What some Hamiltonians and a local MP want from Trudeau, as city hosts federal meetings

Hamilton-area activists and a local member of Parliament are hoping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hear what they want prioritized while he and his ministers stay in Hamilton for a three-day cabinet retreat.

Matthew Green, the NDP Hamilton Centre member of Parliament, penned an open letter prompted by the series of federal meetings taking place in his riding, saying the city "acts as the canary in the coal mine for Canada's economic and social pressures."

Green listed issues he thinks should be prioritized, including making good on the promise to create the Canada Disability Benefit, taking "massive and immediate federal action" on housing and defending "equal access" to health care.

"The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation was founded on the post-war Victory Homes project that constructed one million much-needed social and rental housing for low-income families, most fully subsidized by the federal government ... now is the time to revisit these types of bold nation-building policies," he said. 

"We need a public healthcare system that follows the principles in the Canada Health Act, including equal access to care for all, a prohibition on charging patients for insured care, a ban on extra billing and preferential access," he added.

Hamilton was also host to various protests Monday, including a rally organized by the Migrant Rights Network, which blocked off King Street near the Hamilton Convention Centre for a few minutes midday.

A crowd of at least 100 people held banners that read "status for all," and "regularize everyone."

They also chanted various slogans including "no chefs, no food" — a reference to John Mulwa, a Hamilton chef facing deportation after seeking refuge from violence in Kenya.

"The government is good, the leadership is good, but I'm just requesting them to consider the people who are here and working hard," Mulwa told CBC Hamilton on Monday.

"If somebody comes into the country, works hard, stays out of trouble, I feel it is only fair to allow them to work and help them grow this country."

Another demonstration took place nearby, in front of Art Gallery of Hamilton, led by the Hamilton Coalition to Stop The War.

The group criticized the Trudeau government's response to the war in Ukraine and federal government's agreement to buy a fleet of 88 F-35 jet fighters that will cost billions of dollars.

Doug Brown, co-chair of the group, said the money could be spent on other priorities instead of the military and also said the jets will work against the country's climate goals.

"The government's F-35 purchase is a terrible waste of taxpayers' money," he said.