What are your 3 holiday wishes for Hamilton?

It's nearly a new year — a chance to look back on what happened in the past 12 months, and a chance to look optimistically forward.

We asked some engaged and passionate Hamiltonians from different spheres to share three wishes for the city in 2017, and we hope you'll share yours, too.

Send us a tweet, tag us on Instagram or write us a Facebook message using the hashtag #hamont3wishes, or email your three wishes to hamilton@cbc.ca.

Marufa Shinwari, executive director, Immigrant Culture and Art Association

1. I wish that people take time to remember the impact they have on other people's lives, no matter small or big. 

2. I hope that people are able to empathize and be more cognizant of the living conditions of others who are surrounding them, particularly in war-torn countries.

3. I wish that we work towards creating a society built upon camaraderie in order to uplift each other to become better people.

• RELATED: Banned by Taliban, Hamiltonian returns to Kabul to build women's studies program

Terry Cooke, president and CEO, Hamilton Community Foundation

1. That we move the needle on improved high school graduation rates in all Hamilton neighbourhoods and schools.

2. That we continue our economic momentum with a focus on major investments in transit (including LRT and expanded SoBi bike share) and affordable housing,

3. That we build on our history of diversity and inclusion by ensuring that Hamilton remains a welcoming and safe place for all of our citizens.

Kojo "Easy" Damptey, musician and activist

1. I wish our city and all its citizens commit to making this city truly inclusive not by words but by actions.

2. I wish our city, businesses, corporations and employers look at ensuring a living wage for their employees.

3. I wish citizens of Hamilton think about how our daily decisions affect the environment and what steps we can take to ensure a sustainable ecosystem.

• RELATED: Watch Damptey's presentation about diverse artists at our Made in Hamilton event.

Johanna Bleecker, cycling advocate, Cycle Hamilton and New Hope Community Bikes

1. I'd like to see people prioritize "convenience" less — try walking or biking instead of driving, try cooking more meals, spend more time with friends offline.

2. I wish our city council would give active transportation and livable streets the priority they deserve given their immense benefits for our health and environment.

3. On a more selfish note, I'm loving all the vegan-friendly restaurants in Hamilton and am holding out hope for an all-day vegan breakfast joint!

• RELATED: Cycling advocates call for Hamilton to boost bike infrastructure

Dave Hanley, owner, Pop Up Hamilton and Roma Pizza enthusiast

1. That the hard work, talent and dedication of independent restaurateurs and chefs in Hamilton gets our city more sweet, sweet national and international media love.

2. We've been fortunate to get to know some Syrian newcomers as friends and I hope that more Hamiltonians get the same opportunity. Wonderful people! Funny, too!

3. I wish someone at Hamilton Health Sciences would invent a pill that immediately negates the fattening effects of fried chicken and southern BBQ. GET ON THAT, SCIENTISTS!

• RELATED: The cult-like following of Roma Pizza and other made-in-Hamilton stories

Yvonne Maracle, cultural worker, De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre

1.To make Hamilton a more Aboriginal-friendly place in regards to providing green space for our people to conduct cultural ceremonies and keep our connection to Mother Earth.

2. To clean up the harbour to make it the beautiful place that it can be, so people can enjoy Mother Earth's natural beauty and be a part of it.

3. To continue to work together, community and all levels of government to make Hamilton a place where homelessness and poverty can come to an end.

Alim Pardhan, emergency medicine physician, Hamilton Health Sciences

1. Less fentanyl on our streets – we have seen a marked rise in patients coming into the emergency room with fentanyl overdoses, many of them very unwell. There has also been a rise in fentanyl-related deaths.

2. That everyone gets their flu shot – Even if you are healthy, the flu shot will help protect those around you who are less healthy. Every year the flu causes 12,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada. Protect yourself and those around you; get your flu shot.

3. Less drinking and driving – If you drink over the holiday season, please don't drive. Have a plan to get home safely.

• RELATED: Hamilton LHIN has most opioid overdose deaths in province over 5 years

Cam Galindo, McMaster student and activist

1. A more ambitious city council that is representative of an ambitious city and builds a successful foundation for future generations.

2. A reduction in youth poverty and homelessness — creating more opportunities for youth to succeed.  

3. Moving forward on public transit initiatives that will bring our city into the future — Light Rail Transit.

• RELATED: How a 22-year-old Hamiltonian got to carry the Iranian flag in Rio's closing ceremonies

Brandon Reid, manager of The National band and member, Supercrawl organizing committee

1. Hamilton Police Services ceases the practice of carding innocuous citizens.

2. Our newcomer population continues to feel welcome and successful in pushing through their challenges.

3. That I'm able to indulge in a Burnt Tongue cheeseburger at lease once a month.

• RELATED: Hamilton police board passes new carding policy with little fanfare

​Javid Mirza, businessman and former president, Muslim Association of Hamilton

1. LRT issues: I hope it is resolved one way or another. We are really embarrassing ourselves. The city council along with the mayor has to conclude this either way. Uncertainty is hurting our city. Once a decision is made we will be able to attract much more business to our city.

2. We have done real well as a city and country when it comes to refugees. I am hoping this spirit stays with us even though Trump won in the USA.

3. My sincere wish is to see everyone together help people who are left behind in this new economy. The gap between top and bottom is getting bigger. As a country we can't leave anyone behind. Ordinary people are hurting. 

• RELATED: How far we haven't come: Hamilton measures anti-racism progress 15 years after temple arson

Thomas Allen, architecture writer, Rebuild Hamilton

1. For the Gore Park street wall to be saved and preserved. They're part of our historic fabric and the perfect buildings for adaptive reuse.

2. More affordable housing projects like the brilliant work Indwell and Invizij Architects are currently doing throughout the city.

3. For thoughtful quality designs when it comes to our future developments. We are a city that needs to constantly demand better. 

• RELATED: Rebuilding Hamilton, one architecture tweet at a time

Judy Marsales, realtor and singer

1. That Hamilton is recognized as a music city and honours the legacy of talent – both current and in history – across a broad spectrum of music genres and performance – rock, opera, theatre and jazz.

2. That Hamilton establishes itself as a leader in promoting new ideas to support diversity, equality and engages the younger generation to be tomorrow's leaders.

3. That everyone starts looking toward a positive future and reduce the poison of negativity. It is very difficult to see where you are going when you are always looking over your shoulder. Let's move forward together.

B.A. Johnston, musician

1. That someone reopens the arcade in Limeridge Mall. And that the Simpsons 4 player is still there.

2. That all Hamilton citizens' plates overflow with Grandad Donuts, Tally Ho beef baskets and Chicago Style Stuffed Pies

3. A bylaw is enacted in that Torontonians buying a home in Hamilton must stay in Jackson Square for eight straight hours, in order to complete purchase.

Serena Samuel, political organizer

1. I wish we'd find capable, qualified people of minority communities for the police board! Time we recruited leaders from our diverse and growing city.

2. I wish we had a hospital in the east end. It's growing! And could definitely use one.

3. I wish we could work on traffic congestion during rush hours! I could carry my car and walk the Linc to 403 faster than driving!

JP Danko, photographer

1. Another global tech firm opens a major office downtown, redevelops a few underused historic buildings, and sparks a transformation to 21st-century employment for Hamilton.

2. The federal Liberals announce funding for major Hamilton infrastructure projects that benefit people, community and the environment: parks, recreation, transit, water, wastewater and environmental remediation.

3. The sale of Stelco is finalized, bringing certainty to workers, pensioners and the city, while releasing hundreds of acres of valuable industrial port land for redevelopment.

​Dwayne Cline, pastor, Hughson Street Baptist Church

1. I wish that every Hamiltonian would contribute to the good of our city using the unique talents and skills we bring to build a better city together.

2. I wish that Hamilton would be Canada's leader in paying a living wage across every segment of the city as a model for others to aspire to.

3. I wish that everyone had suitable and affordable housing in balanced neighbourhoods throughout the city where the diversity would enrich everyone.

Joanne Feddes, farmer, La Primavera Farms

1. To develop a community that loves the natural world around it.

2. To keep on opening doors to all people and be the Hamilton people love to call home.

3. For every Hamiltonian to have a favourite farmers market they visit weekly and a farmer they know by name.

​Jeremy Freiburger, cultural strategist, Cobalt Connects 

1. I wish that not a single child goes to school hungry.

2. I wish that our civic leadership will be a transparent, clear and focused collective acting for the best interests of the full community.

3. I wish that we continue to support and celebrate our cultural growth, unique history, citizens, identity and geography.

Teresa Cirillo, vocal teacher and owner, Studio E

1. I wish for Hamilton to increase efforts to decrease its pollution!

2. I'd love to see the Metrolinx Centennial GO Station come to life.

3. I'd love to see another high school built in Stoney Creek/Winona area!

Now it's your turn.

Send us a tweet, tag us on Instagram or write us a Facebook message using the hashtag #hamont3wishes, or email your three wishes to hamilton@cbc.ca.