Priorities

Lower taxes, safer streets, responsible development, and real investment in our parks and community spaces. Here is what has been delivered this term — and what comes next.

Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility

I have never supported a property tax increase above inflation, and I never will. Families are already facing rising costs. A 23% tax increase under this Council is unacceptable.

  • Fought the City’s tax-and-spend approach while protecting Ward 5’s fair share of investment.
  • Opposed the Vacant Unit Tax, an unnecessary burden on property owners.
  • Supported the 49-year Hamilton Airport lease, securing $400 million in long-term investment.
  • Finalized the TD Coliseum deal, working with Council and staff to deliver a major investment to Hamilton.
  • Opposed $60 million in expedited bike lanes.
  • Eliminated the City’s Poet program and opposed unnecessary taxpayer spending.
  • Oppose municipal funding for LRT cost overruns. Support improving HSR transit citywide, including restoring the cancelled 58 bus.
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon
Volunteers sweeping the Hamilton-Burlington canal piers with the lift bridge behind them
Matt Francis in period uniform addressing the crowd at the Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactment
Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622 in Stoney Creek
Matt Francis speaking at a secondary school graduation ceremony
Battle of Stoney Creek re-enactors in period uniform beside a field cannon

Community Safety

  • Fought to end the City’s encampment protocol and restore safety in our parks, while connecting people to shelter and supports.
  • Delivered traffic-calming measures, including speed humps, in neighbourhoods and all school zones.
  • Secured a new pedestrian crossing at Centennial Parkway and Felker Avenue.
  • Secured new bus shelter locations at Centennial/Felker and Beach Boulevard/Van Wagners.
  • Delivered four raised pedestrian crosswalks along Beach Boulevard.
  • Pushed for more traffic calming and radar enforcement, while maintaining a direct relationship with police on neighbourhood safety.
  • Made beach-trail bylaw enforcement permanent.
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant
Matt Francis on a Merry Christmas float in the Santa Claus Parade
Matt Francis on a city pedestrian bridge
Students gathered around Matt Francis in a school gymnasium
Matt Francis on a Ward 5 street with a young supporter in a Francis jersey
Matt Francis at a local Stoney Creek restaurant

Responsible Development & Affordable Housing

  • Approved thousands of new homes while protecting the character of Ward 5 neighbourhoods.
  • Successfully pushed the Eastgate development to comply with City bylaws – cutting its original proposal from 40+ stories in half.
  • Won the Glen Echo appeal at the OLT, stopping an inappropriate high-density development in the middle of an established neighbourhood.
  • Sent the Greenhill Foodland development to the OLT, securing more commercial space at ground level.
  • Opposed the City’s $5 million tiny homes cost overrun and pushed for a better approach using local labour.
  • Fighting for alternatives to the 5 & 13 Lake Avenue parking lot, including the Riverdale Community Centre and Red Rose Motel sites for affordable housing.
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game
Matt Francis beside the sign for the newly renamed McDougall's Bridge
The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre and its exterior mural
Matt Francis with children and the Easter Bunny at a community Easter event
Ceremonial puck drop between two players at a minor hockey game

Parks & Playgrounds

Invested in Ward 5 parks and recreation, delivering new playgrounds, upgrades and major redevelopment projects.

  • Upgraded Father Sean O’Sullivan children’s playground.
  • Replaced playgrounds at Riverdale East and Warden Park.
  • Renamed R.L. Hyslop Park to honour its former school and longtime principal, with a full redevelopment planned for 2027.
  • Created Jim Howlett Park, honouring a longtime Beach resident, environmental champion and true Hamiltonian.
  • Completed Green Acres Playground in July 2026.
  • Expanding Dover Park with new swings in Fall 2026.
  • Glen Castle Playground coming Fall 2026.
  • Kinsmen Park redevelopment planned for 2027.
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup
Matt Francis beside the Jim Howlett Park sign on Beach Boulevard
Children playing basketball on a neighbourhood outdoor court
A new playground structure with swings and climbing equipment in Ward 5
Bags of collected litter beside the Greenhill Park sign after a community cleanup

Community Spaces, Heritage & Events

  • Upgraded Stoney Creek Optimist Club washrooms, with new fencing coming in 2027.
  • Secured $100,000 for Riverdale Community Centre upgrades, including safety improvements.
  • Completed the Sir Wilfrid Laurier gym expansion and renovation.
  • Secured $30,000 for the Riverdale Community Garden expansion.
  • Replaced the Jones Street Bridge and renamed it McDougall’s Bridge.
  • Designated the Powerhouse as a heritage building.
  • Created the Veterans’ Crosswalk at the cenotaph.
  • Supported major Ward 5 events, including the Santa Claus Parade, Boots in the Creek, fireworks and the Re-Enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek.
  • Helped bring back the Re-Enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek, now attracting 10,000+ visitors and supporting local businesses.
  • Supported the reopening and revitalization of the Hamilton-Burlington Canal Piers.
  • Fought to keep downtown Stoney Creek parking free.
  • Protected weekly waste collection and supported annual community cleanups.
  • Delivered 2,240 pounds of food through the Sink a Ship food drive to the Stoney Creek Food Bank.
  • Secured free soccer for 30 children from Kenora through East Hamilton Soccer.
  • Fought to save the Stoney Creek arena from closure.
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena
Matt Francis carrying a wreath in the Remembrance Day procession
Matt Francis planting a tree with a shovel
The Veterans' Crosswalk at the cenotaph, painted with a soldier's silhouette and the words Lest We Forget
Volunteers and guests gathered at a seniors' community lunch
Families on the ice at a public skate at the Stoney Creek arena

Road Resurfacing

54 Ward 5 streets completed or approved for resurfacing since the beginning of this term.

  • Applewood
  • Avalon
  • Bellamy
  • Berkendale
  • Brandow
  • Calvert
  • Capri
  • Cartwright
  • Catalina
  • Champlain
  • Charles
  • Clapham
  • Colcrest
  • Crystal
  • Dawson
  • Delewana
  • Dover
  • Eastport
  • Evelyn
  • Fairholme
  • Galbraith
  • Garland
  • Glen Park
  • Grays N
  • Highridge
  • Honeywell
  • Isle
  • Jason
  • Keefer
  • Kenora N
  • Kentley
  • King
  • Lady
  • Lawrence
  • Lord
  • Manor Place
  • Marcella
  • Neil
  • Passmore
  • Pinard
  • Prins
  • Randall
  • Riverbank
  • Rivercrest
  • Seabrooke
  • Selway
  • St. Steven
  • Sunbrite
  • Summerscrest
  • Tara
  • Valley
  • Vincent
  • Vittorito
  • Wardrope

The Fight for 5 & 13 Lake Avenue

residents at the community meeting
200residents at the community meeting
signatures on the community petition
3,000+signatures on the community petition
tie votes — twice — before the Mayor’s veto
8–8tie votes — twice — before the Mayor’s veto

This fight started with the people of Stoney Creek.

When the City first proposed giving up 5 & 13 Lake Avenue, I hosted a community meeting that nearly 200 residents attended. The message was clear and unanimous: we did not want to lose this parking lot.

And there’s a reason this parking lot matters so much.

It supports the businesses in our downtown and the Stoney Creek BIA. It provides valuable parking for our Legion and the many people who visit the businesses and services around it. Seniors rely on it to get to medical appointments at the medical building. It is a well-used parking lot that is often full, especially during peak times and community events.

This isn’t empty land sitting unused. It is an important part of how our downtown functions.

So we fought.

More than 3,000 residents signed our community petition. Council then voted against the proposal twice. Both votes ended in an 8–8 tie. Despite Council rejecting the proposal, the Mayor used her veto to overturn Council’s decision.

I haven’t stopped fighting since.

While the City continued trying to find a provider for the site, I continued looking for alternative locations. With a new Council, I will bring this back on day one and fight to reverse the decision.

Affordable housing is important. We need more of it, and I will continue pushing for solutions, including alternatives like the Red Rose Motel, the Dominic Agostino Riverdale Recreation Centre and other locations across Hamilton.

We can build the housing our community needs without giving up 5 & 13 Lake Avenue.

I started this fight with the people of Stoney Creek, and I’m going to keep fighting until we get it right.

Matt Francis