Media Release: City of Hamilton and Hamilton Waterfront Trust announce next phase of Hamilton waterfront transition

Protecting waterfront experiences residents value while strengthening long-term oversight

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton and Hamilton Waterfront Trust (HWT) will complete the planned transition of the HWT effective March 31, 2026, with all programming, services and assets transitioning fully to City of Hamilton operations beginning April 1, 2026, with no interruption to waterfront services.

Residents and visitors can expect the same waterfront programming and public access they enjoy today to continue under City management.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trust has played an important role in supporting projects and programming that expanded public access to the waterfront and contributed to the vibrancy of the city. As part of Council’s review of long-term governance and financial sustainability, the City determined that bringing waterfront operations fully under municipal management will strengthen oversight and ensure long-term stewardship of the waterfront.

“Hamilton’s waterfront is one of our city’s greatest shared assets - a place where residents gather, families spend time together, and visitors experience the best of our community,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. "Bringing waterfront operations fully under city management strengthens the long-term stewardship of

The Horwath Factor and Vote Splitting

 At The Hamiltonian, we often times receive   information, tips and speculation from our readers.   Recently, an individual who we regard as influential   speculated that Andrea Horwath will not be running in  the Mayoral election.

We reached out the Mayor's office today to ask the question. The Mayor's office replied and confirmed that Ms. Horwath, as previously stated, is, in fact running. 

While the field may yet expand, a contest featuring incumbent Mayor Andrea Horwath, businessman and former Chamber of Commerce CEO Keanin Loomis, and Ward 15 Councillor Rob Cooper already suggests a three-way race that could present voters with sharply different visions for the city.

Horwath enters the race as the incumbent, and with that comes both advantages and vulnerabilities. Incumbency provides visibility, experience in governing, and the ability to point to accomplishments achieved during her term. It also allows her to present herself as a steady hand at a time when municipalities face pressures ranging from housing shortages to infrastructure demands and strained municipal finances.

At the same time, incumbency inevitably places a record under the microscope. Voters will evaluate the progress made on issues such as housing affordability, downtown revitalization, fiscal management, and the overall tone and effectiveness of council governance. Horwath’s campaign will likely emphasize stability and experience, while critics will attempt to frame the past term as insufficiently transformative.

Keanin Loomis enters the race with a different profile. In the previous mayoral election, Loomis proved to be a formidable challenger, capturing more than 46,000 votes and coming within striking distance of victory. That performance demonstrated that a large portion of the electorate was receptive to his message of managerial leadership and economic focus.

Loomis’ strength lies in presenting himself as an outsider to municipal politics but an insider to the business and economic development community. His campaign is expected to emphasize efficiency at City Hall, economic competitiveness, and a results-oriented approach to governance. However, the challenge Loomis faces this time is different from last election. He will now be running against an incumbent mayor rather than an open field, and voters who may have been willing to try something new may now weigh continuity against change.

Councillor Rob Cooper represents yet another lane in the emerging contest. As a sitting member of council, Cooper brings direct experience inside City Hall but positions himself as a reform-minded voice who believes the city must be run more like a multibillion-dollar enterprise. His message has consistently emphasized fiscal discipline, accountability, and structural change in how the city manages its resources. Cooper also speaks the language of measureables and performance expectations; language that our readers will know has often been used by The Hamiltonian. 

Cooper’s candidacy could appeal to voters who want change but are not necessarily drawn to an outsider candidate. However, his challenge may be differentiating himself clearly from both Horwath’s incumbency and Loomis’ business-oriented outsider narrative. In a three-way race, the ability to define a unique lane becomes critical.

The dynamics of such a contest could be particularly interesting. Horwath may focus on consolidating the progressive and institutional support that often accompanies incumbency. Loomis may aim to build a coalition of business leaders, moderates, and voters seeking managerial competence and economic momentum. Cooper may attempt to attract voters frustrated with both traditional politics and what they perceive as insufficient fiscal rigor at City Hall.

Another factor will be vote splitting. If Loomis and Cooper both appeal to voters seeking change in city leadership, their presence in the race could divide that vote, potentially benefiting the incumbent. On the other hand, if either challenger succeeds in consolidating the “change” vote, the race could tighten considerably. Perhaps there is a conversation to be had between Loomis and Cooper.

Campaign narratives will also matter. Issues such as property taxes, housing development, infrastructure spending, and the broader economic trajectory of Hamilton are likely to dominate debate. Voters will be listening carefully for who offers not only criticism of the status quo but credible solutions.

For now, the contours of the race are only beginning to emerge. But if the contest does indeed take shape as a three-way battle between Andrea Horwath, Keanin Loomis, and Rob Cooper, Hamilton voters may find themselves choosing between three distinct governing philosophies: the stability of incumbency, the promise of business-driven leadership, and a call for structural reform within City Hall.

One thing already seems certain — if these three names anchor the race, Hamilton’s next mayoral campaign is unlikely to lack for contrast.

Learning from history.....

Looking at the 2022 Hamilton mayoral election geographically helps explain why the race between Andrea Horwath, Keanin Loomis, and potentially other contenders was closer than many expected. The vote patterns in Hamilton tend to follow three broad political regions: the Lower City (old Hamilton core), the Mountain, and the suburban communities such as Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, and Flamborough.

Lower City (Downtown and Central Hamilton)

Andrea Horwath performed extremely well in the lower city wards. Areas such as Wards 2 and 3 — the downtown core, the North End, and parts of east Hamilton — are traditionally more progressive and union-friendly. Horwath’s long history as the local MPP for Hamilton Centre gave her strong name recognition and organizational support here. These neighbourhoods produced some of her most decisive margins. This base was critical to her victory.

Hamilton Mountain

The Mountain was more competitive. Many voters there were receptive to Keanin Loomis’s message about economic growth, fiscal management, and bringing a business mindset to city hall. Loomis ran strongly in several Mountain polling areas, narrowing Horwath’s advantage. However, Horwath still held enough support across the Mountain to prevent Loomis from turning it into a decisive base.

Suburban Hamilton (Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Stoney Creek)

These areas were the most fragmented. Bob Bratina performed particularly well here, especially in parts of Stoney Creek and east Hamilton where he had historic support from his time as mayor and MP. In Ancaster, Dundas, and parts of Flamborough, Loomis also found a receptive audience among voters looking for a more business-focused approach to city governance.

Horwath’s victory was built on three pillars:

1. A dominant vote in the lower city.

2. Competitive performance on the Mountain.

3. A divided suburban vote between Loomis and Bratina.

What this means for a future race

If a future mayoral contest features Andrea Horwath, Keanin Loomis, and Rob Cooper, the geography could shift in important ways. First, Bob Bratina’s former voters become the most important political free agents in the city. Many of those voters lean more fiscally conservative and could gravitate toward Loomis or Cooper depending on campaign messaging.

Second, Cooper — as a current city councillor — could potentially pull support from suburban or east-end voters who want a mayor with council experience but who are not aligned with Horwath’s political background.

Third, Horwath will likely continue to dominate the lower city unless another candidate successfully breaks into that base.

In short, the next Hamilton mayoral race could hinge less on Horwath’s traditional support and more on who captures the voters that previously backed Bratina and the suburban electorate. If those voters consolidate behind a single challenger, the race becomes highly competitive. If they split again, Horwath could once more benefit from a divided opposition.

Horwath Declines Hamiltonian Interview

In keeping with our ongoing series of interviews with declared and prospective contenders for Mayor of Hamilton, and consistent with the discussions we have already published with Rob Cooper http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2026/03/with-mayoral-contender-rob-cooper.html and Keanin Loomis http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2026/03/with-mayoral-contender-keanin-loomis.html, The Hamiltonian has extended the same invitation to Mayor Andrea Horwath to participate in this series.

In the interest of fairness, balance, and neutrality, we reached out to Mayor Horwath to offer her the opportunity to respond to the same line of inquiry presented to other mayoral contenders. We posed the following questions:

1. Your first term has included navigating complex issues such as housing affordability, economic development, and labour disruptions. Which of these do you feel remains unfinished business that motivates you to consider another run? What issue do you believe you have made significant positive progress on?

2. Several potential challengers have begun positioning themselves as alternatives to the current leadership. For example, Mr. Loomis and Mr. Cooper. What would you say distinguishes your vision for Hamilton from those who may seek the office and what makes you the best choice?

3. Some critics argue that City Hall can still feel divided on key issues. How would you work in a second term to build stronger consensus among council members and the broader community?

4. What would success look like for Hamilton by the end of a second Andrea Horwath term? In other words, what changes would you hope residents would clearly see or feel in their daily lives

5. What would you say to Hamiltonians who are still undecided about whether the city needs continuity in leadership or a new direction? 

The Mayor declined the opportunity to answer these questions, giving no reason. 

The Hamiltonian will continue to provide fair and even coverage as things proceed and we will continue to reach out to the Mayor at the appropriate times.

With Mayoral Contender, Rob Cooper

Councillor Rob Cooper, who was elected to Ward 8 in a recent byelection and has since announced his intention to seek the mayor’s office, joins the growing field that includes incumbent Mayor Andrea Horwath and former chamber executive Keanin Loomis.

Cooper has framed his campaign around affordability, fiscal discipline, and what he describes as the need to run City Hall with stronger business practices. In the following interview, we asked Councillor Cooper to elaborate on his motivations for running, the ideas behind his approach to governing, and how he believes he distinguishes himself in what is shaping up to be a closely watched mayoral contest.

What follows is our conversation with Rob Cooper.

You are running against an incumbent mayor with extensive political experience and a recent near victor in Mr. Loomis who presents himself as an executive outsider. Some observers suggest your bid may be premature given your relatively short tenure on council. How do you respond to those who question whether this is the right timing for you to seek the mayor’s office?

I ran on real change in Hamilton. When I joined City Council, I discovered that the ability to change the direction of the city largely resides with the mayor, for better or worse.

Over the last four years, the city has increased taxes by 23 percent, and every meaningful benchmark at the city has gotten worse.

Hamilton is a multibillion-dollar city. Mayor Horwath has never run a multibillion-dollar organization, and neither has Mr. Loomis. The learning curve for them has been, and would continue to be, steep. Every $13 million mistake represents roughly a one percent tax increase for every taxpayer in Hamilton. There have been a lot of $13 million mistakes.

Hamiltonians expect better.

The difference is that I have spent my career successfully transforming complex multibillion-dollar organizations and have the experience to deliver real change for the City of Hamilton. Both of the other candidates are learning on the job. As Hamiltonians have discovered over the last four years under Ms. Horwath, that is a very expensive approach.

I am running for mayor because Hamilton needs experienced leadership right now to transform the city and unlock its potential to be the economic engine of Canada.

You have stated that Hamilton must be run like a multibillion-dollar business — a phrase frequently used in politics. On Day One of a Cooper administration, what specific operational or governance changes would demonstrate that this is more than rhetoric? What would residents tangibly see or experience differently?

For me, that begins immediately with the 2027 budget.

On day one, residents would see a shift toward a budget that is tied to outcomes and service levels that

With Mayoral Contender, Keanin Loomis

In the previous mayoral race, Keanin Loomis gave Andrea Horwath a strong challenge, securing 46,326 votes to Horwath’s 59,544 in the contest for Mayor of the City of Hamilton. The result sent a clear message: Loomis was widely viewed as a credible contender and came within striking distance of the mayor’s chair.Now, Loomis has once again declared his intention to run for mayor.                                                                                                                                            This time, however, he enters the race with the advantage of prior campaign experience and an established base of support on which to build. With that in mind, we reached out to Mr. Loomis to discuss his decision to run again and the vision he has for Hamilton. What follows is our conversation with Keanin Loomis.

You previously ran for Mayor after what you described as significant reflection and discernment. As you prepare for another campaign, which of your original motivations remain unchanged? Have new considerations — personal, political, or civic — influenced your decision to run again? What specifically has crystallized for you between then and now?

My desire to lead this city certainly has not changed. I’m running for mayor because I love this city and I believe deeply in its potential. In 2022, I ran a positive campaign rooted in listening, honesty, and real connection with people — and I plan to do a lot of the same this time.

Over the past few years, my work has taken me across Ontario and Canada, leading organizations, navigating complex challenges, and advocating for industries that matter to communities like ours. Those experiences gave me further perspective on what effective leadership looks like when it’s focused on execution and results.

What has crystallized for me is that Hamilton’s potential is endless. We have the talent, the institutions, and the community spirit to thrive. What is missing is the leadership that pulls it all together. To me, leadership is about service. And the call to serve now rings louder than ever.

The political landscape is different in 2026. Assuming Mayor Andrea Horwath seeks re-election, you would be challenging an incumbent who can point to a governing record and executive experience. How do you intend to contrast your candidacy with that of a sitting mayor? In practical terms, what do you offer that compensates for not having held the office?

I’m going to let the Mayor’s track record speak for itself. Voters can judge the past — I’m focused on what comes next.

I believe not being a career politician is an asset. First, I don’t bring any baggage or partisanship to the

The House of Horwath- Back in the Spotlight

Integrity complaints, court filings, and unanswered questions continue to place Hamilton’s mayor under scrutiny.What began as a private property dispute has evolved into a public governance issue that Hamiltonians are watching closely.

The controversy surrounding a residential property owned by Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath on West Avenue North continues to generate questions about municipal process, transparency, and the optics of leadership.

The property — occupied by Horwath’s former common-law partner — first came to public attention after an engineering report commissioned by the mayor concluded the structure was unsafe and recommended it be vacated and demolished. The City of Hamilton subsequently issued an emergency order to vacate and demolish the house.

However, the situation quickly became more complicated.

A Superior Court judge later invalidated the city’s emergency demolition order, citing procedural concerns and the fact that the city relied heavily on the privately commissioned engineering report rather than conducting its own independent inspection before issuing the order.

A second engineering review later suggested the house could potentially be stabilized rather than demolished. In response, city crews were dispatched to perform emergency stabilization work. Under municipal procedure, the cost of such work can ultimately be added to the property owner’s tax bill.

The issue did not end there.

Mayor Horwath has since taken the City of Hamilton to court, challenging the property standards order and seeking permission to demolish the structure. Court filings reportedly argue that the cost of repairs — estimated to exceed six figures — would be financially unreasonable compared to demolition.

Meanwhile, the city’s Integrity Commissioner has confirmed that several complaints have been filed relating to the matter. The nature of those complaints has not been publicly disclosed, and investigations by the commissioner remain confidential until a report is completed.

At this stage, no finding of wrongdoing has been made. But the political dimension of the situation is unavoidable.

Municipal leaders frequently debate issues surrounding landlord responsibilities, housing standards, tenant protections, and property enforcement. Mayor Horwath herself has long been associated with strong tenant-protection positions during both her provincial and municipal political career.

That context inevitably raises questions when a dispute involving one of her own properties becomes entangled with city enforcement processes.

In municipal politics, the appearance of fairness can matter almost as much as fairness itself. The mayor has largely refrained from discussing the details publicly, citing ongoing legal proceedings. From a legal perspective that is understandable. From a civic perspective, however, limited public explanation can allow speculation to fill the gap.

The issue for many Hamilton residents is not simply the condition of one house on West Avenue North.

Rather, the broader concern is whether the systems of municipal enforcement operate consistently — regardless of who owns the property involved.

Hamiltonians reasonably expect that the same standards apply to everyone, from first-time homeowners to the mayor herself.

The Hamiltonian is not suggesting that the Mayor intervened, pulled strings, or otherwise improperly influenced staff. At this stage, there is no evidence to support such a conclusion. As a matter of principle, we believe it is important to avoid speculation or allegations of impropriety unless they are supported by credible evidence.

The courts will ultimately determine the legal questions surrounding the demolition order and property standards enforcement. The Integrity Commissioner will determine whether any ethical concerns exist.

Until those processes are complete, however, the matter remains both a legal story and a political one..