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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 2 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 10, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 2, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 2 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 2 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 2 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
Ward 2’s zoning includes the Downtown Secondary Plan, the West Harbour Secondary Plan (better known as Setting Sail), LRT corridor zoning, and some pockets of the old City of Hamilton residential zoning.
There are two high level and one site-specific question regarding this topic:
11. Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law designates a minimum 500-metre radius surrounding GO stations and LRT stops as “major transit station areas” in effect, most of Ward 2 is located within an MTSA. Development will occur, the question is where and if it is approved by Council or the Ontario Land Tribunal. What is your land-use planning vision, and how will you achieve it?
12. How will you balance the need to approve new housing, including rental housing such as Secondary Dwelling Units, while responding to concerns regarding development?
13. Hamilton City Council signed an agreement with a group of developers to transact the City of Hamilton’s downtown properties to them. The deal is secret, Council having declared the 50-year deal “confidential.” Additionally, Council signed a deal for the Barton-Tiffany lands. There is a missing piece to the deals, the Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School site. What is your vision for this school board owned property, and how will you implement that vision?
14. Road safety is a significant issue across Hamilton, including in Ward 2. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
18. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 3 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 9, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 3, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 3 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 3 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 3 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are three questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. There are parts of Ward 3 which remain under the 1952 former City of Hamilton residential zoning bylaw. What is your vision for residential zoning in Ward 3?
12. How will you balance the need to approve new housing, including rental housing such as Secondary Dwelling Units, while responding to concerns regarding development?
13. There are six LRT stops planned for Ward 3, the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law – defines the 500-metres surrounding LRT stations as major transit station areas. In short, there is where density will be built. What is your vision for the major transit areas, and how will you implement that vision?
14. Road safety is a significant issue across Hamilton, including in Ward 3. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
18. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?

source: news-thepublicrecord

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 4 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 10, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 4, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 4 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 4 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters”.
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential”.
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8.  How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 4 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are three questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. There are parts of Ward 4 which remain under the 1952 former City of Hamilton residential zoning bylaw. What is your vision for residential zoning in Ward 4?
12. There are active planning applications within Ward 4 with differing views regarding if they represent appropriate intensification or not. Secondary Dwelling Units and the proposed redevelopment of the Delta Secondary School property are two examples of this.
How will you balance the need to approve new housing, including rental housing such as Secondary Dwelling Units, while responding to concerns regarding development?
13. There are four LRT stops planned within Ward 4, the Provincial Policy Statement –  Ontario’s defacto planning law – defines the 500-metres surrounding LRT stations as major transit station areas. In short, this is where density will be built. What is your vision for the major transit areas, and how will you implement that vision?
14. Road safety is a significant issue across Hamilton, including in Ward 4. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading will you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
18. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 5 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 10, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 5, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 5 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 5 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters”.
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential”.
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 5 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are three questions on this topic:
11. Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law – defines the 500-metres surrounding LRT and GO stations as major transit station areas. Ward 5 will have two LRT stations and already has the new Confederation GO train station. Both require Hamilton City Council to update zoning bylaws to plan for intensification. What is your vision for the major transit areas, and how will you implement that vision?
12. There are many planning applications along King Street between Nash Road and Gray Road, with more to come. What is your vision for this corridor, and why is that your vision?
13. The City of Hamilton is updating its decades old residential zoning bylaws. This means the addition of Secondary Dwelling Units within the neighbourhoods of Ward 5, the dividing of older large lots to create two houses, and other forms of intensification. How will you balance the need to build more housing while responding to concerns regarding intensification?
14. Road safety is a significant issue across Hamilton, including in Ward 5. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
18. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 6 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 11, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 6, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 6 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 6 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters”.
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential”.
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8.  How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 6 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. The zoning bylaws across Ward 6 are now decades old and do not conform with the Provincial Policy Statement –  Ontario’s defacto planning law. With outdated zoning, the City of Hamilton is unable to present a principled planning position in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal. The new zoning, if compliant with the Policy Statement, will return local control over planning. What is your vision, and how will your achieve it?
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development. Already, there are two applications in the East Mountain – the former Sherwood Lanes at Fennell and Upper Ottawa and former Wal-Mart Plaza at Upper Sherman and Mohawk. There are many similar lands across Ward 6. Presently, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment. What is your vision for this type of redevelopment and how will you achieve that vision?
13. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 6, with numerous pedestrian deaths in recent years which have shocked and saddened the community. What is your plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
14. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
17. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 7 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 11, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 7, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 7 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 7 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters”.
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential”.
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8.  How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 7 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. The zoning bylaws across Ward 7 are now decades old and do not conform with the Provincial Policy Statement –  Ontario’s defacto planning law. With outdated zoning, the City of Hamilton is unable to present a principled planning position in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal. The new zoning, if compliant with the Policy Statement, will return local control over planning. What is your vision, and how will your achieve it?
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development. Already, there are two applications within Ward 7 – the former former Wal-Mart Plaza at Upper Sherman and Mohawk, and the first phase of the Lime Ridge Mall redevelopment. There are many similar lands across Ward 7. Presently, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment. What is your vision for this type of redevelopment and how will you achieve that vision?
13. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 7, with numerous pedestrian deaths in recent years which have shocked and saddened the community. What is your plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
14. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
17. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


text:
The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 8 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 11, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 8, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 8 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 8 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 8 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. The zoning bylaws across Ward 8 are now decades old and do not conform with the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law. With outdated zoning, the City of Hamilton is unable to present a principled planning position in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal. The new zoning, if compliant with the Policy Statement, will return local control over planning. What is your vision, and how will you achieve it?
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development. Already, there are two applications within Ward 8 – the former Wal-Mart Plaza at Upper Sherman and Mohawk, and the first phase of the Lime Ridge Mall redevelopment. There are many similar lands across Ward 8. Presently, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment. What is your vision for this type of redevelopment, and how will you achieve that vision?
13. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 8. Upper James is, by far, Hamilton’s most dangerous street, with nearly every section of the road significantly more dangerous than average for both motorists and pedestrians.
13a. What is your plan to address safety on Upper James, and does your plan include unpopular but necessary changes, and if so, how do you plan to implement your plan?
13b. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
14. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
17. It’s 2026. The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


text:
The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 9 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 11, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 9, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 9 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 9 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters”.
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential”.
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Honourable Justice Herman J. Wilton-Siegel releases the Commission’s findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 9 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. With the recent re-election of MPP Donna Skelly in the Flamborough-Glanbrook riding it is likely that MPP Skelly’s government will eventually expand Hamilton’s urban boundary to allow for new development in Ward 9’s Elfrida area. What is your plan to respond to development pressures in Elfrida and how will your plan address the growing challenges resulting of car-dependent medium density ground-oriented development that has been built in Ward 9 during the past two decades?
12. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. The primary effect of this in Ward 9 is the updating of local regulations regarding Secondary Dwelling Units. The Provincial Policy Statement –  Ontario’s defacto planning law permits SDUs as of right. As Ward Councillor, at times you will have to balance the requirements of the PPS with local opposition to planning proposals. What is your planning philosophy and how will you handle contentious files which we know will be approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal if City Council decides to oppose them?
13. Road safety is a significant issue across Hamilton, including in Ward 9. What is your overall plan to address road safety, please provide three detailed specifics of your plan, and how will you respond to opposition to changes?
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
14. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
17. It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton School Board Trustee Candidates – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 24, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on either Hamilton’s public or Catholic School Boards.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [YOUR NAME]?
2. Why are you running for Trustee?
3. How have you contributed to your school community and education in Hamilton?
4. It can be argued that School Board Trustees merely exist to provide someone for local parents to blame for provincial decisions. The autonomy of local school boards is limited. What do you see as the role of the modern school board trustee?
5. What are your priorities for improving public education in Hamilton?
6. What three skills have you demonstrated that make you the best choice to be entrusted as the [Ward] School Board Trustee?
7. What two policy or practice changes do you wish to achieve in your four-year term on the Board?
8. It’s 2026. The Public Record is writing an assessment of your performance in the past four years. What three words do you hope will describe your term on the Board?
9. As a School Board Trustee, your duty is to ensure the best quality of education for students across the entire school system.
How will you manage a staff recommendation to close a school in your ward that the Board’s professional staff states will enable the Board to provide a better quality of education across the system?
10. How will you inspire public confidence in trustees and the School Board?
11. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance.
How can people learn more about your platform and connect with you?


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Tips for Candidates to Prepare and Succeed at Their 155 Election Podcast Interviews – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

July 23, 2022
The 155 Election Podcast is back for the 2022 municipal election.
In 2018, the podcasts successfully provided voters with the opportunity to hear from all candidates as they articulated their election platforms, explained why they seek to serve as an elected official, and what qualifications they bring to elected office.
The podcast questions are structured to enable listeners to easily compare candidates, and for candidates to have a roadmap to pitch their vision to voters.
The 155 is a job interview, for public office.
For City Council candidates, the questions are structured as follows:
Opening questions, who are you and why are you running, provide candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves and quickly summarize their reasons for running.
Eight “open” questions allow candidates to articulate eight platform planks of their choosing: two city-wide priorities, two ward priorities, two changes to improve City services, and two changes to improve quality of life in Hamilton.
The three skills question enables candidates to articulate why their skill set is a good fit for being a City Councillor, much as one experiences in a job interview.
Two questions on accountability, transparency, and good governance ask candidates to articulate how they will balance the need sometimes for matters to be kept confidential with the expectation of openness in government.
The LRT construction question asks candidates to share how they will balance and manage the challenges of this transformative construction project.
The something interesting or unique question serves to provide a break for the candidate, interviewer, and listener between a series of challenging questions. Think of it as the comic-relief act so common to theatre and movies.
Land-use planning (including transportation) questions get to the heart of the most time-consuming and difficult part of being a municipal councillor. Approving and managing difficult change. This is a challenging series of questions because voters are divided on what constitutes good planning. The questions are structured to be specific to circumstances in each ward, and to require thoughtful articulate answers.
Road Safety, everyone wants to know what plans candidates have to decrease the number of deaths and injuries along Hamilton’s roadways. The question asked candidates to articulate their plan, and how they will achieve it.
The 10,000 hours question. How will candidates gain knowledge to be effective leaders and make well-informed decisions? This is a job interview-style question.
The three words question asks candidates to summarize themselves in three words, and then summarize their hopes for the 2022-26 term of City Council in three words.
Be well hydrated. This ensures your vocal cords do not become dry, improving your voice quality for the interview.
Do not read a script. Seriously. It is monotonous to listen to. Voters stop listening.
Prepare.
Voters will listen to the podcast while they are exercising, preparing dinner, commuting to work, gardening, etc.
Think about what platform planks you wish to articulate.
What are the key points you wish to convey in your answers, and how can you do so concisely.
Index cards can be helpful and assist in keeping your thoughts organized. Use bullet points.
This is a full-length door pitch. Do you read off your campaign literature when you are canvassing door-to-door?
You don’t, because you know your platform and voters are busy – they are not going to stand around while you read your script.
Do not use your smartphone for notes. You will end up fiddling with your phone. Your voice quality decreases when you tilt your head down to read notes on a smartphone.
People enjoy listening to a good conversation. Think about the podcasts you most enjoy. They have a conversational format.
The format of The 155 is designed to keep the focus on the candidates.
I, Joey Coleman, as the interviewer, seek to ask the questions and only inject myself if absolutely necessary because a candidate is not answering a question, their answer requires further clarity in the moment, or the candidate is clearly lying beyond any reasonable doubt.
[In 2018, a candidate lied about where they live.]
The presence of the interviewer (me) provides you (the candidate) with someone to focus your answers towards.
See you at your interview.


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Andrea Horwath Sends First Mayoral Campaign Email to Surprise of Many Recipients – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 5, 2022
Andrea Horwath’s campaign sent its first email update to supporters Friday afternoon, much to the surprise of some recipients who state they are not supporters.
People told TPR they did not sign-up for any information from the Horwath campaign. The people reporting this to TPR include a software developer and a Toronto Metropolitan University faculty member.
Two people, who are NDP members, tell TPR the emails arrived at personal addresses they only use for NDP emails.
Other people, who are on multiple NDP email lists state they did not receive the email.
Horwath’s campaign says they sent the email to people who have supported Horwath in previous elections.
“As a previous candidate municipally and provincially, Andrea has kept detailed lists of folks who have supported her and how to get in touch with them,” stated spokesperson Emma Reilly McKay in response to TPR questions.
“Folks can of course opt out of any communications they do not wish to receive.”
The email touted “A great first ten days!” of Horwath’s campaign, sharing photos of recent events Horwath attended and asking people to consider supporting her campaign as either volunteers or donors.
On social media, the response was negative, with people saying they were unhappy to receive the emails.

created: August 5, 2022


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City to Implement No Right Turns on Red Along King Street in August – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 2, 2022
Hamilton’s Chief Road Official Edward Soldo says he will ask Council to approve restricting red turns on right along King Street between the Delta where King Street and Main Street cross in the east to Highway 403 in the west.
Soldo recommends making the stretches of King between Locke Street and Dundurn Street (Victoria Park), Emerald Street and Wellington Street (St. Patrick’s School), and Gage Avenue to Lottridge Street (Bernie Custis School) as Community Safety Zones.
This will enable the City to install photo radar cameras to issue fines by mail to owners of vehicles exceeding speed limits.
Soldo says the City will implement parking changes along King Street, similar to changes being made on Main Street. Details are being finalized.
Traffic lights along King Street will have their timings changed to provide Leading Pedestrian Intervals to give pedestrians a head start before traffic lights turn green.
Council will vote upon the changes during their August 12 meeting.
Changes along King Street may be less extensive than on Main Street, due to pending Light Rail Transit construction in late 2023 or early 2024.
The report can be read here.

created: August 2, 2022


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COLEMAN: The Bratina People Love is Running For Mayor – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 2, 2022
Do not let a single poll fool you, Bob Bratina is a serious contender for mayor.
A large segment of Hamilton’s population loves him.
Bratina was “one point” behind Keanin Loomis in last week’s Torstar poll is statistically irrelevant – they are tied within the margin of error. Sure, he was below expectations.
It takes only one poll with Bratina “ahead” of Loomis to change the narrative, even if they remain statistically tied.
Bratina is a proven fundraiser. He will have the money to mount a strong mayoral campaign.
He does not need to spend as much as his opponents to effectively reach his voters.
As a retired CHML morning show host, Bratina benefits from having many friends in Hamilton’s media. As in 2010, he can use these relationships to his benefit.
On May 18, Bratina announced his mayoral run on TheSpec municipal columnist Scott Radley’s CHML radio show. In 2017, Radley pondered the idea that Bratina’s four years as mayor from 2010 to 2014 may have been a “Golden Age” for Hamilton.
His campaign launch on June 14 went smoothly. He was friendly to the media, on message, and complimentary towards his opponent Keanin Loomis.
Last Tuesday, when Andrea Horwath launched her campaign, Bratina responded to media calls for comments by stating he welcomed Horwath to the race by emphasizing respect for her as a friend.
I chatted with Bratina on both June 14 and last Tuesday.
He was very friendly, a change from the past few years in which encounters with him have ranged from cold to outright bitter.
This friendly Bob is the person most Hamiltonians know.
Bob, the CHML morning radio host.
Bob, the MC for countless charity events.
Bob, gameday announcer for the Tiger-Cats.
This is the Bob won the Ward 2 Council seat in a 2004 by-election, succeeding Andrea Horwath. [Horwath became the Hamilton East MPP in a provincial by-election that year.]
This is the Bob who easily won re-election in 2006, the mayoral campaign in 2010, and was elected to the federal Parliament as the Liberal MP for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek.
Bratina’s unhealthy ego may be his fatal flaw. His temper flares up when his ego is bruised. It’s been widely written that Bratina is “thin-skinned.”
Over 15 years ago, in what a Spec reporter described as a “meltdown,” Bratina threw a pen across the Council Chamber. Bratina blames then-Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and complains about TheSpec’s reporting. The incident continues to be cited to this day.
This didn’t matter in 2010 when Bratina was first elected mayor, only three years after the incident.
None of his past negatives will make a difference in 2022 – provided the Bratina we have seen over the past eight weeks is the Bratina we see throughout the campaign.
People like Bob. In a time of uncertainty with inflation and affordability concerns, Bratina could be the “safe” choice for most voters.


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COLEMAN: Bratina’s Campaign Backroom Team is Strong at Launch – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 22, 2022
Bob Bratina loves the “people side” of being mayor, and it showed Saturday night at Dundas’ Cactus Festival.
People came up to Bob, “Hey, do you remember me, Bob?” “Hey, do you remember that time?” “Hey Bob, it be great to have you back at City Hall!”.
With his baritone voice and smile as people approach, Bratina is in his element, posing for selfies, and handing out campaign literature.
There was a steady flow of people looking to chat with Bratina.
The discussions ranged from reminiscences of the past to a young woman who extensively quizzed Bratina on various topics, beginning with housing affordability.
Only two days earlier, Thursday night, Bratina officially launched his campaign at Michelangelo Banquet Centre on Hamilton Mountain.
[Bratina’s campaign sent me the event advisory. I could not attend because I was conducting a The 155 Election Podcast interview at the same time.]
TheSpec and CHML both published original stories summarizing Bratina’s speech, with TheSpec posting a short video clip as well.
Both reports state Bratina wants to address affordable housing, employment lands, a review of the City of Hamilton’s housing agency CityHousing, problems of toxic culture at City Hall, and infrastructure.
Bratina’s campaign website lists six primary themes for his “plan for a better, safer, cleaner Hamilton”: Accountability, Housing, Infrastructure, Economic Development, Agriculture & Industry, and A Better Hamilton.
Hamilton’s 2022 municipal election is the first in decades not to be pigeon-holed into a faux “referendum” on a single polarizing issue.
[Pundits, commentators, and legacy media will attempt to make Transit Area-Rating the wedge issue. It remains to be seen if it becomes the wedge.]
There is an unusual consistency to the people’s concerns in this municipal election – affordability and good government.
There will be two keys to victory: convincing voters you are the one who will deliver on promises, and actionable data collection and analytics.
Convincing voters will happen through traditional media, community events, and debates.
Bratina’s campaign must persuade voters that his experience makes him the candidate who will implement change.
His age is an issue. Ageism and whether it should be an issue does not change the reality that media give much significance to generational change.
The second key to victory brings us back to Thursday night’s campaign launch.
Flamborough-Glanbrook Member of Parliament Dan Muys introduced Bratina. Muys is a Conservative bringing his campaign organization to Bratina’s camp.
2018 mayoral runner-up, and past Liberal Party candidate, Vito Sgro plays a key role in Bratina’s campaign.
Sgro brings the Hamilton-East Stoney Creek Liberal campaign machine to the campaign, and it brings a reliable donor and volunteer base to Bratina.
Data matters.
These two political machines combined give Bratina a key early advantage in voter data across Wards 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
Data is useless without good analysis and strategy.
Muys’ team includes bright young strategists who’ve identified the key Facebook groups at the neighbourhood level across Hamilton. This team knows the other platforms well (Instagram, Telegram, etc). They will use them to mobilize voters for Bratina.
Bratina’s campaign is a fusion of old tactics and new strategies – this is why Bratina’s campaign cannot be dismissed as representing “yesterday.”
All three frontrunner mayoral candidates will have booths at this coming weekend’s Winona Peach Festival. The race is well underway.


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COLEMAN: Mayoral Polls are Poor Predictors: Horwath and Loomis Know This – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 1, 2022
A Torstar commissioned poll published this week can be read as good news for both the Andrea Horwath and the Keanin Loomis mayoral campaigns. It contains disappointing news for Bob Bratina.
For Horwath, 37 percent of respondents leaning in favour of voting for her is a strong starting point.
For Loomis, 13 percent can be seen as a good foundation measured against first-time mayoral candidates who won elsewhere.
Luck is on Loomis’ side as well; he is second, just one point “ahead” of Bob Bratina. Bratina and Loomis are statistically tied within the margin of error.
Bratina’s name recognition as a radio personality, former mayor, and former MP should’ve placed him well ahead of Loomis and closer to Horwath. He’s failed to meet polling expectations, which can be fatal in politics.
TheSpec quotes a non-local expert who says the poll indicates a potential “safe” “blowout.”
McMaster political scientist Peter Graefe provides thoughtful analysis, stating the results are encouraging for Horwath and a bit disappointing for Loomis.
Greafe suggests Loomis needs Horwath and Bratina to split the vote for him to make it “a bit easier for him to come up the middle.”
“Up the middle” implies Loomis needs a three-way split to win. Other first-time mayoral candidates have won without three-way splits.
Both Naheed Nenshi in Calgary’s 2010 mayoral and Brian Bowman in Winnipeg’s 2014 election were first-time candidates who placed a distant third place in polls. Both were declared effectively out of the race by local media.
A few weeks before their decisive wins, the horse race polling showed them moving into second.
The media narrative changed. They became surprise contenders with “surge” and “momentum” headlines. [Horse race coverage is blind to what is happening on the ground.]
Loomis can embrace his second-place status. He can take advantage of the media’s traditional personality-driven horse race coverage.
Horwath will need to head off a “surging” candidate scenario. This may explain why Horwath has not announced any platform planks. Best to use planks to push the media away from horse race coverage after Labour Day.
“On The Eve Of The Official Start To The Race For The Mayor’s Chair, Our Exclusive Poll Shows Two Clear Front-Runners. It’s McIver’s Race To Lose, Says Pollster,” declared a Calgary Herald headline on September 19, 2010.
CTV Calgary went further, “the race to be Calgary’s mayor is slowly turning into a one horse race,” the station declared.
29 days before election day, former Alderman Ric McIver polled at 43 percent, former news anchor Barb Higgins at 28 percent, and Nenshi a distant third at 8 percent.
October 5, another poll. McIver 31%, Higgins 28%, Nenshi 16%.
October 12, Ipsos Reid, Higgins 37%, McIver 34%, Nenshi 21%. “Higgins surges in front,” declares The Herald.
October 14, Leger Marketing. McIver 33.3%, Nenshi 30.1%, Higgins 29.6%.
On election day, October 18, 2010, Nenshi wins with 39.6 percent of the vote. McIver places second at 31.7 percent, Higgins third at 25.8 percent.
Winnipeg 2014 shares many commonalities with the present dynamic in Hamilton. Our political atmospheres are similar. The candidates share more of a common background.
2014 in Winnipeg saw political novice Brian Bowman, the Chamber of Commerce board chair, running for mayor.
The front-runner was veteran NDP politician Judy Wasylycia-Leis, an MLA and MP with 20 years in elected politics, who placed second in the 2010 mayoral race with 42.8 percent of the votes in a two-way race with the then-retiring mayor.
Veteran councillor Gord Steeves was an early contender whose campaign was sidetracked after racist comments published by his wife surfaced.
Robert-Falcon Ouellette joined the race later in the campaign and became a contender.
February 10, Insightrix. Wasylycia-Leis 42%, Steeves 17%, Bowman 6%.
Three other candidates were at or above six percent in this poll.
The poll asked “about trust in city hall to manage the city effectively.” “67% of respondents expressed very low (27%) or somewhat low (40%) trust,” the pollster’s release stated.
August 28, Forum Research. Wasylycia-Leis 34%, Bowman 21%, Steeves 20% of decided voters.
August 29, Probe Research. Wasylycia-Leis 42%, Steeves 23%, Bowman 16%.
Winnipeg media adopts the narrative that Wasylycia-Leis is a clear, and likely unbeatable, front-runner.
“Bowman, Steeves making it a one-horse race” was an August 29 Winnipeg Free Press headline.
September 9, Insightrix, Wasylycia-Leis 38%, Bowman 24%, Steeves 20.
October 3, Probe Research, Wasylycia-Leis 41%, Bowman 23%, Steeves 16%, Ouellette 9%.
Bowman gets a bounce from the October 3rd poll, as the Winnipeg Free Press declares “Bowman surges” between the August 29 and October 3 Probe Research polls.
Newspapers need a mayoral horse race; it draws eyeballs to their websites. They are in the business of selling eyeballs to advertisers. [We used to say in the business of selling newspapers.]
October 20, two days before the election, Insightrix, Bowman 39%, Wasylycia-Leis 36%, Ouellette 14%, Steeves 9%.
The Free Press reports, “The Insightrix poll indicates an ‘anyone but Judy’ mood has gripped certain parts of Winnipeg.”
On election day, October 18, 2014, Bowman wins with 47.54 percent of the vote, Wasylycia-Leis places second with 24.92 percent, Ouellette secures 15.70 percent, and Steeves a distant 8.99 percent.
This week’s Torstar poll arrived 89 days before Hamiltonians’ vote on October 24, 2022.
A lot will change in the coming, now 84 days, until the election.
Horwath and Loomis will run competitive campaigns. They will seek to dominate each of the legacy, new media, and social media news cycles each day.
Come Labour Day, this past week will be a long forgotten memory.

created: August 1, 2022


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Hamilton’s Erosion of Public Trust in Policing – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 8, 2022
The video is shocking, disturbing, and inexcusable.
Hamilton Police Constable Brian Wren repeatedly kicking a defenceless restrained man in the face, pressing his boot upon the face of a seemingly unconscious man.
The witness filming the incident is heard asking, “those are police?” in a shocked tone.
Whatever the man did prior to this brutal use of force is irrelevant.
His criminal record is irrelevant.
Police are not allowed to use excessive and unjustified force.
The Justice of the Peace who conducted the bail hearing for the man arrested reminded Hamilton Police of this basic fact.
This incident further erodes trust in policing. Without trust, police cannot function in a democratic state.
Hamilton Police charged one of their own in this incident.
Police have a difficult job. This is not a defence for excessive violence.
It is not just the high-profile incidents which undermine public confidence in the Hamilton Police.
It is the day-to-day interactions.
An officer recently sentenced to 18 months probation for assault when he lunged at a transgender woman for no apparent reason.
How many people can share stories of witnessing a Hamilton Police cruiser sitting at an intersection, the officer witnessing aggressive driving, and driving away seemingly oblivious to the offence in front of them?
I’ve heard more support for “Defund the Police” from people frustrated at the lack of police traffic enforcement than I do from those who believe police services should be disbanded.
Defund’s momentum will only grow in the absence of reform by police and their oversight agencies.
The current Police Board are not interrupting their summer schedules to address this latest incident.
There are other high-profile incidents in recent years, all of which the Police Board failed to respond to.
Is it any surprise?
Hamilton’s Police Board members see themselves as being part of the police force they are supposed to oversee. They parade around in custom-made blazers with oversized embroidered Hamilton Police crests.
This must change. Their role is to ensure civilian oversight, ensure the rule of law applies to all, and ensure the police force inspires public confidence.
It is true police are being asked to respond to social ills when there is no one else to respond.
It is true police are required to document and complete mounds of paperwork.
It is true it is a stressful job with exposure to horrific events and crime.
It remains true that police are expected to always conduct themselves with professionalism and courtesy.
Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen seems genuinely committed to restoring public trust in policing.
Bergen stood in front of media cameras this week and did not hide from the facts of Cst. Wren’s actions.
The Police Chief cannot restore trust on his own.
Every member of the HPS needs to work diligently and professionally in the coming months.
They also need a Police Board that supports them by doing its job ensuring oversight.
A new City Council will take office on November 15 and will take control of the Police Services Board.
It matters who they choose to be the next Hamilton Police Services Board.
Ask your council candidates what they will do to ensure public confidence in policing.

created: August 8, 2022


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 1 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 14, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 1, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 1 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 1 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 1 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are three questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its outdated residential zoning bylaws. Zoning across Ward 1 does not conform with the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law. In a 32-page decision issued in January, the Ontario Land Tribunal declared the Ainslie Wood Westdale Secondary Plan “dated” stating the plan has a “detrimental effect on achieving good planning outcomes as envisioned by provincial policy”
Updated zoning, if compliant with the Policy Statement, will return local control over planning. What is your vision for residential zoning in Ward 1, and how will you achieve it?
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development. There are applications along Main Street West throughout Ward 1 from the Ancaster border to Queen Street. Presently, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment. What is your vision for this type of redevelopment, and how will you achieve that vision?
13. There are four LRT stops planned within Ward 1, the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law – defines the 500-metres surrounding LRT stations as major transit station areas. In short, this is where density will be built. What is your vision for the major transit station areas, and how will you implement that vision?
14. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 1. Sadly, it took an extreme death toll this year for City Hall to finally begin to consider safety measures on Main Street. What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
18. It’s 2026. The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 12 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 4, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 12, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 12 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 12 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall, which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 12 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its residential zoning bylaws to conform with the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law. Ward 12’s zoning does not conform with the PPS. The result is ad-hoc changes being imposed by the Ontario Land Tribunal. What is your vision for zoning changes in Ward 12. Please specifically address Wilson Street, intensification within the Meadowlands, and existing low-density single-detached zones.
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development across Hamilton. There was one formal consultation conceptual plan submitted for a Meadowlands Plaza. At present, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment.
Within Ward 12, the plazas at Fiddlers Green and the portion of old Highway 2 that served as the Highway 403 connector decades ago, are good examples of potential redevelopment sites.
What is your vision for this type of redevelopment, and how will you achieve that vision?
13. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 12, with numerous pedestrian deaths in recent years which have shocked and saddened the community. What is your plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
12. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.4
17. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?

created: August 4, 2022


text:
The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 13 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 4, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 13, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 13 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 13 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8. How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 13 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are two questions on this topic:
11. The City of Hamilton is updating its residential zoning bylaws to conform with the Provincial Policy Statement – Ontario’s defacto planning law. Ward 13’s zoning does not conform with the PPS. The result is ad-hoc changes being imposed by the Ontario Land Tribunal. What is your vision for zoning changes in Ward 13. Please specifically address where and how you believe intensification should occur..
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development across Hamilton. Dundas has a few of these sites. At present, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment.
What is your vision for this type of redevelopment, and how will you achieve that vision?
13. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 13, with numerous pedestrian deaths in recent years which have shocked and saddened the community. What is your plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
12. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
15. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
17. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
18. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?


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The 155 Podcast Questions for Hamilton City Council Candidates in Ward 15 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 7, 2022
The Public Record is interviewing all candidates running in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election. In each race, the candidates are asked the same questions in our podcast interview.
The questions give candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform while asking them to explain how they will make decisions during the four years they hope to sit on City Council.
The questions they will be answering are listed below.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on Google Play, iTunes, Spotify or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
1. Who is [NAME]?
2. Why are you running?
3. Do you live in Ward 15, Yes or No?
3a. Does it matter if one lives in the community one seeks to represent?
4. How have you contributed to your community and our city?
5. What are two of your priorities for Ward 15 and two of your priorities for Hamilton as a whole?
6. What are three skills you will bring to elected office that makes you the best choice to represent Ward 15 on Hamilton City Council?
The following preamble leads to questions regarding honesty and transparency.
Let’s presume you are elected.
During your first few weeks, you will be briefed regarding what City Hall refers to as “Confidential Matters.”
We do not know what “confidential matters” are presently being withheld from the citizens of Hamilton.
All four councillors first elected in 2018 initially voted to support the Cootes Paradise cover-up, before three of the new councillors began voting against the continuing cover-up.
The Municipal Act prohibits members of Council from releasing information the majority of Council declares “confidential.”
7. What principles and advice will help you determine what information should be confidential and what information should be made public?
The Red Hill Inquiry will issue its report early in the next term of Council.
The revelations regarding how City Hall ignored problems on the expressway and the toxic culture at City Hall which silenced good people are shocking.
8.  How do you plan to review and consider the final Inquiry report when the Commission releases its findings and recommendations?
9. The construction of the B-Line LRT will begin during this term of Council. It will be the largest construction project in Hamilton’s recent history. How do you plan to respond to construction challenges and opportunities?
Before we turn to land-use planning, let’s have a lighter question.
10. What is something interesting or unique within Ward 15 that you believe the rest of Hamilton should know about?
City Council decides land-use planning and zoning. It decides where housing and businesses are located, and the type of housing and businesses which are permitted in locations.
There are three questions on this topic:
11. The new Waterdown Secondary Plan and Transportation Master Plan lays out the plan for modest intensification within Ward 15’s urban area with a goal of creating safe active transporation corridors in Waterdown. How will you implement the Secondary and Transportation plans? Please provide two specific plan goals you hope to achieve during the upcoming term of Council – beyond the implementation of the By-Pass road.
12. Large commercial plaza sites are converting into mixed-use mid-rise development across Hamilton. Dundas Street has a few of these sites. At present, there is no City planning policy specific to commercial to mixed-use redevelopment.
What is your vision for this type of redevelopment and how will you achieve that vision?
13. The Transportation Master Plan states 35 percent of trips originating in Waterdown are to destinations within the town, 29 percent are destined to other points in Hamilton, and 22 percent are destined to Halton. What is your vision for transportation links within and beyond Waterdown?
14. Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 15, with numerous pedestrian deaths in recent years which have shocked and saddened the community. What is your plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of your plan.
Turning to governance and expertise. Let’s use the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or trade and apply it to being a municipal councillor. One person cannot be an expert in all matters which come before Council for decision.
15. How will you gain the necessary learning to be able to make informed decisions – what reading do you do, what professional development will you look for, and what types of people will you seek advice from?
16. What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
17. What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
It’s 2026, The Public Record is writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending.
18. What three words do you hope we will use to describe your term on Council, and what three words do you hope will describe Council as a whole?
19. Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?

created: August 7, 2022


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TPR Election Blog: HamiltoNEXT versus HamiltonNext with Two Ns – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

September 15, 2022
HamiltonNEXT, with one N, is the development industry’s municipal election campaign branding.
The campaign from the construction, real estate, and land-use development industry is asking Hamiltonians to #FrameOurFuture with information booths at various events and festivals across our region.
I’m sure you are thinking to yourself “Hamilton Next,” that is good branding. But not so fast, because after HamiltonNext launched at www.hamiltonext.ca – again one N, someone purchased www.hamiltonnext.ca – with two Ns.
HamiltonNext.ca redirects to the website of Stop Sprawl Hamilton, the grassroots campaign which successfully convinced City Council to freeze the urban boundary.
It is the biggest political loss Hamilton’s development industry has ever experienced.
The development industry registered their single N domain on July 18th.
Whomever purchased the two N domain did so on September 1st.
A reminder that when you are framing the future, make sure you purchase all the similar URLs to your campaign.

created: September 15, 2022


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City, Neighbours, and Developer Reach Settlement on 130 Wellington Street South – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

October 4, 2022
The City of Hamilton, neighbourhood representative Jesse Razaqpur, and the owners of 130 Wellington Street South have reached a “confidential settlement” to end the ongoing Ontario Land Tribunal hearing regarding the legalization of a multiplex on the property.
The Ontario Land Tribunal issued a notice of the settlement Tuesday morning.
“The parties have had settlement discussions regarding this matter and reached a tentative settlement,” wrote lawyer Piera A. Segreto to the Tribunal on September 29, 2022.
The OLT asked the parties to state when a settlement hearing can occur.
Patrick Kraemer, an outside lawyer representing Hamilton City Council in opposing the rental legalization, responded the settlement must be approved and the earliest date the new City Council can consider the matter is November 29, 2022, “but it is possible that it may not be considered until January 17, 2023.”
The property owner applied to legalize six units in the three-storey Victorian home. The City’s planning staff recommended approval.
A group of neighbours mobilized in opposition to rental housing, stating there are already too many renters in the downtown Corktown neighbourhood.
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr agreed with their concerns, and Council voted down the application.
City Council hired an outside lawyer and experts to oppose the application.
Farr stated his expectation the Ontario Land Tribunal will overturn Council’s denial, and approve the application as it meets the requirements of both City of Hamilton policies and provincial planning policies.
The settlement details will remain confidential until the OLT conducts the settlement hearing.
Update, January 10, 2023: The OLT settlement hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. by video conference.

created: October 4, 2022


text:
DiCenzo Construction Alleges a OLT Appellant Sought Monetary Payment to Drop Appeal – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

October 7, 2022
DiCenzo Construction Company’s principal Anthony DiCenzo claims an appellant against one of their projects had their lawyer advise him they would withdraw their appeal for a sum of money “in the five figures.”
The allegations are detailed in an Ontario Land Tribunal ruling issued yesterday.
DiCenzo sought a rare costs order against the appellant who filed an appeal against Hamilton City Council’s approval of a subdivision at 311-313 Stone Church Road East.
The appeal by Carlo Silvestri was dismissed for failing to provide planning evidence back in May.
In yesterday’s cost motion denial ruling, OLT Member Scott Tousaw details the allegations of Dicenzo, which include that Silvestri lodged a criminal complaint against Anthony Dicenzo.
The Tribunal determined the allegations to be “not found proven” in the absence of cross-examination noting “there have been indications of potential misconduct.”
DiCenzo sent Silvestri an email which the Tribunal summarizes as “requesting a phone call to discuss costs, and that if a response was not made within 48 hours, the Applicant would file a Motion for costs.”
The ruling states that DiCenzo received a phone call from Hamilton Police following this. “After hearing Mr. Dicenzo’s contextual explanation, the Police closed their enquiry.”
The ruling states DiCenzo Construction alleged in its cost motion that a lawyer for Silvestra told Anthony Dicenzon in a telephone conversation that “the Appellant would be prepared to withdraw the appeal in exchange for a sum of money ‘in the five figures.’”
The company further alleges that “Mr. DiCenzo was advised by his planning consultant that the Appellant said that the Applicant could ‘make the matter go away with the right dollar amount.'”
OLT Member Tousaw writes, “there is no evidence from [DiCenzo]’s planning consultant on his/her conversation with [Silvestri].”
In his response, the Tribunal states Silvestri denies the allegations of a request for money. He told the Tribunal he contacted police because he did not know the source of an email.
“It is difficult to understand how the Appellant could not have known, or at least, deduced, that the person attempting to connect via email and phone was Mr. DiCenzo,” Tousaw writes. “This event alone, while unfortunate for all, is not sufficient to find an award of costs.”
“While the actions of the Appellant may have ‘reached the line’ of unacceptable behaviour and conflicting statements, they are found to not necessitate a cost award,” Tousaw concludes.

created: October 7, 2022


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Election Blog: Keanin Loomis’ YWCA Incident and the CityHousing Hamilton Comments – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

October 13, 2022
This is a corrected version. Loomis did not moderate the event.
Mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis is facing a skeleton of his past today as The Hamilton Spectator has confirmed Loomis confronted a YWCA manager in 2019 following a published critique of a Chamber event.
The incident was discussed in chattering circles over the years, with the people involved declining to go on the record. There is plenty more detail in TheSpec article.
My summary is minimal – go read TheSpec’s work here.
There was commentary at the time regarding having men on stage with Obama, especially when the marketing focused on her as a female role model and leader.
The event contract with Michelle Obama stipulated the format and who was on stage.
Medora Uppal wrote an op-ed published in TheSpec on October 24, 2019, that was headlined “In praise of Michelle Obama’s fierceness.”
In it, Uppal stated it should’ve been another woman onstage interviewing Obama.
“While two well intentioned white men introduced and interviewed Michelle (and yes, I call all my heroes by their first name), I wondered why space hadn’t been made for other women on that stage. Michelle was fabulous as always and the men did a fine job, but I thought about how different the conversation would have been if a local woman had been up there interviewing her.”
Loomis is not mentioned by name, and Uppal appears to have taken great care in choosing non-confrontational language.
“I think men, particularly white men, have a different understanding of Michelle than do women. It’s not an invalid perspective, it’s just not a perspective I am interested in when I want to hear her speak. I did agree with the interviewer when he said we need more Michelle Obamas in this world. We certainly do and fortunately we have them, they are all around us. They were in the audience. They we were right there in front of him, the Michelle Obamas he was looking for. But he, like so many other men, missed the point. If you really want more Michelles, some people need to step aside, make space, and get off the stage.”
Following publication of this op-ed, Loomis called Uppal’s boss to complain and then showed up in person at the YWCA to complain further.
TheSpec notes Loomis apologized, his apology was accepted, and today’s story quotes Loomis stating regret ..
This incident completely overshadows the challenge Loomis faced following a comment – or at least how it was tweeted – last night during one of his Town Halls.
Kevin Werner tweeted “Ham mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis says Ham ‘needs to get out of housing. We need to do that in long run.’ Says city should “be able to rely on not-for-profits to build affordable housing.” Says take CityHousing Hamilton’s $51m budget and give it to non-profits to use.”
Loomis issued a statement this morning, “I want to make myself 100% clear: our housing plan does not involve touching CityHousing Hamilton’s budget, nor do we intend to change the vital role CHH plays in providing affordable housing to its 13,000 tenants.”
Werner’s accuracy is excellent. The quote was said.
I was not in the audience last night. I have been to many debates and speeches during which I’ve heard Loomis speak on housing and CityHousing Hamilton.
Based upon statements made at those other events, I take the comments as referencing that CityHousing Hamilton is inefficient and bureaucratic, and new affordable housing is better built and operated by the City’s various non-profit and charitable housing agencies.
Loomis repeatedly states the City should waive development charges for these housing providers, the same as it does for CityHousing Hamilton.
Privatizing CityHousing Hamilton? The municipality is prohibited from doing so.
Werner follow up tweets.
Kevin Werner adds more context on Twitter this afternoon.
He confirms Loomis stated, “The city needs to get out of housing” and adds Loomis stated the CityHousing Hamilton budget of $51 million should be provided to Indwell.
Bratina Statement on Housing
At 2:21 p.m. Thursday, mayoral candidate Bob Bratina issued a statement opposing the “privatization of public housing.”
Bratina’s statement includes “I was shocked to hear that one of my opponents announced last night that he would gut CityHousing Hamilton and get Hamilton out of the housing business. This would throw 13,000 tenants into great uncertainty. He also committed to providing CHH’s $51 million annual budget to unnamed third party groups. This is outrageous.” [Full statement here]
Horwath Statement on Housing
At 4:55 p.m. Thursday, mayoral candidate Andrea Horwath issued a statement opposing a “$51 million cut to public housing.”
Horwath statement includes “Housing is a human right. Period. Everyone has a role to play in ending homelessness: government, not-for-profits, and community. As mayor, equitable access to housing of all kinds will be my number one priority – not making a $51-million cut to public housing.” [Full statement here]

created: October 13, 2022