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← Councillor Ward 2

Eisham Abdulkarim

Candidate for Councillor Ward 2

In their own words

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Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Protect existing affordable housing, strengthen tenant supports, fast-track viable affordable projects.

  • Protect existing affordable housing
  • Move viable projects through City process faster
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would focus on protecting existing affordable housing, strengthening tenant supports and moving viable affordable and supportive housing projects through the City process faster.”

Source: Ward 2 profile (CBC Hamilton Q&A) · September 22, 2026

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

Scrutinize spending before supporting any tax increase; every tax increase should be justified to the people paying it.

  • Scrutinize spending and question programs not delivering measurable results
  • Seek Hamilton's fair share of provincial and federal funding
  • Pre-budget neighbourhood discussions before decisions are made
Show their words & source (a page or more)
“I will promise that every tax increase should be justified to the people paying it.”

Source: Policies | Eisham Abdulkarim for Ward 2 · October 24, 2026

Confidence:High

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Ward 2 Safety Action Plan: coordinate police, by-law, outreach, mental-health, housing services.

  • Safety Action Plan for recurring problem areas
  • Coordinate police, by-law, outreach, mental-health, housing
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would implement a Ward 2 Safety Action Plan focused on recurring problem areas, with better coordination among police, by-law, outreach, mental-health and housing services.”

Source: Ward 2 profile (CBC Hamilton Q&A) · September 22, 2026

Confidence:High

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

Reliable, accessible transit with transparent LRT timelines, protected pedestrian access and support for affected businesses.

  • Clear construction schedules and public reporting when milestones slip
  • Safe pedestrian routes and barrier-free access during construction
  • Business-impact and mitigation plan with one accountable point of contact
Show their words & source (a page or more)
“Reliable, accessible transit with transparent construction timelines, protected pedestrian access, practical support for affected businesses and clear accountability for neighbourhood impacts.”

Source: Policies | Eisham Abdulkarim for Ward 2 · October 24, 2026

Confidence:High

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

Regular open-door hours, a Ward 2 Community Roundtable, and public reporting on priorities.

  • Open-door hours and community roundtable
  • Public reporting on neighbourhood priorities
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would establish regular open-door hours, a Ward 2 Community Roundtable and public reporting on neighbourhood priorities.”

Source: Ward 2 profile (CBC Hamilton Q&A) · September 22, 2026

Confidence:High

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Track roads, sidewalks, lighting, dumping, graffiti and maintenance ward-by-ward, with follow-up on recurring problems.

  • Ward-level tracking of recurring service requests and unresolved hotspots
  • Community Safety Walks to identify lighting and maintenance concerns
  • Public status updates when problems need more than a routine call
Show their words & source (a page or more)
“Track roads, sidewalks, lighting, dumping, graffiti, needles and maintenance ward-by-ward, with clear follow-up when recurring problems are reported.”

Source: Policies | Eisham Abdulkarim for Ward 2 · October 24, 2026

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Treat local businesses as partners in neighbourhood recovery, with cleaner, safer, more active commercial streets.

  • Cleanliness, lighting, streetscape maintenance and active public spaces
  • Business Partnership Initiative for recurring ward-level issues
  • Earlier notice and coordination around construction and closures
Show their words & source (a page or more)
“Local businesses should be treated as partners in neighbourhood recovery, not as an afterthought when major construction or public-space decisions are made.”

Source: Policies | Eisham Abdulkarim for Ward 2 · October 24, 2026

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Abdulkarim would treat arts as part of economic development and downtown revitalization, not an isolated budget item.

  • Would review the City Enrichment Fund's sustainability and distribution, with attention to smaller and emerging organizations.
  • Would inventory city-owned cultural spaces and examine pricing so public space is not unaffordable to local organizations.
  • Proposes a Ward 2 Community Roundtable giving the arts sector a regular avenue on affordability, space and downtown development.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“On Council, I would therefore treat arts and culture as part of our broader approach to economic development, downtown revitalization and community wellbeing—not as an isolated budget item.”

Source: CANDIDATE SURVEY: HAMILTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2026 - Hamilton City Magazine (Hamilton Arts Council survey) · September 23, 2026

Confidence:High

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Pause major data-centre commitments until independent evidence on electricity, water and environmental impacts, with enforceable benefits.

  • Independent analysis of electricity, water, infrastructure and environmental impacts
  • Transparent disclosure of public costs, incentives and long-term obligations
  • Enforceable community-benefit commitments where the City has leverage
Show their words & source (a page or more)
“Pause major commitments until independent evidence shows the electricity, water, infrastructure and environmental impacts, with enforceable community benefits and meaningful resident input.”

Source: Policies | Eisham Abdulkarim for Ward 2 · October 24, 2026

Confidence:High

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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