With Mayor Andrea Horwath

Mayor Andrea Horwath

Enjoy our interview with Mayor Andrea Horwath. The questions we posed to the Mayor are presented first, and,  as she elected to respond to the questions in narrative form rather than to each individual question, we have included her complete response.

Thank-you Mayor Horwath for engaging with Hamiltonians through The Hamiltonian! 

1. 1 Given Hamilton's deep-rooted history in steel production, the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump poses a significant challenge to the local economy, particularly for those employed in the steel and related industries. What strategies has the City of Hamilton implemented to protect local workers and mitigate the economic impact of these tariffs?
   
   2 Homelessness remains a pressing issue in Hamilton, with encampments and modular housing prevalent. While some view encampments as a temporary necessity, others argue they fail to uphold human dignity and the right to safe, long-term housing. What is the city’s strategy in addressing homelessness, and how do you balance immediate relief efforts with sustainable housing solutions? How does human dignity factor into these considerations?
   
   3 The expanded powers granted to strong mayors have sparked significant debate. In your view, under what circumstances would you consider exercising these powers, and how do you see them impacting governance in Hamilton?
   
   4 Andrea Horwath is sometimes characterized as a fiery leader who is vocal and unyielding when advocating for her beliefs on how best to govern. This may be reminiscent of your time as leader of the NDP. Since becoming Hamilton’s Mayor, people may have noticed a more settled approach. Is this a fair observation and to the extent it is, do you recognize this change in style and what accounts for it?
   
   5 Gun violence and crime have been growing concerns in Hamilton. While increased police funding is often seen as a solution, some suggest it does not always correlate with crime reduction. Has the city established clear metrics or accountability measures with Hamilton Police Services to ensure that increased funding leads to tangible improvements in public safety?
   
   6 Hamilton has experienced firsthand the significant disruptions caused by cyberattacks. Recovery efforts following the attack on the city’s systems have been lengthy, with ongoing service delays cited as a result. What steps has Hamilton taken to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure, and why did the city’s technical systems not have sufficient backup capabilities to ensure a more rapid recovery?
   
   7 Looking back on your tenure as Mayor, what do you consider to be your most significant accomplishments so far? Conversely, what have been your greatest challenges, and how are you working to address them?
   
   8 Hamilton’s City Council includes both experienced politicians and newly elected representatives. Without naming individuals, what advice would you offer to council members to help them grow as effective representatives of the community?
   
   9 Throughout Hamilton’s history, there have been many influential political and civic leaders. Is there a particular individual who has inspired your leadership style, and if so, what qualities do you admire most in them?
   
   10 A thriving city requires a clear and forward-thinking vision. As Mayor, what is your vision for Hamilton’s future, and what key priorities will guide the city’s growth and development in the years ahead? In other words, what is next for Hamilton?
   
   From The Mayor's Media Contact

I have included below links to recent statements and press releases that contain information you’re seeking

Tariffs:

https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/news-notices/news-releases/mayor-andrea-horwath-lead-hamiltons-advocacy-against-us

https://investinhamilton.ca/

Addressing Homelessness and Affordable Housing:

https://www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/housing-shelter/preventing-ending-homelessness/city-hamilton-encampment-protocol

 Mayor Horwath's reply:

It was crucial to establish a clear direction for our city’s future. To that end, setting the first-ever Term of Council Priorities, building partnerships, and taking action has been my focus. We have taken a Team Hamilton approach - where community partners, businesses, residents, and elected representatives collaborate to move our city forward.

I have been a strong and proud advocate for all Hamiltonians, making sure their voices are heard at every level of government; and as demonstrated, I am fully committed to getting things done. Hamiltonians deserve no less from their Mayor and Council.

We’ve seen significant achievements. When I became Mayor, I immediately focused on some big projects that had been languishing for years. The John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport lease renewal had been a work in progress for 8 years. I made it a priority to get this done, and in the fall of 2024 I signed the $400 million lease agreement on behalf of the city. Our airport continues to be Canada’s largest domestic overnight express cargo airport and a crucial link in Canada’s supply chain resiliency. It has been, and will continue to be, a key driver of our city’s global competitiveness, economic growth, and long-term  prosperity.

Through my continued advocacy with the Premier and several Ministers, we moved the LRT project into its next phase. In early November 2024, the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, officially announced the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for our LRT and reaffirmed that the Hamilton LRT remains a priority rapid transit project for the province.

The LRT is the very definition of city-building and will fundamentally transform how we connect, move, and grow as a city, while also facilitating the replacement of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of aging underground water and wastewater infrastructure, positioning Hamilton as a forward-looking, connected city.

I am thrilled to share the Hamilton Arena Project construction is well underway. This $280 million investment is projected to be completed on time (Fall of 2025) and will elevate Hamilton’s concert, and entertainment profile to world-class status. The former FirstOntario Centre is being transformed into a state-of-the-art venue for premium music, sports, and entertainment - the transformation so far, is nothing short of incredible.

A critical issue I have focused on is the housing and homelessness crisis. Until recently, the City of Hamilton had no clear housing plan. Understanding the intentional and strategic focus this required, we took action by establishing the Housing Secretariat and Housing Sustainability and Investment Roadmap. The City now has a plan that is helping us address the crisis in the short term as well as developing long- term, sustainable housing solutions for Hamiltonians.

I want to underscore that this crisis is not unique to Hamilton; it is a humanitarian crisis that our entire country is facing. I will continue my advocacy - we need support from all levels of government - but we also need to look at ways to remove roadblocks to get housing built. We continue to work with CN Rail to find a way forward on the Jamesville development. It is unacceptable that this former City Housing Hamilton complex has been decaying for more than seven long years while hundreds of people are unhoused.

Last year, we also faced a challenge no one anticipated; a devastating cyber-attack that impacted our city’s operations. Rather than just recovering, we are using this opportunity to re-envision and transform our systems and processes, allowing us to prioritize innovation, customer service and modernization in ways that truly benefit Hamiltonians.

I have taken steps to improve transparency, access, and accountability at City Hall. One of my commitments was to establish a taskforce to address concerns about access to information and accountability. After a year of engagement, the Mayor’s Task Force on Transparency, Access, and Accountability will soon present its findings and recommendations to Council.

The 2025 Budget focused on balancing the needs of our city with the economic realities that Hamiltonians face. Rather than setting an arbitrary budget target that risks underfunding critical programs and infrastructure - a practice of past councils which has left us with a serious infrastructure deficit to manage - I have asked staff instead to present a range of clear options to consider. These options must strike a balance between the significant demands facing our city and the impact on property taxes for Hamiltonians.

The process for adopting the Municipal Budget is outlined in the Municipal Act, which was amended by the Provincial Government through the "Strong Mayor" legislation. This legislation includes the mayor’s role, including the power of veto, in the budget process. Hamilton City Council was provided this information, and it was discussed at length.

While the 2025 Budget process followed this updated framework, it remained similar to past budgets in that Councillors proposed amendments to the GIC (budget), and then Council, as a whole, decided which amendments passed or failed. As required, all amendments had to comply with the legislation. As Mayor, I upheld every amendment passed by Council and did not veto a single one.

I have used my strong mayor powers to hire our current City Manager, however I established an advisory panel comprised of chairs of committees plus two citizens.

Additionally, I have directed staff to proceed with the disposition of city surplus property at 5 and 13 Lake Avenue for the creation of affordable housing. The staff recommendation to do so was defeated with a tie vote by council. Considering the affordable housing crisis we have, and our council's unanimous support to address it on many occasions, I am absolutely confident the decision to use the Strong Mayor Powers was in the best interest of our city. I have been very circumspect about the use of these powers and will continue to be so.

As we look forward, I remain committed to bringing a new tone in leadership - one that is focused on respect, collaboration, and inclusivity for every Hamiltonian, and delivering on my commitment to get things done. This is a time of transformation in Hamilton. This past October brought us to the half-way mark for this term of council, and two years in, we are making progress on big files that have been stagnant for too many years. I am proud of our city – where I was born, raised and continue to live in today - and of everyone that is working hard to implement positive change.

It’s an honour to serve as your mayor, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

Andrea Horwath – Mayor, City of Hamilton

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