Newcomers in Hamilton learn how city budgets impact them — and how to have a say

Before last week, Nathalie Joseph wasn’t sure how much her opinions about Hamilton would matter, having arrived in the city only four months ago.

She told CBC Hamilton she has ideas about housing, and the challenges in finding it, and how newcomers could be better supported to get into education or training programs for a good career in Canada. She wants to be a chef and open her own business.

But after participating in a workshop on how city budgets work on Nov. 12, which included information on how to advocate for particular issues by delegating to city council, Joseph says she now feels empowered to speak out.

The event was put together by the YWCA, Refuge Centre for Newcomer Health and Sisters in Sync, and hosted by Pascale Marchand, an employee of Ward 4 councillor Tammy Hwang.  It was held at the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, across the street from city hall.

Joseph, who came from the Caribbean, but didn’t want to say which country, says she’ll now know how reach out to decision-makers when she has input to share.

And she feels like there is a system in place that will treat her like any other resident.

“We have someone to listen to us,” she said after the event. “I'm a timid person, but if I have something to say for my community, for newcomers, I will say it.”

Marchand walked the packed room of about 40 people – many of whom were in their first few months in Canada – through what issues fall under municipal control, including:

Marchand noted that the public library, police, paramedics and water treatment plants are also among the services paid for by taxes and included in the city budget. 

She indulged the crowd with charades-like performances, demonstrating what to do if an a person come across an animal with rabies, or someone having a medical crisis.

Marchand shared information about the city's budget schedule, including when residents can share their views on the budget by delegating to council.

The two public delegation sessions for the 2026 budget are on Nov. 17 and Jan. 19.

Mellon Matha Nakahuki, who arrived here last year, said she learned quite a bit about how little control the city has of rental costs, something she previously believed were set by the municipality. 

Nakahuki, who is from Uganda but lived in Dubai for seven years before coming to Canada, said knowing what services are funded by property taxes gives her clarity on why they are necessary — even if they seem high.