Raise the Hammer
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Cameron Kroetsch moved to Hamilton in 2014. He's a labour relations professional, sometimes writer, and a passionate non-profit sector volunteer who cares about democracy in government and community advocacy. He lives in Corktown (Ward 2) with his partner Derek.
A Fragile Democracy: Procedural Bylaw Change Muzzles Citizens - Proposed changes to how residents engage with Hamilton Councillors threaten our fundamental democratic values. Published June 29, 2018 in Municipal Election 2018
Community Engagement Should be an Ongoing Conversation - We cannot continue to keep treating engagement as an exercise that happens once or only around one issue and then stops abruptly. Published June 12, 2018 in Municipal Election 2018
Subject to a 'Minor Variance': Another wasted opportunity - Receiving a notice about a minor variance quickly turned from curiosity to mobilization, and it's a lesson in civic engagement that we won't soon forget. Published March 09, 2018 in Commentary
Behind Closed Doors: Hamilton Continues to Hold Questionable Secret Votes - It is hard to understand how - and even whether - representative democracy is served when Council casts votes in secret meetings that are not recorded. Published December 15, 2017 in Commentary
Subject to a 'Minor Variance': Your Delegation Has Been Received - If residents don't know enough about the City's planning process, it's because Council isn't interested in changing these processes to make them more accessible to everyone. Published November 27, 2017 in Commentary
Subject to a 'Minor Variance': Hamilton's Broken Site Plan Approval Process - We're going to be asking the Planning Committee to look seriously at the processes used for approving projects of this scale and we're going to be asking them to recommend that Council make some meaningful changes and put them in writing. Published October 06, 2017 in Commentary
It's Not Just About How Much the Rings Cost - For far too long we've allowed toxic masculinity to persist at the expense of women and members of the queer community. The symbol of power that these rings hold and the pervasiveness of that power continues to go unchecked. Published June 06, 2017 in Commentary
Restoring the Rules of Order in a Time of Procedural Chaos - At the literal end of the day, we cannot expect beleaguered and exhausted councillors who have been put through marathon meetings, week after week, to have the ability to work together and to make good, clear, and effective decisions. Published April 25, 2017 in Commentary