Making Hamilton the Best Place In Canada To Raise a Child

The City of Hamilton strives to be the best place in Canada to raise a child. The Jobs Prosperity Collaborative was apparently so inspired that it adopted the same vision. It is a laudable effort, and this goal resonates with me as a parent of two young children looking for a community in which to put down roots. (Wouldn't it be irresponsible to settle my family in the second-best - or worse - place to raise a child?)

It takes effort to penetrate Hamilton's dismal image and discover that it really is a fine place to live and has many assets that appeal to parents (or anyone else, for that matter).

Based on what I've experienced and the people I have met, I don't need much convincing that Hamiltonwould be a great place to raise my family, which is not immediately apparent to anyone who hasn't spent some time here (or even many who have).

It's necessary to mobilize an effort around this vision and promote Hamilton's many appealing assets. But from my perspective, to be the best place to raise a child, you must have three things: jobs, jobs and jobs. And they must be quality jobs.