Matthew Van Dongen
TorontoStar
Burlington, ON, Canada
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Past articles by Matthew:
Will Sewergate mean big pollution fines for Hamilton taxpayers? The answer could come this summer
Lawyers for the city and province say they’re close to resolving more than two years of wrangling over pollution charges linked to a 24-billion-litre sewage spill into Chedoke Creek. → Read More
Metrolinx restarts LRT demolitions and land deals for long-delayed transit project
Provincial transit agency knocking down apartment this month and approaching more landowners about selling other buildings in the way of the 14-kilometre light-rail line → Read More
Derailment risk spurs calls to pull hundreds of Hamilton-made railcars off the tracks
National Steel Car says it is co-operating with a probe into a U.S. derailment in March that included some locally made railcars — but the bayfront manufacturer also notes a cause for the incident has not been determined. → Read More
Ban on big trucks in Hamilton’s downtown officially begins when signs go up this month
Signs for new permitted truck routes will go up in the lower city starting next week and across Hamilton by the end of April. Once the signs go up, police enforcement can begin. → Read More
Hamilton does not need to build homes on Greenbelt lands: report
New study from coalition of opponents to Greenbelt development has supporters in Hamilton — but not in the provincial government, which labelled the report ‘anti-housing and anti-growth’ → Read More
Labour Ministry probes death at east Hamilton trailer manufacturer
Owner of Kangaroo Trailers said his understanding was a worker fell off a forklift as a result of a heart attack → Read More
Failing steel wall endangering Claremont motorists was slated for removal this summer
City has closed the downbound lanes of the busy access until it can guarantee driver safety from rock slides. In the meantime, you’re supposed to use the Jolley Cut. → Read More
No cougar confirmed in Dundas — but big cat believers are legion in Hamilton
Residents have reported cougar sightings in Hamilton at least a half-dozen times since 2020; So far, proof remains elusive → Read More
Steve Sardinha jailed over fraud linked to Havana soil-dumping firm
Former Ancaster resident headed the company linked to the dumping of thousands of truckloads of fill at Waterdown Garden Supplies → Read More
Bad vibrations: Are Hamilton roads bad enough to pose a health risk for HSR bus drivers?
A new study showed vibration levels on some HSR routes were bad enough to pose a ‘likely’ health risk to drivers. It points the finger primarily at poor road conditions. → Read More
Hamilton wins court order to stop dirt dumping on fire-razed Flamborough farm
The injunction allows the city to ask for police help to prevent incoming trucks that have dumped thousands of loads of fill excavated from developments on the farm. → Read More
Ontario orders Hamilton to beef up sewer inspections after 26-year spills
The province said it believes other ongoing, hidden sewage spills could still be happening underground in Hamilton. → Read More
Hamilton poised to license Airbnb-style rentals starting in June
The new rules would limit short-stay rentals to the ‘primary residence’ of a homeowner or renter — meaning homes owned by absentee landlords could not be rented out → Read More
What will happen to the mystery sailboat seemingly abandoned offshore of Bayfront Park?
Transport Canada is investigating who owns the Kraken, but nobody seems worried about getting rid of the floating harbour squatter. → Read More
Hamilton says latest years-long leak spilled 59 million litres of sewage into the bay
Two recently discovered faulty sewer repairs, combined, have leaked enough sewage over 26 years to fill 158 Olympic swimming pools. → Read More
Hamilton finds another quarter-century-old sewage leak into the harbour
City says it started ‘proactively’ searching for problems following the discovery late last year of a 26-year-old sewage spill under Burlington Street → Read More
Environmental group takes Doug Ford government to court over Hamilton urban boundary expansion
Environmental Defence is seeking a judicial review of Tory decision to open 5,400 acres of rural land to development. → Read More
CN appeal stalls Jamesville redevelopment, puts affordable housing plans ‘at risk’
Construction on a 447-unit, mixed-income community near GO station was expected to start this year → Read More
Ontario’s coroner reviewing possibility of inquest into deaths at National Steel Car
Railcar maker argues an inquest jury would lack expertise to make ‘useful recommendations’ → Read More
National Steel Car fined $140,000 in relation to workplace death of Fraser Cowan
Railcar maker pleaded guilty to one provincial health and safety charge related to a fatality in 2020 → Read More