SAFETY

Bringing Hamilton's resources to the table — with clear rules and public accountability

Hamilton's biggest challenges cannot be solved by City Hall alone.

Our city is home to major hospitals, universities and colleges, employers, property owners, community organizations and philanthropic partners with enormous expertise, resources and a shared stake in Hamilton's success.

As Mayor, I want to put more of that capacity to work for Hamilton.

That's why the second part of my plan to rebuild Hamilton Anchor Institution Leadership, HAIL, will change what it means to be part of the partnership.

Organizations participating in HAIL will be expected to contribute resources toward approved HAIL initiatives. And the rules will be clear: partnership should deliver better results for Hamilton. It should never buy influence at City Hall.

✓ IF YOU'RE AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE THERE TO DELIVER

Core HAIL participants will enter into a three-year HAIL Participation Agreement setting out what they will contribute to the partnership.

Contributions can reflect what each organization is best positioned to provide. That could include:

• • cash contributions to approved HAIL initiatives;
  • land, space or below-market leases;
  • construction, maintenance or project-management support;
  • seconded staff, technical expertise, data or research capacity;
  • employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities;
  • local or social procurement commitments; or
  • coordinated property-management efforts in areas where participating organizations have a significant presence.
    

Not every organization has to contribute in the same way.

But membership at the HAIL table should mean making a meaningful, measurable commitment to Hamilton.

Organizations eligible for table membership will need a significant Hamilton presence, a multi-year commitment and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to one or more HAIL priorities.

✓ USE CITY DOLLARS TO BRING MORE RESOURCES TO THE TABLE

Hamilton taxpayers should not have to solve every problem alone.

The City may establish a capped HAIL challenge fund to bring additional institutional, philanthropic and private resources to approved public-interest projects.

City funding would be released when qualifying matching resources have been assembled. Those matches could include cash, independently valued land, space, professional services, staff time, equipment or other in-kind contributions.

Funding rounds would identify the problem to be solved, the amount available, eligible applicants, required matching resources, public-interest criteria and reporting requirements.

Every funded project would have a designated delivery partner, a budget, milestones and an evaluation plan.

Where appropriate, HAIL would also seek provincial and federal funding so municipal dollars can help leverage resources from other governments and participating partners.

The principle is straightforward: use taxpayer dollars strategically, bring more resources to the table and measure what those investments achieve.

✓ MAKE PARTICIPATION WORTHWHILE – WITHOUT CREATING SPECIAL ACCESS

HAIL should be valuable to organizations that participate.

Partners can benefit from one clear point of contact for HAIL initiatives, access to vetted opportunities aligned with Hamilton priorities, aggregate data that can help with workforce and community planning, opportunities to help design pilot projects within clearly defined boundaries, and credible reporting on their community contributions.

Partners can also receive briefings on HAIL's work, results and lessons learned.

Hamilton should recognize organizations that make meaningful contributions to the city.

But participation will never determine who receives public services or support.

Residents will receive services based on need, not on whether an employer, institution, property owner or other organization has contributed to HAIL.

And participation will never entitle an organization to preferential access to the Mayor, Council or City staff.

✓ PARTNERSHIP WITHOUT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

If HAIL is going to bring public, institutional, philanthropic and private resources together, residents need to know that the rules protect the public interest.

All significant contributions will be publicly disclosed and independently valued where necessary.

Conflict-of-interest and recusal rules will apply.

HAIL will not be used to discuss or influence active planning, zoning, permitting, procurement, licensing or enforcement matters involving participating organizations.

No contribution will entitle a participant to:

• • a City contract;
  • a planning or development approval;
  • preferential tax treatment;
  • faster or preferential municipal service;
  • special access to the Mayor, Council or City staff; or
  • any other private benefit in exchange for participating.
    
    

Voting power will not be tied to the size of an organization's contribution.

Private-sector participants will remain a minority at the table, with community and lived-experience participation built into the partnership.

HAIL's contribution and governance model will be subject to independent review and public audit.

Even public recognition will have limits. Naming rights or recognition arrangements that could compromise public confidence, create political concerns or conflict with municipal policy will not be accepted.

Participation means contributing to Hamilton — not purchasing influence over it.

✓ A PARTNERSHIP BUILT AROUND RESULTS

Hamilton has tremendous resources outside City Hall.

The Mayor's job is not simply to ask organizations to sit around another table. It's to create the conditions where government, institutions, employers and community partners can put their different strengths behind common problems while protecting the public interest.

That's the approach I'll bring to HAIL.

Clear expectations. Real contributions. Strong safeguards. Measurable results.

Because bringing people together is important. Getting them to deliver is leadership.

As Mayor, I'll build partnerships that work for Hamilton and make sure Hamiltonians always know who is contributing, what we're trying to accomplish and what results we're getting.