History of the Chamber

Comprising many of the great leaders in Hamilton’s history, and in its mission to “promote the economic, civic and social welfare of the people of Hamilton,” the Chamber:

• advocated for a system of drinking water fountains in the city, because it “felt that people should have at least the same consideration as horses in the provision of good water*”;
• “…was vociferous in the promotion of the Mountain Brow as parkland, opposing plans to use the…land as a quarry*”;
• “…endorsed and promoted the provision of electric power in Hamilton*”;
• consistently encouraged the investment in infrastructure that facilitates trade;
• initiated the organization and building of Chedoke Golf Club;
• headed the local effort to bring McMaster University to Hamilton from Toronto in 1930;
• organized the Council of Social Agencies, the Community Fund and the Family Welfare Bueau which were forerunners of the present United Way;
• provided leadership to create the area’s first Economic Development Commission;
• started the first tourism agency in Hamilton;
• was instrumental in the creation of the first Miss Canada pageant;
• produced the first ever film of Hamilton, called “A Portrait of a City” for screening around the world;
• operated Hamilton’s first consumer protective division before introducing the Better Business Bureau to the community;
• founded the Hamilton Region Arts Council;
• brought Crime Stoppers to Hamilton;
• created the Dundas and Ancaster BIA’s as well as the Dundas Cactus Festival & Ancaster Heritage Days;
• launched the Hamilton Economic Summit in 2008;
• launched Hamilton Hive and Renew Hamilton as two initiatives stemming from the Hamilton Economic Summit;
• hosts annual State of the Mayor and City Manager breakfast addresses as well as community consultations and speaking events for countless provincial and federal members of parliament and ministers.

*from the article The Chamber’s Amazing Story by Edward Smith and Pat Filer