Graham Crawford
@grahamcrawford.bsky.social
A critical optimist who likes to discuss issues and opportunities affecting Hamilton, Ontario.
Thanks to Kojo Damptey for his op ed in today’s Hamilton Spectator about the Mayor’s decision to step away from the Hamilton Police Service Board.
October 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Thanks to Kojo Damptey for his op ed in today’s Hamilton Spectator about the Mayor’s decision to step away from the Hamilton Police Service Board.
Scheduling is hard.
October 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Scheduling is hard.
The timelines and sequence of events raise concerns about how the Hamilton Police Service handles legitimate complaints of racism.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
October 1, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The timelines and sequence of events raise concerns about how the Hamilton Police Service handles legitimate complaints of racism.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
Horwath tells The Hamilton Spectator "I want to make sure that if I'm going to be on the board of directors of an organization that I'm able to give it the time, the thoughtfulness, the preparation, the engagement that it deserves. I have not been able to do that from Day 1.”
We already knew that.
We already knew that.
September 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Horwath tells The Hamilton Spectator "I want to make sure that if I'm going to be on the board of directors of an organization that I'm able to give it the time, the thoughtfulness, the preparation, the engagement that it deserves. I have not been able to do that from Day 1.”
We already knew that.
We already knew that.
I had lunch on Friday afternoon in downtown Hamilton with my good friend Laura Babcock at The French.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
September 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I had lunch on Friday afternoon in downtown Hamilton with my good friend Laura Babcock at The French.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
Reposted by Graham Crawford
This resignation comes just ahead of discussions around the annual $245m budget. Apart from the fact the Mayor doesn’t have a good attendance record at the Board, I don’t get it. She sits on the fewest number of committees of any Council member. Scheduling conflicts are within her control. #HamOnt
#HamOnt Please see the Statement below regarding Mayor Horwath stepping down from the Police Services Board.
September 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This resignation comes just ahead of discussions around the annual $245m budget. Apart from the fact the Mayor doesn’t have a good attendance record at the Board, I don’t get it. She sits on the fewest number of committees of any Council member. Scheduling conflicts are within her control. #HamOnt
Reposted by Graham Crawford
This is what happens when you schedule meetings with almost no notice or planning. I hope the Mayor isn’t going to be making decisions about the budget for our downtown based on feedback from 7 people. And this was the scheduling conflict for yesterday’s police board meeting. 😐 #HamOnt
It is the final public town hall for this round of City of Hamilton budget engagement. Session 7 of 7.
Seven members of the public are in the room. #yhmcc
Seven members of the public are in the room. #yhmcc
September 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This is what happens when you schedule meetings with almost no notice or planning. I hope the Mayor isn’t going to be making decisions about the budget for our downtown based on feedback from 7 people. And this was the scheduling conflict for yesterday’s police board meeting. 😐 #HamOnt
So Mayor Horwath resigns from the Hamilton Police Service Board just as the 2026 police budget gets reviewed at the HPS Board meetings. She couldn’t even bother to show up,in person at yesterday’s HPS Board meeting to do so.
September 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
So Mayor Horwath resigns from the Hamilton Police Service Board just as the 2026 police budget gets reviewed at the HPS Board meetings. She couldn’t even bother to show up,in person at yesterday’s HPS Board meeting to do so.
But I don’t see you at today’s GIC meeting if Council, so the Deputy Mayor is running the meeting. Why? One is a PR visit, the other is where the work gets done.
📺 Great to join Annette and the CHCH Morning Live team today for my monthly update on what’s happening in Hamilton and what’s ahead.
Thanks as always for the warm welcome - and it was nice to see Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward as well!
Thanks as always for the warm welcome - and it was nice to see Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward as well!
September 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
But I don’t see you at today’s GIC meeting if Council, so the Deputy Mayor is running the meeting. Why? One is a PR visit, the other is where the work gets done.
Reposted by Graham Crawford
Some food for thought, even from Google AI.
August 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Some food for thought, even from Google AI.
Thanks Cameron Kroetsch for this. I’m glad to see the work done by CHH, its Board, and staff have resulted in this action, despite CN Rail slowing everything down. Finally we’ll have a cleared site ready for redevelopment. And more homes.
The demolition of the vacant housing at Jamesville will start in early September. Thanks to CityHousing Hamilton staff for working with the developer to get this done. And special thanks to CHH President, Councillor @nrindernann.bsky.social, for working with me to help move this forward. #HamOnt
August 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Thanks Cameron Kroetsch for this. I’m glad to see the work done by CHH, its Board, and staff have resulted in this action, despite CN Rail slowing everything down. Finally we’ll have a cleared site ready for redevelopment. And more homes.
Reposted by Graham Crawford
Interestingly, the post Greco made calling for a military coup was made in response to a post by Tom Quiggin, a key figure during the Ottawa occupation and former national intelligence analyst. You can read about him in this story I wrote for the Star at the time: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Security expert. Mountie. Soldier: Meet three men working with the ‘Freedom convoy’
One wrote a fictional novel, depicting the death of the prime minister
www.thestar.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Interestingly, the post Greco made calling for a military coup was made in response to a post by Tom Quiggin, a key figure during the Ottawa occupation and former national intelligence analyst. You can read about him in this story I wrote for the Star at the time: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Chief Bergen needs to ensure this ‘investigation’ happens quickly and he needs to make a public statement as Chief ASAP now and after the investigation. Enough with the faceless media releases. IMO Bergen hides when there’s an HPS problem, but loves a photo op when he’s got a point he wants to make.
This guy is one sick and twisted individual, he praises Hitler.🤬
Hamilton constable suspended after posting content from extremist groups, following CBC investigation
Police say Const. Renato Greco was suspended with pay after CBC shared 'disturbing' posts
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hamilton constable suspended after posting content from extremist groups, following CBC investigation
Police say Const. Renato Greco was suspended with pay after CBC shared 'disturbing' posts
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hamilton constable suspended after CBC shared 'disturbing' posts from extremist groups | CBC News
Hamilton police suspended a longtime officer with pay after CBC Hamilton informed them he had re-shared extremist content on social media and posted that police and military should stage a coup.
www.cbc.ca
August 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Chief Bergen needs to ensure this ‘investigation’ happens quickly and he needs to make a public statement as Chief ASAP now and after the investigation. Enough with the faceless media releases. IMO Bergen hides when there’s an HPS problem, but loves a photo op when he’s got a point he wants to make.
Reposted by Graham Crawford
There are many more questions about how and why this deal went down, but I hope this offers some further insight on my thoughts about the downtown entertainment precinct. A deal with this level of impact has to work for everyone who calls our downtown home. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
Downtown entertainment district project must lift everyone in our community
In the past, some on council have been far too accommodating to those promising downtown projects.
www.thespec.com
August 2, 2025 at 12:03 PM
There are many more questions about how and why this deal went down, but I hope this offers some further insight on my thoughts about the downtown entertainment precinct. A deal with this level of impact has to work for everyone who calls our downtown home. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Graham Crawford
This was a big week for new pedestrian safety infrastructure in Ward 2. Motions to spend more than $3m for these improvements were approved at Public Works on Monday. Here’s an example of one improvement that’s coming next year. #HamOnt
July 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This was a big week for new pedestrian safety infrastructure in Ward 2. Motions to spend more than $3m for these improvements were approved at Public Works on Monday. Here’s an example of one improvement that’s coming next year. #HamOnt
I wonder if,after 37 years in the same seat, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson might want to read this article?
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
July 26, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I wonder if,after 37 years in the same seat, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson might want to read this article?
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
Thanks for making a difference Councillor, just like you said you would. Rare for a politician to provide a detailed platform. Or to remind us annually of those commitments. Rarer still for a politician to make it happen. Lots more to do, & big challenges ahead, but I’m impressed with progress
Sidewalks are being repaired across Ward 2 again this summer. Seniors, folks with disabilities, parents pushing strollers, and everyone who wants to get around downtown deserves better sidewalks. I’ve invested in this as a priority this term to catch up on the backlog. #HamOnt
July 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Thanks for making a difference Councillor, just like you said you would. Rare for a politician to provide a detailed platform. Or to remind us annually of those commitments. Rarer still for a politician to make it happen. Lots more to do, & big challenges ahead, but I’m impressed with progress
Reposted by Graham Crawford
I think the "downtown" area suggested includes Ward 2 and parts of Wards 1 and 3, which is where the 53,000 figure comes from. The density in Ward 2 also accounts for some of this. Despite that, the number of shootings this year so far is 22.
July 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I think the "downtown" area suggested includes Ward 2 and parts of Wards 1 and 3, which is where the 53,000 figure comes from. The density in Ward 2 also accounts for some of this. Despite that, the number of shootings this year so far is 22.
Thanks to Hamilton Spectator for a story on the facts and feelings about downtown (and citywide) safety. As someone who lives downtown, be wary of those who push a fear mongering narrative. It’s an urban environment, for sure, but it’s hardly the hellscape some are pushing. Again, IMO.
July 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Thanks to Hamilton Spectator for a story on the facts and feelings about downtown (and citywide) safety. As someone who lives downtown, be wary of those who push a fear mongering narrative. It’s an urban environment, for sure, but it’s hardly the hellscape some are pushing. Again, IMO.
Love these updates. They all add up. Thanks Councillor.
City staff invited me to join them today as they placed barrier stones at one of the entrances to Durand Park to ensure it’s safer for kids exiting near the traffic lane on Charlton Avenue West. #HamOnt #Kroetschville
July 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Love these updates. They all add up. Thanks Councillor.
Reposted by Graham Crawford
Wow, look at that headline Andrew!
July 16, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Wow, look at that headline Andrew!
Happy to see this coverage in @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social regarding @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social vindication and reappointment to the Hamilton Police Service Board.
July 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Happy to see this coverage in @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social regarding @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social vindication and reappointment to the Hamilton Police Service Board.