanent annual funding from the City as part of the regular budget process. Pending the City’s budget deliberations, CityLAB will continue to operate past 2022, bringing together creative minds to address Hamilton’s most complex issues. We are so proud of the faculty, students, and staff who have created 136 + partnerships making Hamilton more vibrant, healthy, and sustainable and look forward to an exciting future!
So, speaking of the budget process, what is it and why is it important? So glad you asked!
As former Vancouver chief planner Brent Toderian says, “The truth about a city’s aspirations isn’t found in its vision. It’s found in its budget.” In other words, the breakdown of Hamilton’s City budget shows where our priorities as a municipality truly lie.
Patrick Byrne presenting to Council
The City’s budget process begins in October and runs through April each year. At budget meetings, councillors have an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification from staff on proposals to fund various programs and departments. There is also the opportunity for delegations (presentations) from members of the public. Regular citizens (like you!) can sign up to speak to your elected representatives about what you think is important for us as a city to fund.
The City is currently beginning the 2022 budget process. Public delegations will be held November 8, 2021 and a second day to be decided in February 2022. Your input into what our city should be like is important! For more information about the budget process, and to get involved, read more on the City’s website.