Introduction & Acknowledgement

Welcome to the City of Hamilton Council Procedural Rules Pressbook!

Whether you’re a political science student, an aspiring local government leader, or simply curious about how your city operates, this Pressbook will help you understand the fundamentals and inner workings of council meetings. Our mission is to make the City of Hamilton’s decision-making process more transparent and accessible to all residents, with a special focus on students who represent the future leadership of our community.

This Pressbook is designed to introduce you to the City of Hamilton’s Council & Committee meetings and the procedural rules that govern these official gatherings. It serves as a practical resource, empowering you to effectively attend, understand, and participate in the City’s Council meetings. By familiarizing yourself with the content of this guide, you will be better equipped to engage in the democratic process and fulfill your role as an informed and active resident of Hamilton.

Acknowledgement

In acknowledgment of the support received for this project, funding for this project was provided by the MacPherson Institute as part of the Student Partners Program. the authors recognize this great contribution which has been instrumental in the development of the work, and the authors express their gratitude for the institute’s commitment to fostering student-driven initiatives.

Move on to Unit 1