Compare candidates

Allow gentle density only where capacity exists; push high-rises downtown.

• High-density towers don't fit one-storey neighbourhoods
• Infrastructure-first development: sewers, parking, schools must cope

Confidence:High

Danko would work with partners and leverage funding for affordable housing for all.

• Her platform's priorities include collaborating with police and first responders on neighbourhood safety.
• Also calls for timely road and infrastructure repairs and an Upper James corridor traffic plan.

Confidence:High

Freeze non-essential spending; cap property tax hikes below inflation.

• Residents squeezed by rising taxes and unchecked spending
• Endless budget hikes must stop

Confidence:High

Danko would cut residential taxes by growing the commercial tax base and focusing on core services.

• Would respect tax dollars by focusing on core city services.
• Priorities also include safe neighbourhoods, parks, property standards and city-hall accountability.

Confidence:High

Give residents confidence City Hall spends tax dollars responsibly.

• Residents pay more in property taxes and deserve reliable services
• Review spending for value and keep infrastructure apace with growth

Confidence:High

Find efficiencies and cut wasteful spending before raising taxes.

• Oppose tax hikes; demand every dollar returns real value
• Taxpayers are paying more and getting less

Confidence:High

Tackle traffic safety and property crime with permanent traffic calming.

• Side-street cut-throughs endanger children and pedestrians
• Permanent speed bumps and visible community policing to deter crime

Confidence:High

Partner with police and traffic staff on problem areas for safer streets.

• Public safety, speeding and careless driving are growing concerns
• Work with Hamilton Police Service and traffic staff on problem spots

Confidence:High

Ensure police have resources to crack down on crime and drug dealing.

• Crime, home invasions, car theft and needles in parks are top concerns
• Review city-funded harm-reduction programs; favor treatment over use

Confidence:High

New development must come with the transit and infrastructure it needs.

• Growth must be supported by transit and infrastructure
• Development should contribute fairly to what it requires

Confidence:High

Backs LRT — if it is not too late for the project.

• Names LRT as a ward issue, with skepticism about timing

Confidence:High

Fix severe potholes and gridlock on Stone Church, Upper James, Mohawk, Fennell.

• Core municipal services declining despite high taxes
• Prioritize urgent pothole repairs on major arteries

Confidence:High

Prioritize traffic-safety measures like signal timing at incident hot spots.

• Road safety, road conditions and affordability are the top three issues
• Fix side effects where traffic calming pushes cut-through traffic onto other streets

Confidence:High

Prioritize road and sidewalk repairs across Ward 8.

• Deteriorating roads and traffic congestion top concerns
• Push to reduce delays and bureaucracy for residents and businesses

Confidence:High

Address the condition of Ward 8's infrastructure.

• Infrastructure condition is a top concern
• Also names homelessness and the drug crisis as ward issues

Confidence:High

Expand the commercial tax base with clean-tech and med-tech hubs.

• Incentivize future-oriented clean-tech and med-tech hubs
• Tie careers to Mohawk and McMaster

Confidence:High

Grow the commercial and industrial tax base.

• Commercial and industrial tax-base growth is a priority
• Leverage other governments' funding for infrastructure and housing

Confidence:High

Attract solid industry for growth and meaningful jobs — beyond Amazon.

• Attract solid industry to promote growth
• Meaningful jobs: there's better out there than just Amazon

Confidence:High

Taramov, a pianist, would make the arts sector his council priority for economic growth and quality of life.

• Would strongly advocate for arts support from provincial, federal and private sources and for cutting red tape.
• Wants affordable city-owned venues and developer requirements for cultural space in new builds.
• Would use suburban parks and community hubs for affordable rehearsal and performance space beyond downtown.

Confidence:High

Damerchie supports the arts sector with responsible funding that delivers clear community value.

• Would review the City Enrichment Fund for demand, fair distribution and value to residents, including multi-year funding.
• Would review rates and policies for city-owned cultural spaces and support shared-use spaces.
• Believes consultation with the sector should happen early enough to influence decisions.

Confidence:High