After 8- with Ward 8 Councillor Candidate Caleb Bosveld

As we continue with our After 8 coverage of Ward 8 Councillor candidates, enjoy our chat with Caleb Bosveld

What do you believe are the greatest challenges that face Ward 8, and what will you do to address them?

People have lost trust in City Hall. They've lost trust in the City's ability to manage taxpayer money, to get things done, to deal with pressing issues like crime and affordability and homelessness. Ward 8 has seen significant increases in property and violent crime over the past few years. Property taxes keep rising and yet it seems the condition of City infrastructure and services is always deteriorating. We see scandal after scandal at City Hall - from sewage spills, to the Red Hill, to cybercrime, to tiny shelters - and it doesn't seem anyone is being held accountable for the millions and millions of dollars involved.

I would propose that councillors be docked pay for missing meetings - there have been meetings which couldn't proceed due to lack of quorum, and that needs to change. When the rest of us don't show up for work, we don't get paid. It's time to use the same approach for councillors.

I would oppose any budget that increases property taxes above the rate of inflation. Hamilton's taxes are already among the highest in the region in relation to household income. Those increases can't continue.

I would work with police and social services to address the growing crime problem - and consider rebuilding Neighbourhood Watch programs in our communities.

Beyond the needs of Ward 8, what are some city wide initiatives or problems the city is facing more broadly, that you hope to help address? How would you contribute to the resolution to those problems?

There is a general accountability problem at City Hall and that affects the whole city. Public safety issues also impact the entire city. See my comments to question one above.

Another city-wide problem is that faced by unhoused individuals. It's a problem for these individuals but also creates problems for those impacted by encampments and the strain on social and emergency services caused by homelessness. We need to do a better job of tapping into the expertise and experience of local non-profits who deal with chronic homelessness. The City is not renowned for its ability to get things done. Instead of spending millions on temporary tiny shelters on contaminated land, we could ask local organizations to use that kind of funding to create real housing solutions. The current homelessness crisis doesn't just impact unhoused people - it impacts people who want to use our parks, it impacts public safety, it impacts our emergency services and hospital emergency rooms. Having people living in parks and encampments is not a compassionate or effective solution, and neither is chasing them from place to place. We need permanent, supportive housing.

3. There are many people running for the position of Ward 8 Councillor. What do you offer that makes you the best pick?

I'm young, energetic, have new ideas, and represent a generation whose voice is often ignored at City Hall. Younger residents suffer disproportionately from City challenges like unemployment, housing costs, and crime - and those residents deserve a voice. I am not looking for a part-time gig or a retirement hobby - I am ready and willing to dedicate 100% of my time to the role of Councillor, and Ward 8 deserves that kind of commitment. 

Some candidates are not even from the Ward. A lot of candidates are recycled politicians or political operatives - they do this time and time again. I'm in favour of recycling, but if we're unhappy with the state of affairs in Hamilton, we shouldn't keep recycling the same names and faces. It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. We can't keep electing people from the same old tired group and expect that things will somehow change. Real change starts with electing someone new, and that's me.

4. Is there anything else you would like people to know about you , your campaign and how to reach you?

We have an amazing city with a diverse and resilient population. I sometimes compare it to a beautiful old home with intricate woodwork, high ceilings, and ornate windows. But the roof is leaking, some rooms smell funny, there's a broken window, and there's a bylaw officer chasing a man around a tent on the front lawn. We need to restore Hamilton to its full potential, and that starts with voting for change in Ward 8.

People can reach me at bosveldforward8@gmail.com or on social media @bosveldforward8 (X, Instagram, Facebook). Reach out to me with questions, concerns, or to request a lawn sign or to volunteer.

I'm proud to be from Ward 8, for Ward 8, and it would be a privilege to represent the residents of this community.