Ward 2 Hamilton
@ward2hamilton.bsky.social
This is the official account of the office of Ward 2 City Councillor @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social; you can reach us at [email protected]
I share the concerns raised by people, across the city, about the timing of the erection of this fence in front of the Salvation Army. The terrible message it sends is that Hamiltonians who are experiencing homelessness should be hidden from sight. It's not ok to treat anyone like this. #HamOnt
December 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I share the concerns raised by people, across the city, about the timing of the erection of this fence in front of the Salvation Army. The terrible message it sends is that Hamiltonians who are experiencing homelessness should be hidden from sight. It's not ok to treat anyone like this. #HamOnt
At last week's Hamilton Police Service Board meeting, we took a big step forward. After years of advocating for reductions to the police budget, the Board reduced this year's request from 9.48% to 6.81%, just as Member Menezes and I asked them to do in February 2024. #HamOnt
November 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
At last week's Hamilton Police Service Board meeting, we took a big step forward. After years of advocating for reductions to the police budget, the Board reduced this year's request from 9.48% to 6.81%, just as Member Menezes and I asked them to do in February 2024. #HamOnt
I've heard from local restaurant and business owners who tell me they were much busier when McCartney was here. I'm glad small businesses are seeing an uptick. As a former small business owner, I care deeply about the shared success of our downtown core and every business that calls it home. #HamOnt
November 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I've heard from local restaurant and business owners who tell me they were much busier when McCartney was here. I'm glad small businesses are seeing an uptick. As a former small business owner, I care deeply about the shared success of our downtown core and every business that calls it home. #HamOnt
Thanks to YWCA Hamilton’s Medora Uppal for opening up about this and calling out the problems we’re facing as a community. The solutions aren’t easy, but we must continue to confront gender based violence. I stand with the women most impacted and I’ll continue to do what I can to help. #HamOnt
November 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Thanks to YWCA Hamilton’s Medora Uppal for opening up about this and calling out the problems we’re facing as a community. The solutions aren’t easy, but we must continue to confront gender based violence. I stand with the women most impacted and I’ll continue to do what I can to help. #HamOnt
In another post he referred to the Mayor as “Andrea Whorebath”. Homophobia, hateful slurs, and misogyny on public display, though some of his posts have now been edited or removed to hide these views. Thankfully, I kept the screenshots.
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
In another post he referred to the Mayor as “Andrea Whorebath”. Homophobia, hateful slurs, and misogyny on public display, though some of his posts have now been edited or removed to hide these views. Thankfully, I kept the screenshots.
November 15 marked a full three years in my role as Councillor for Ward 2. Every year, around this time, I write about another year gone by, what I’ve learned in this job, what people tell me when they see me at a meeting, stop me in the street, or share their thoughts with me in an email. #HamOnt
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
November 15 marked a full three years in my role as Councillor for Ward 2. Every year, around this time, I write about another year gone by, what I’ve learned in this job, what people tell me when they see me at a meeting, stop me in the street, or share their thoughts with me in an email. #HamOnt
Ward 2 was a marshy plain feeding into the bay, with streams, waterfalls, and boggy inlets reaching as far south as King Street, and bay water so clear you could see the sand at the bottom. Urban growth, industry, and agriculture fragmented this ecosystem, however, causing widespread habitat loss.
November 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Ward 2 was a marshy plain feeding into the bay, with streams, waterfalls, and boggy inlets reaching as far south as King Street, and bay water so clear you could see the sand at the bottom. Urban growth, industry, and agriculture fragmented this ecosystem, however, causing widespread habitat loss.
Trees such as tulip tree, sassafras, cucumber tree, pawpaw, Kentucky coffee-tree, and black gum once thrived across this landscape. This habitat also supported rich songbird life, including Acadian Flycatchers, Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, and Louisiana Waterthrushes.
November 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Trees such as tulip tree, sassafras, cucumber tree, pawpaw, Kentucky coffee-tree, and black gum once thrived across this landscape. This habitat also supported rich songbird life, including Acadian Flycatchers, Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, and Louisiana Waterthrushes.
This region makes up only 1% of Canada’s landmass yet supports the country’s highest number of native tree species. Early botanists named it “Carolinian” after noting similarities to forests in the Carolinas, with warm conditions that allow species found nowhere else in Canada.
November 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This region makes up only 1% of Canada’s landmass yet supports the country’s highest number of native tree species. Early botanists named it “Carolinian” after noting similarities to forests in the Carolinas, with warm conditions that allow species found nowhere else in Canada.
This week's heritage post was inspired by a stroll along the escarpment. Before European settlement, southern Ontario was predominantly forested with mature, diverse hardwood forests in the Carolinian Life Zone, where the climate creates a home for many rare species of plants and animals. #HamOnt
November 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This week's heritage post was inspired by a stroll along the escarpment. Before European settlement, southern Ontario was predominantly forested with mature, diverse hardwood forests in the Carolinian Life Zone, where the climate creates a home for many rare species of plants and animals. #HamOnt
Our streets continue to be unsafe for the people who need to use them, every day, to walk, cycle, and roll in our city. The death of a crossing guard, a City employee who is here to protect all of us on our roads, is devastating. #HamOnt
November 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Our streets continue to be unsafe for the people who need to use them, every day, to walk, cycle, and roll in our city. The death of a crossing guard, a City employee who is here to protect all of us on our roads, is devastating. #HamOnt
In between Committee meetings, I dropped off some responses I wrote to student letters after our Grade 5 field trip last week. Big takeaways - students valued the opportunity to participate in the horseshoe and to see what the City does up close. Next year is going to be a blast! #HamOnt
November 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In between Committee meetings, I dropped off some responses I wrote to student letters after our Grade 5 field trip last week. Big takeaways - students valued the opportunity to participate in the horseshoe and to see what the City does up close. Next year is going to be a blast! #HamOnt
The downtown Pagoda location closed in 2012, but the brothers' legacy lives on. The Pagoda sign is one of two heritage neon signs in the Gore Park area. It gained heritage protection by the City in 2020. For information on the Pagoda sign, visit thepublicrecord.ca/2018/04/pago....
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The downtown Pagoda location closed in 2012, but the brothers' legacy lives on. The Pagoda sign is one of two heritage neon signs in the Gore Park area. It gained heritage protection by the City in 2020. For information on the Pagoda sign, visit thepublicrecord.ca/2018/04/pago....
By 1975, the Spectator said the Pagoda was "not only a good Chinese restaurant; it’s an institution". The reporter mentioned travelling from St. Catharines regularly just to have dinner beneath its glowing red lanterns.
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
By 1975, the Spectator said the Pagoda was "not only a good Chinese restaurant; it’s an institution". The reporter mentioned travelling from St. Catharines regularly just to have dinner beneath its glowing red lanterns.
In 1961, the Lee brothers opened a second location on Concession Street and in 1978, the Lee's brother in law, Danny Chan, opened Chan’s Restaurant in Dundas. Victor Lee taught Danny "not to be greedy" saying high prices and shortcuts are easy but will "eventually spell the end of a business".
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In 1961, the Lee brothers opened a second location on Concession Street and in 1978, the Lee's brother in law, Danny Chan, opened Chan’s Restaurant in Dundas. Victor Lee taught Danny "not to be greedy" saying high prices and shortcuts are easy but will "eventually spell the end of a business".
Among its earliest staff was Moy Seto, who came to Canada in 1912 at the age of 22. After years in British Columbia logging camps, he worked at the Pagoda from 1943 to 1958 as a dishwasher. After he retired, he continued living above the Pagoda, with free room and board provided by the Lee family.
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Among its earliest staff was Moy Seto, who came to Canada in 1912 at the age of 22. After years in British Columbia logging camps, he worked at the Pagoda from 1943 to 1958 as a dishwasher. After he retired, he continued living above the Pagoda, with free room and board provided by the Lee family.
Opened in 1942, the Pagoda was initially open from 3pm to 3am and 4am on Saturdays! Located upstairs at King Street East and John Street South, it quickly became known for its delicious and affordable meals, fortune teller, and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was successful and expanded in 1952.
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Opened in 1942, the Pagoda was initially open from 3pm to 3am and 4am on Saturdays! Located upstairs at King Street East and John Street South, it quickly became known for its delicious and affordable meals, fortune teller, and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was successful and expanded in 1952.
This week we're looking at the legacy of the Lee Brothers, the Pagoda Chop Suey House, a downtown Hamilton landmark. Victor, Allan, and their three brothers fed generations and lit up King Street East with their hip neon sign. #HamOnt
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This week we're looking at the legacy of the Lee Brothers, the Pagoda Chop Suey House, a downtown Hamilton landmark. Victor, Allan, and their three brothers fed generations and lit up King Street East with their hip neon sign. #HamOnt
Thanks to my colleagues for supporting this motion to push back on the Province's Bill 60. If Bill 60 passes it will put tremendous pressure on tenants, pressure they can't afford. 80% of the people who live in Ward 2 are tenants, 50%+ in the lower city, and 34% citywide. It matters. #HamOnt
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Thanks to my colleagues for supporting this motion to push back on the Province's Bill 60. If Bill 60 passes it will put tremendous pressure on tenants, pressure they can't afford. 80% of the people who live in Ward 2 are tenants, 50%+ in the lower city, and 34% citywide. It matters. #HamOnt
I'll be meeting with North Enders at the Discovery Centre on December 4 at 7pm to talk about Eastwood and Strachan Linear Parks. Check out the event postcard, which has been delivered across the North End, to see the agenda. Your feedback is important. Hope to see you there! #HamOnt
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I'll be meeting with North Enders at the Discovery Centre on December 4 at 7pm to talk about Eastwood and Strachan Linear Parks. Check out the event postcard, which has been delivered across the North End, to see the agenda. Your feedback is important. Hope to see you there! #HamOnt
I've already shared my first impressions of the Mayor's Community Safety Summit, specifically a short video outlining what attendees said in the group report back, but I think there's much more to say. For me, it just didn't work, and I think it's important to unpack why. #HamOnt
November 12, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I've already shared my first impressions of the Mayor's Community Safety Summit, specifically a short video outlining what attendees said in the group report back, but I think there's much more to say. For me, it just didn't work, and I think it's important to unpack why. #HamOnt
Over time, settlers favoured the simple, descriptive term "The Mountain". It became Hamilton’s own name for the Escarpment. It was a sought after place for clean air and relaxed living as Hamilton began to grow in the 1840s and was described as "sometimes curtained with a hazy mist".
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Over time, settlers favoured the simple, descriptive term "The Mountain". It became Hamilton’s own name for the Escarpment. It was a sought after place for clean air and relaxed living as Hamilton began to grow in the 1840s and was described as "sometimes curtained with a hazy mist".
Additionally, in a journal from 1793 by Major EB Littlehales, he describes "The Mountain" as being "considered as a branch of the Alleghany," which is a mountain range in West Virginia, suggesting the name was already in common vernacular.
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Additionally, in a journal from 1793 by Major EB Littlehales, he describes "The Mountain" as being "considered as a branch of the Alleghany," which is a mountain range in West Virginia, suggesting the name was already in common vernacular.
In 1792, in honour of Guy Carleton, 1st Baron of Dorchester and Governor General of Quebec, John Simcoe named the escarpment "Mount Dorchester" by Royal Proclamation. Simcoe had much disdain for Carleton, though despite limited experience, Carleton was very influential in colonial administration.
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
In 1792, in honour of Guy Carleton, 1st Baron of Dorchester and Governor General of Quebec, John Simcoe named the escarpment "Mount Dorchester" by Royal Proclamation. Simcoe had much disdain for Carleton, though despite limited experience, Carleton was very influential in colonial administration.