1.You are a seasoned public servant with many years of political and leadership experience. What advice would you offer to individuals considering entering municipal politics, particularly as a city councillor? In your view, what are some key “do’s and don’ts” for serving effectively in this role?
Over the years I have had the privilege of working with many people dedicated to public service. People interested in contesting for elected office often ask for advice. My general response to your question is as follows:
* get to know your turf. Define and focus on issues that concern people and you. It helps if you can identify what is broken and how you intend to fix it.
* be BOLD - do your homework and treat everyone you meet with respect.
* Decide what it is that you want to achieve and how best to communicate it
* Be reminded that while ability is important, hard work on-the-ground is even more important.
* No one wants to be led by a pessimist. Try to keep your message both clear and positive.
* Politics is about addition, not subtraction. You will need to build ad hoc issue-based coalitions to be successful.
* Always tell people the truth and not just what you believe they may want to hear, and finally
* Recognize that it is often better to give people a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind.
2. Homelessness remains one of Hamilton’s most pressing social issues. In your opinion, what strategies or initiatives is the city getting right in addressing homelessness, and where might you suggest we rethink or refine our approach to achieve better outcomes?
Building housing and responding to the challenges of homelessness is complex. It would help immensely if we had a ''shared sense of purpose", focused on developing partnerships. We should not be afraid to learn from others. The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters was modelled after the award-winning Better Tent City. The Region of Waterloo has a strategy to build 10,000 housing units and 3000 rent-geared-to-income rentals at half the market price. The key driver of this project is the local Habitat for Humanity group.I have suggested on several occasions the need for a Summit on Housing that would call together all three levels of government, builders, Non-government agencies, unions, academics and select others to work TOGETHER to define a way forward.
Simply put, it's an issue of supply and demand. We need to do all we can to lower the cost of land and building supplies, continue to ensure our skilled tradespeople have projects to work on, train additional tradespeople, manage interest rates through special incentives, lower development charges, simplify our complex regulatory regimes and consider a National Housing Allowance that would enable people to compete in the rental market. Clearly, the City of Hamilton can not solve the matrix of housing and homelessness issues on its own. We will only solve the complex housing riddle by employing the 4-'I's,
a combination of Imagination, Innovation, Independent Thinking and Integrity.
3.What are the most prominent or recurring issues facing Ward 15 at present, and how are you working to address them through your role on Council?
On the Ward front, people have long seen our Ward 15 community as a 'fly over zone', especially those in our rural areas. I have always believed in making decisions based on evidence, supported by principle and designed to achieve the greatest good. While it's important to try not to be parochial when it comes to city matters, it is also necessary to be practical and focused as relates local community issues. I try to stay focused by Active Listening to Learn, and Learning in order to Act.
Aristotle once said "if you want to know if the shoe fits, ask the person who wears it, not the person who made it." I often wonder how many great ideas never get acted upon because nobody hears them. The most helpful resource available for me as a Councillor has been the 40 member Community Council that meets every six weeks. I stay informed through this Council and its three sub-committees: Accessibility, Public Safety and Community Development. 54% of all the emails and phone calls I receive relate to public safety; street conditions, speeding, stop signs, speed cushions, potholes and the like.
My team and I try to respond to all constituent contacts within 24 hours. We have been able to do so 97% of the time.I stay focused on the planning for a Police/Fire/EMS Compound, our new and first Public Recreation Centre, working to ensure the arrival of a new Public School, the provision of Neighbourhood Parks and major capital road works, including the long-delayed completion of the Waterdown Bypass and initiating local projects.
4.The following quote is from former mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis in an interview with The Hamiltonian:
“I had a deep sense of optimism for this term of council… The reality is that the progress many of us had hoped for hasn't happened. Several people have privately voiced concerns about a lack of cohesion and increasing divisions within City Hall. The culture has only gotten worse, preventing real transformation from taking root… Hamiltonians deserve a City Hall that works for them, not against itself.”
Do you believe this is a fair assessment? Which aspects of this observation resonate with you, and where would you respectfully disagree?
As for you quote from Keanin Loomis, I know him well. He loves our city and laments, like many, when we struggle with the task of city building. While I agree that expectations for this Council were high, there are many barriers to transformation of what Keanin describes as a dysfunctional political culture. Our 14% industrial/commercial to 86% residential assessment ratio, is our most serious challenge, and one that clearly mitigates negatively on residential taxpayers, who predictably remain concerned about value received for their tax dollars. (eg. two residential properties with the same assessed value, one in Toronto, Halton or Mississauga, with a more balanced assessment ratio, would pay 30% less in residential taxes than the Hamilton home, the result of Hamilton's warped assessment ratio).
Trust, transparency and collaboration are words thrown around far too loosely. Many Councillors try to disagree without being disagreeable, an admirable trait that allows Council for the most part to stay on track. But things often do get tense. One final observation, the ever present intrusion of the Provincial government on traditional municipal matters -- everything from the granting of Super Mayor powers to urban boundaries to the lack of protection of prime agricultural lands, wetlands and heritage forests has made local planning protocols difficult to understand while generally contributing to a growing public cynicism of municipal governance.
5. Provincial mandates to expand housing supply have led Hamilton to extend its urban boundary—sparking concern among residents about the potential loss of farmland and sensitive ecosystems in areas like Flamborough. Do you share these concerns? If so, what actions are you taking to protect Ward 15’s rural character and environmental assets, and what sustainable development principles will you advocate moving forward?
I appreciate questions 5,6 and 7 as they draw attention to intergovernmental, agricultural, environmental and rural issues. I was fortunate enough to team directly with Ontario Minister John Gerretson to establish Ontario's Green Belt, the world's largest legislatively protected green space, farmland, forests, wetlands and watersheds. It remains a signature achievement and one to be both celebrated and protected.
Our Agri-food sector, is the largest contributor to Ontario's Gross Domestic Product and employs some 814,000 Ontarians. Our farmers proudly produce the best-tasting, most nutritious and safest to consume food in the world. In the Hamilton area, Agriculture is a $2 Billion a year enterprise. There is an urgent need to protect our Prime Class 1,2 and 3 growing lands. Here we see a situation with clearly competing goods: development vs. the preservation of our agricultural sector.
6. Ward 15 includes both the fast-growing urban centre of Waterdown and the smaller, more rural communities of Carlisle, Millgrove, and others. What are you doing to foster open communication, transparency, and genuine engagement with residents across these distinct areas so they remain informed and feel heard?
Ward 15 is one of the fastest growing areas of our city. With this growth comes new challenges. I try to keep on top of things though our hard-working volunteer Community Council, an active social media presence and by attending as many community events as possible. As a former bookstore owner, I'm really enjoying my time as a member of Hamilton's Library Board. I also relate to the business community as a member of the Waterdown BIA and have partnered with the BIA as a supporter of our terrific farmer's market, open every Saturday, in season at the Waterdown Legion.
7. Representing a largely rural ward within a predominantly urban city presents unique challenges. How do you ensure that the interests and priorities of Flamborough are not lost in broader city-wide decision-making? Can you share an example of how you’ve effectively advocated for a rural-focused issue at Council?
One cannot represent a largely rural Ward without being a strong advocate for your rural and agricultural constituents. Farmers Feed Cities but they also need to be and feel a part of the city. I'm an active supporter of local farm markets and refuse to buy anything in a grocery store that is not grown in Ontario. Saturday mornings involve supporting the Waterdown Farmers Market and several local farm
stops in Flamborough.
Connecting means taking the time to proactively listen to concerns. I'm engaged with both the Hamilton Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory group and my own smaller Ward-based agricultural group. We invest a lot of time reviewing issues like Urban Boundaries. the state of rural roads and how best to support farms, through the Migrants Matter group, the 1000+ migrant workers that are so vital in maintaining farm sustainability.
8. How would you describe your leadership and working style as a city councillor? What approach do you take when collaborating with your Council colleagues and the Mayor, especially in situations where consensus is difficult to achieve?
My concept of leadership is fairly straight forward. Leadership is not about being in charge but rather about how you work and support those within your charge. I'm well beyond trying to score political debating points. I don't need to speak on every issue around the Council horseshoe, the meetings are long enough already, without adding a deeper darkness to a night often devoid of stars.
It's important to listen, be collaborative and offer practical suggestions that can move us forward. I've discovered it better to simply speak truth than to utter words you believe others may want to hear. On matters of principle, I generally stand like a rock, while on matters of taste, I tend to flow with the stream. On those rare occasions when I need to be critical of a colleague, I handle discussions privately.
I try to use life experiences in discussions and enjoy telling stories to make a point. This can be both my strength and weakness. It's important to remember that not everyone around the Council horseshoe, including me, is the smartest person in the room and that in the long-run, none of us is as smart as all of us. I subscribe to the Harvard model of leadership referred to as A.I.M.E = Affirm, Inspire, Motivate and Equip which has served as the foundation of my leadership style.
9. Can you share a moment in your tenure when you felt you made a meaningful difference in the lives of your constituents? What was the issue, what role did you play, and what change or impact resulted?
Two particular issues have required bold advocacy. Hamilton's new Stormwater Fee has been very controversial. While citizens with access to Hamilton Water will pay a net $36 per year (9 cents a day) stormwater fee, those on septic systems and no connection to Hamilton water will be required to pay a fee over $200 a year. This is neither fair nor equitable. The Provincial Minister of Agriculture wrote to the Mayor requesting the 'working farms' be exempted from the fee - a plea that was ignored by Council. Environment Hamilton also requested that a farm exemption be considered.
Fast forward: MPP Donna Skelly has promised to deliver a needed exemption through Provincial legislation for working farms and rural residents not receiving Hamilton water. I'm optimistic this may happen.
A personal advocacy engagement involved building an ad hoc coalition of rural Councillors in support of Interval House, the agency that carries responsibility for assisting rural residents and families experiencing domestic gender violence - an issue City Council had previously declared to be a 'crisis. Together we successfully secured $250,000 of non tax dollars to support the agency.
10. Looking ahead to the end of your current term, how do you envision Ward 15? What tangible changes or improvements would you like residents to see that reflect the work you’ve done during your time in office?
Looking ahead to the end of this term, my hope is that our growing Ward 15 community, can more successfully articulate the need for engagement in city building. Waterdown in particular has become a far more ethnically and culturally diverse community.We have lessons to learn about acceptance, living together and merging our best angels to build a stronger, more caring compassionate and sustainable community. Our city and the Ward 15 community has many challenges and opportunities. Building the community and city we desire will require participants, not spectators.
Hopefully the Ward Community Council will continue to engage and become an even stronger working group, continuing to foster needed change.
Respectfully,
Ted McMeekin, Councillor for Flamborough Waterdown Carlisle and Millgrove, Ward 15.
The Councillor ended with providing the following quote:
"The work continues, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.' (Senator Robert F. Kennedy, 1968)
Over the years I have had the privilege of working with many people dedicated to public service. People interested in contesting for elected office often ask for advice. My general response to your question is as follows:
* get to know your turf. Define and focus on issues that concern people and you. It helps if you can identify what is broken and how you intend to fix it.
* be BOLD - do your homework and treat everyone you meet with respect.
* Decide what it is that you want to achieve and how best to communicate it
* Be reminded that while ability is important, hard work on-the-ground is even more important.
* No one wants to be led by a pessimist. Try to keep your message both clear and positive.
* Politics is about addition, not subtraction. You will need to build ad hoc issue-based coalitions to be successful.
* Always tell people the truth and not just what you believe they may want to hear, and finally
* Recognize that it is often better to give people a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind.
2. Homelessness remains one of Hamilton’s most pressing social issues. In your opinion, what strategies or initiatives is the city getting right in addressing homelessness, and where might you suggest we rethink or refine our approach to achieve better outcomes?
Building housing and responding to the challenges of homelessness is complex. It would help immensely if we had a ''shared sense of purpose", focused on developing partnerships. We should not be afraid to learn from others. The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters was modelled after the award-winning Better Tent City. The Region of Waterloo has a strategy to build 10,000 housing units and 3000 rent-geared-to-income rentals at half the market price. The key driver of this project is the local Habitat for Humanity group.I have suggested on several occasions the need for a Summit on Housing that would call together all three levels of government, builders, Non-government agencies, unions, academics and select others to work TOGETHER to define a way forward.
Simply put, it's an issue of supply and demand. We need to do all we can to lower the cost of land and building supplies, continue to ensure our skilled tradespeople have projects to work on, train additional tradespeople, manage interest rates through special incentives, lower development charges, simplify our complex regulatory regimes and consider a National Housing Allowance that would enable people to compete in the rental market. Clearly, the City of Hamilton can not solve the matrix of housing and homelessness issues on its own. We will only solve the complex housing riddle by employing the 4-'I's,
a combination of Imagination, Innovation, Independent Thinking and Integrity.
3.What are the most prominent or recurring issues facing Ward 15 at present, and how are you working to address them through your role on Council?
Aristotle once said "if you want to know if the shoe fits, ask the person who wears it, not the person who made it." I often wonder how many great ideas never get acted upon because nobody hears them. The most helpful resource available for me as a Councillor has been the 40 member Community Council that meets every six weeks. I stay informed through this Council and its three sub-committees: Accessibility, Public Safety and Community Development. 54% of all the emails and phone calls I receive relate to public safety; street conditions, speeding, stop signs, speed cushions, potholes and the like.
My team and I try to respond to all constituent contacts within 24 hours. We have been able to do so 97% of the time.I stay focused on the planning for a Police/Fire/EMS Compound, our new and first Public Recreation Centre, working to ensure the arrival of a new Public School, the provision of Neighbourhood Parks and major capital road works, including the long-delayed completion of the Waterdown Bypass and initiating local projects.
4.The following quote is from former mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis in an interview with The Hamiltonian:
“I had a deep sense of optimism for this term of council… The reality is that the progress many of us had hoped for hasn't happened. Several people have privately voiced concerns about a lack of cohesion and increasing divisions within City Hall. The culture has only gotten worse, preventing real transformation from taking root… Hamiltonians deserve a City Hall that works for them, not against itself.”
Do you believe this is a fair assessment? Which aspects of this observation resonate with you, and where would you respectfully disagree?
As for you quote from Keanin Loomis, I know him well. He loves our city and laments, like many, when we struggle with the task of city building. While I agree that expectations for this Council were high, there are many barriers to transformation of what Keanin describes as a dysfunctional political culture. Our 14% industrial/commercial to 86% residential assessment ratio, is our most serious challenge, and one that clearly mitigates negatively on residential taxpayers, who predictably remain concerned about value received for their tax dollars. (eg. two residential properties with the same assessed value, one in Toronto, Halton or Mississauga, with a more balanced assessment ratio, would pay 30% less in residential taxes than the Hamilton home, the result of Hamilton's warped assessment ratio).
Trust, transparency and collaboration are words thrown around far too loosely. Many Councillors try to disagree without being disagreeable, an admirable trait that allows Council for the most part to stay on track. But things often do get tense. One final observation, the ever present intrusion of the Provincial government on traditional municipal matters -- everything from the granting of Super Mayor powers to urban boundaries to the lack of protection of prime agricultural lands, wetlands and heritage forests has made local planning protocols difficult to understand while generally contributing to a growing public cynicism of municipal governance.
5. Provincial mandates to expand housing supply have led Hamilton to extend its urban boundary—sparking concern among residents about the potential loss of farmland and sensitive ecosystems in areas like Flamborough. Do you share these concerns? If so, what actions are you taking to protect Ward 15’s rural character and environmental assets, and what sustainable development principles will you advocate moving forward?
I appreciate questions 5,6 and 7 as they draw attention to intergovernmental, agricultural, environmental and rural issues. I was fortunate enough to team directly with Ontario Minister John Gerretson to establish Ontario's Green Belt, the world's largest legislatively protected green space, farmland, forests, wetlands and watersheds. It remains a signature achievement and one to be both celebrated and protected.
Our Agri-food sector, is the largest contributor to Ontario's Gross Domestic Product and employs some 814,000 Ontarians. Our farmers proudly produce the best-tasting, most nutritious and safest to consume food in the world. In the Hamilton area, Agriculture is a $2 Billion a year enterprise. There is an urgent need to protect our Prime Class 1,2 and 3 growing lands. Here we see a situation with clearly competing goods: development vs. the preservation of our agricultural sector.
Case in point: the proposal to extend Hamilton's Urban Boundary into the Elfrida area, will remove 1200 hectares of prime agriculture lands. Once that land is developed, it will be gone forever. Suggestion: the Province should work with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers to identify and allow the opportunity to build/develop on any Class 4 agricultural lands while declaring an absolute freeze on all Class 1,2 and 3 lands.
6. Ward 15 includes both the fast-growing urban centre of Waterdown and the smaller, more rural communities of Carlisle, Millgrove, and others. What are you doing to foster open communication, transparency, and genuine engagement with residents across these distinct areas so they remain informed and feel heard?
Ward 15 is one of the fastest growing areas of our city. With this growth comes new challenges. I try to keep on top of things though our hard-working volunteer Community Council, an active social media presence and by attending as many community events as possible. As a former bookstore owner, I'm really enjoying my time as a member of Hamilton's Library Board. I also relate to the business community as a member of the Waterdown BIA and have partnered with the BIA as a supporter of our terrific farmer's market, open every Saturday, in season at the Waterdown Legion.
7. Representing a largely rural ward within a predominantly urban city presents unique challenges. How do you ensure that the interests and priorities of Flamborough are not lost in broader city-wide decision-making? Can you share an example of how you’ve effectively advocated for a rural-focused issue at Council?
One cannot represent a largely rural Ward without being a strong advocate for your rural and agricultural constituents. Farmers Feed Cities but they also need to be and feel a part of the city. I'm an active supporter of local farm markets and refuse to buy anything in a grocery store that is not grown in Ontario. Saturday mornings involve supporting the Waterdown Farmers Market and several local farm
stops in Flamborough.
Connecting means taking the time to proactively listen to concerns. I'm engaged with both the Hamilton Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory group and my own smaller Ward-based agricultural group. We invest a lot of time reviewing issues like Urban Boundaries. the state of rural roads and how best to support farms, through the Migrants Matter group, the 1000+ migrant workers that are so vital in maintaining farm sustainability.
8. How would you describe your leadership and working style as a city councillor? What approach do you take when collaborating with your Council colleagues and the Mayor, especially in situations where consensus is difficult to achieve?
My concept of leadership is fairly straight forward. Leadership is not about being in charge but rather about how you work and support those within your charge. I'm well beyond trying to score political debating points. I don't need to speak on every issue around the Council horseshoe, the meetings are long enough already, without adding a deeper darkness to a night often devoid of stars.
It's important to listen, be collaborative and offer practical suggestions that can move us forward. I've discovered it better to simply speak truth than to utter words you believe others may want to hear. On matters of principle, I generally stand like a rock, while on matters of taste, I tend to flow with the stream. On those rare occasions when I need to be critical of a colleague, I handle discussions privately.
I try to use life experiences in discussions and enjoy telling stories to make a point. This can be both my strength and weakness. It's important to remember that not everyone around the Council horseshoe, including me, is the smartest person in the room and that in the long-run, none of us is as smart as all of us. I subscribe to the Harvard model of leadership referred to as A.I.M.E = Affirm, Inspire, Motivate and Equip which has served as the foundation of my leadership style.
9. Can you share a moment in your tenure when you felt you made a meaningful difference in the lives of your constituents? What was the issue, what role did you play, and what change or impact resulted?
Two particular issues have required bold advocacy. Hamilton's new Stormwater Fee has been very controversial. While citizens with access to Hamilton Water will pay a net $36 per year (9 cents a day) stormwater fee, those on septic systems and no connection to Hamilton water will be required to pay a fee over $200 a year. This is neither fair nor equitable. The Provincial Minister of Agriculture wrote to the Mayor requesting the 'working farms' be exempted from the fee - a plea that was ignored by Council. Environment Hamilton also requested that a farm exemption be considered.
Fast forward: MPP Donna Skelly has promised to deliver a needed exemption through Provincial legislation for working farms and rural residents not receiving Hamilton water. I'm optimistic this may happen.
A personal advocacy engagement involved building an ad hoc coalition of rural Councillors in support of Interval House, the agency that carries responsibility for assisting rural residents and families experiencing domestic gender violence - an issue City Council had previously declared to be a 'crisis. Together we successfully secured $250,000 of non tax dollars to support the agency.
10. Looking ahead to the end of your current term, how do you envision Ward 15? What tangible changes or improvements would you like residents to see that reflect the work you’ve done during your time in office?
Looking ahead to the end of this term, my hope is that our growing Ward 15 community, can more successfully articulate the need for engagement in city building. Waterdown in particular has become a far more ethnically and culturally diverse community.We have lessons to learn about acceptance, living together and merging our best angels to build a stronger, more caring compassionate and sustainable community. Our city and the Ward 15 community has many challenges and opportunities. Building the community and city we desire will require participants, not spectators.
Hopefully the Ward Community Council will continue to engage and become an even stronger working group, continuing to foster needed change.
Respectfully,
Ted McMeekin, Councillor for Flamborough Waterdown Carlisle and Millgrove, Ward 15.
The Councillor ended with providing the following quote:
"The work continues, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.' (Senator Robert F. Kennedy, 1968)
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