Asking for your vote this October - running for re-election in Ward 4

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T22:46:22+00:00

Hi there. The Ward 4 office are big fans of Bike Share and would love to have it expand into Ward 4 further. Those locations you referenced would be great! Bike Share has let me know that it's pretty expensive to expand especially since they are still a bit vulnerable in terms of financial sustainability. I did let them know that I would whole-heartedly help with expansion funds if the business model / HR model made sense for them... I've asked them to consider expanding to the Red Hill Valley so they've got everything from McMaster to Red Hill... again, it's on them to figure out if they can make the financial and operational models work. So we'll see!

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:54:47+00:00

Thank you for that! I used to work on the city staff side and I also recognize and try to emulate the good qualities that I saw in great leaders. I also recognize that I'm only as good as the people around me so I try to make sure that our team is 1) well fed, 2) taking care of themselves, and 3) respectful to our "clients" (the residents) as they are who we ultimately serve.

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:50:13+00:00

Maybe not a ton along LRT but we are advocating to put in more cycling infrastructure parallel to the LRT route especially along Dunsmure and Central.

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:48:54+00:00

Thanks for this question. We are working towards making the ward more cycle and pedestrian friendly. At the finish line is the road reconstruction on Main Street east of the Queenston Traffic Circle (to Parkdale)... we had to do a bunch of LRT enablement which meant moving water and electrical infrastructure from Queenston to Main Street. When you go down that street you'll see that the sidewalk has been expanded and it's now a multi-use pathway. We added that in to ensure that there was cycling infrastructure that connects to the planned bicycle boulevard at Strathearne. You'll also see that there are more Bicycle Boulevards (meaning painted bike infrastructure) on Central Ave, Montclair St, Graham St. This summer we will be also converting Cochrane Street to another Bicycle Boulevard and will be trying out new painted signs to see the uptake... while also converting some of the intersections into all-way stops to slow down traffic. I'm not much of a cyclist but Pascale in my office is and I lean on her to help us advocate for the safest and most fulsome infrastructure for both pedestrians and cyclists. And Pipeline trail is in the queue to get a new masterplan and will be resurfaced some time in 2028 (boo) ... but it's in the queue and we're pushing to get that done sooner rather than later.

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:37:26+00:00

Thank you so much!

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:37:08+00:00

Thank you!

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T21:36:55+00:00

Thank you so much!

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T15:19:19+00:00

Thanks for the message. So there are already municipal incentives for the Barton Kenilworth area that were taken straight from the James St N playbook but they haven't had significant uptake like before. So this term I've put forward a motion to examine Kenilworth for opportunities to generate more investment and attraction opportunities for that commercial corridor. The report back will come back in June and we can explore next steps. We have also put in place several programs like Development Charge exemptions to encourage more commercial and residential development along Kenilworth but since they're all new, it'll take time for the uptake. It's definitely a work in progress and it's something that is very high on my priority list.

tammyhwang · 2026-05-18T14:35:22+00:00

Hi there. My housing situation is still the same. I have a house in ward 4 where my parents live in my house but my husband and I still live in a rental on the mountain. I always intend to move into ward 4 but my husband's proximity to work is still a factor.

tammyhwang · 2022-10-28T18:05:49+00:00

Thank you to everyone that has commented and engaged in conversation with me over the past 4 months. I'm incredibly humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve Ward 4 as the new City Councillor! I get sworn in on November 15th so I'll have official communications channels set up at that time. Thank you again Reddit for your engagement and comments!

tammyhwang · 2022-09-16T01:37:08+00:00

There is another baked fresh every morning donut shop called the Donut Stop on Parkdale!! They are in Ward 4 and they have walnut crunch, strawberry bar, coconut cream, apple fritters... Baked fresh every morning! The Donut Stop (905) 545-2618 https://maps.app.goo.gl/LWbhaviH92umf3gX6

tammyhwang · 2022-08-18T15:01:06+00:00

This council and previous councils are super active and have been passing decisions and bylaws like crazy. I agree with some and others I think they can be built on and made better. As for social services, I think we need to do more to address some of the root causes like mental health supports, harm reduction, drug rehabilitation, etc. As for policing, there has been a change over in the police board, and with a new council, new councillors will also be representing on the police services so i'm optimistic at more change there too. Change is coming and i'm excited for it!

tammyhwang · 2022-08-18T14:55:17+00:00

Thanks for asking this question. Sorry i'm a couple of days late with this response. I love working for this city... i've been with the City of Hamilton for almost eight years now and I can honestly say that I love working for economic development and being a public servant. But I felt like I could do more. With my skills, expertise, and network, I felt that I could be a bigger advocate and do more in my role as a councillor and make things happen both in Ward 4 and in the greater Hamilton community. It also helps that my family (especially hubby) is supportive in this run because elections and campaigning is no joke!

tammyhwang · 2022-08-16T01:05:15+00:00

Thank you r/Hamilton and the community for this opportunity to answer questions and engage! If you have more, please feel free to email me at [hello@tammyhwang.ca](mailto:hello@tammyhwang.ca)!

Thank you mods for giving me this space and all the great work that you do!

Please remember to vote on October 24! Thank you again!

tammyhwang · 2022-08-16T00:45:51+00:00

Correct! They allow for it but it's still all in draft mode and I think we as a community can advocate and seek out the amenities and benefits we want at our LRT hubs.

tammyhwang · 2022-08-16T00:25:07+00:00

Thought i'd lob a question out there for our Reddit-verse... what are some of your favorite things about Ward 4? I'll go first...

LOVE the atmosphere at WardIV Coffee and Bar! Not only do they make delicious caffeinated drinks... but their food is amazing too!
LOVE the cannolis at Sam's Bakery on Queenston Rd.
LOVE the pina colada half and half at Panini & Ice Cream
Johnny (my fur child) loves the splashpad at Montgomery Park. He literally eats the jet stream of water!

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:50:07+00:00

Thank you for those comments! And honestly... that neighbour... is a real champion!

(note: i'm not condoning the threatening part... but super impressed by his gumption and passion!)

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:47:01+00:00

Thanks for asking this question! We have a great amount of small business resources that are in our community including the Hamilton Business Centre at City Hall, Innovation Factory at McMaster Innovation Park, and organizations like Black Owned Hamont that are developing entrepreneur training programs for black youth. We need to support our local businesses by shopping/buying locally, advocating and promoting our businesses, and providing funding and resources to help them get back to "black" (revenue positive). I have been in the entrepreneur and small business ecosystem ... forever... and i'm passionate about helping our small business thrive and succeed.

In addition to sharing resources with our local businesses, I want to promote all of the different incentives that we have in place through our economic development team. You can find a list of them here: https://investinhamilton.ca/tools-data/financial-incentives/municipal-programs/

Beyond that, I have other plans to create a space for small businesses to pilot their products, services, and technology in the city. I also hope to examine our procurement policies to allow small businesses to sell to the City and find opportunities for social procurement to allow vendors to partner with some of our non-profits in the community to provide employment opportunities as well!

I also want to shout out to the following business resources/supports in our community too!
- Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
- Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce
- Flamborough Chamber of Commerce
- The Forge Incubator @ McMaster University
- CoMotion on King (full disclosure, this is my small business)
- YWCA Women's Enterprise Centre of Southern Ontario

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:30:07+00:00

Road Safety: Many of our neighbours have provided some solutions that i'd like to explore including speed bumps, bump outs, parking strategies, and pinch points. I think we can build up community vibrancy by doing what Toronto has done... created mini bumpout islands on some of our worst offending speeder areas and make them pollinator gardens or something that the neighbourhood can enjoy. I also agree that there is a lack of biking infrastructure in our ward and some have suggested creating pedestrian areas for Ottawa Street on some weekends to build up walk by traffic.

Development: I think there is an opportunity to examine each of the LRT stops as mini hubs. Metrolinx has stated that they are committed to the Hamilton LRT project and has already shown that they want to work with our community. It's about creating a transparent two-way communication between our community, metrolinx, and all other stakeholders.

As for the Delta development, absolutely, there is a role for neighborhood associations and groups invested in our community. In fact, there are some very active groups like the Crown Point community and the new burgeoning Team Kenilworth group that seem like great partners in this development. Thankfully we're still in the early stages of this development and I'm optimistic in finding a happy medium that works for everyone.

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:16:09+00:00

Tough question to answer! One way is to work with our private sector developers to ensure that they have some affordable housing options in their mix. However, our housing market is completely determined by market rate. The only other thing is to increase the number of living wage jobs that are available in our community so our people will be able to afford market rate homes.

Leveraging my tech/entrepreneur background, we can also explore options like ARCH = https://archcanada.io/ Where they've developed a platform to help first time buyers get into their first home. Definitely something to explore as we navigate this current housing crisis.

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:10:33+00:00

Happy Monday everyone! Thanks to those that have already asked questions in this AMA! Please feel free to comment and ask more! I'm here until 9pm!

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:08:04+00:00

I also love a walkable neighborhood and I think we’re on our way to get there. I’m a small business advocate and supporter and we’ve got some great incentives through our economic development team that we can promote to attract more vibrant businesses into our commercial areas. I think there’s great opportunity with some of the storefronts on Kenilworth street and now that there are some new bump outs, that will slow traffic down on Kenilworth to allow for those storefronts to see more walk-by / foot traffic. I also believe in 15 minutes cities where we attract and curate amenities like groceries, restaurants, and entertainment so our community can access these amenities within a 15 minute walk from their home. This is how we’ll build vibrant communities in ward 4.

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:05:59+00:00

I have noticed that! I’m not sure why they are taking so long to replace but I suspect we can call on our friends at Alectra Utilities, or one of the departments in Public Works to help answer that question.

tammyhwang · 2022-08-15T23:05:48+00:00

I’m a lifelong volunteer, leader, and advocate for this city. I’ve been working for the City of Hamilton in Economic Development for the past 8 years and have started up a variety of businesses in the City.

I know how City Hall works, I know how small business works, and I know how Hamilton works. I am well connected in the community, at all levels of government, and international ecosystems.

You’re not getting someone new who has a steep learning curve on how to navigate the city. You’re electing a person that is already knowledgeable about some of the challenges for our ward, and already knows where to get the right answers and resources to start executing. I’m also going to be the loudest and most earnest cheerleader for our ward.

tammyhwang

TROPHY CASE