The Corporation Structure
The composition of the Corporation of Hamilton remains exactly as it was in 1795 with a Mayor, 3 Aldermen and 5 Common Councillors, all of whom still serve without remuneration. The present Corporation of Hamilton Members are:
| Mayor: | Rt. Wor. Charles R. Gosling, J.P. |
| Aldermen: | Glen C. Smith, J.P., (Deputy Mayor) John W. Harvey, J.P. Pamela G. Ferreira, J.P. |
| Common Councillors: | Walter F. Cross, J.P. Marshall E. Minors, J.P. Pamela Quarterly, J.P. J. Nicholas Swan Dennis G. Tucker, J.P. |
The Corporation of Hamilton is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the City of Hamilton. Corporation meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Members also serve on several Corporation Committees, each chaired by a Member, who then make recommendations to the full Corporation.
The Committees include: Development - responsible for development projects such as the Hamilton Waterfront and Par-La-Ville Hotel; Finance - is responsible for Corporation budget developments and approval and oversight of revenue and expenditure; Infrastructure - maintenance of Hamilton´s streets and sidewalks, parking areas, City parks and responsible for the collection of garbage and street sweeping and for sewage disposal within the City; Property - oversees all buildings owned by the Corporation and reviews all planning applications to build or renovate property in the City, making its recommendations to the Planning Department; Staff/Legislation/Governance - is responsible for Corporation staffing structure and organization, staff policies and City ordinances.
Each Committee makes recommendations to the full Corporation for a final resolution. Although the Mayor has the right to veto any decision by the Corporation, no Mayor has exercised this power.
The Corporation operates with a full-time staff of some 130 employees and an annual budget of approximately $21 million. Taxes on businesses and homes in the City account for some 40% of annual revenue; another 35% is derived from a percentage of wharfage fees on all goods passing through the Port of Hamilton; and 25% from other revenue, including parking fees. The Corporation makes every effort to balance its budget each year.
Corporation elections are held every 3 years. Owners and occupiers of valuation units within the City who meet the criteria are eligible to vote in Corporation elections and to run for office. A Bye-or extraordinary Election is held if a Member of the Corporation dies, retires or resigns from office.
The powers of both the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George´s are contained in The Municipalities Act 1923. Each Corporation is empowered to pass certain Ordinances, but any Ordinance designed to collect fees or raise revenue must first be approved by Parliament. The Corporations do, however, have the power to raise taxes by a small amount each year without Parliamentary approval. Anyone committing an offence against a Corporation Ordinance would be subject to prosecution by the Police. Although there are Police Stations in Hamilton and in St. George´s, the Corporations are not responsible for the Police Service.