Hamilton Communauté Nouvelles

Every December, we remind you of some of the most interesting stories CBC Hamilton shared throughout the year.The year 2025 was another filled with stories about local people doing remarkable and inspiring things — from a barber rebuilding his life to an artist-turned-fighter to a photographer who was in the right place at the right time earlier this year.

Charitable giving in Canada is on the decline, according to the Fraser Institute’s latest generosity index, which analyzed tax returns to track private donations across the country. The study shows that fewer Canadians are donating, and the value of donations has also fallen.

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing long-term reform alongside First Nations across the country—so child and family services put children, families, and communities at the centre of care. Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, announced that the Government of Canada will be submitting a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program — one that respects regional approaches while operating within a coherent national framework.

Today, the Honorable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects.

According to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, the stray cat population was between 30,000 and 45,000

There would have been 1.5 million more Canadians who donated to charity in 2023—and $755.5 million more in donations—had Canadians given to the same extent they did 10 years prior